What qualifies as an 'Aircraft Accident'?

An 'Aircraft Accident' is appropriately defined as an occurrence resulting in damage or injury during flight. This includes incidents where the aircraft sustains substantial damage or where there are injuries or fatalities involving the aircraft's occupants or individuals on the ground. The criteria set by aviation authorities, such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), help categorize and assess incidents, ensuring that all necessary factors, including flight phases and circumstances, are taken into consideration.

In distinction, simply involving an aircraft does not provide enough specificity to classify an event as an accident. While takeoff and landing are critical phases of flight, they are just parts of the broader operational envelope of an aircraft; accidents can occur during any phase, not just these operational extremes. Lastly, maintenance-related incidents are considered separately, as they typically pertain to the aircraft's condition and pre-flight safety measures rather than actual flight operations. Therefore, defining an 'Aircraft Accident' in terms of significant negative outcomes during the operation of the aircraft encapsulates the full scope of aviation safety concerns.