Emergencies and accident reporting for Part 107

C. Fly its programmed mission or return home to land, as configured

AC 107-2A explains that in automated flight the flight control inputs come from the onboard autopilot, so if the remote PIC loses the control link the aircraft would continue the programmed mission or return home to land. An immediate motor shutdown is not the described behavior. Hovering until the battery is empty is not the automated response the AC describes, and the pilot should know the configured lost-link action before flight.

Source: AC 107-2A, para 5.2.3

C. One cell in thermal runaway can heat its neighbors into thermal runaway

FAA SAFO 09013 explains that once one cell in a battery pack goes into thermal runaway, it produces enough heat to push adjacent cells into thermal runaway, so the fire can flare repeatedly as each cell ruptures. That is why cooling after extinguishing matters. Drone lithium packs have no fuel reservoir, and the SAFO does not describe a timed flame retardant.

Source: FAA SAFO 09013

A. Online through the FAA, or by phone to a Regional Operations Center

AC 107-2A says the report may be submitted to the appropriate FAA Regional Operations Center electronically or by telephone, and reports may also be made to the responsible Flight Standards office. The NTSB has its own separate notification rules and does not take the place of the FAA report. A manufacturer cannot file the remote PIC's report.

Source: AC 107-2A, para 4.4.1; 14 CFR 107.9

C. A battery fire that requires an immediate landing nearby

AC 107-2A describes an in-flight emergency as an unexpected and unforeseen serious occurrence that requires urgent, prompt action, and a battery fire fits. A client request is not an emergency, and a higher shot would need a waiver or must stay within the rules. Schedule pressure is a planning issue, not an emergency.

Source: AC 107-2A, para 5.18; 14 CFR 107.21

B. On death or serious injury, or substantial damage to an aircraft of 300 lb or more

AC 107-2A paragraph 4.4.2 explains that under 49 CFR part 830 an unmanned aircraft accident involves death or serious injury, or substantial damage to an aircraft of 300 lb or more maximum gross takeoff weight, and requires immediate NTSB notice. The $500 property threshold belongs to the FAA rule in 107.9. The NTSB does cover qualifying drone accidents.

Source: AC 107-2A, para 4.4.2; 49 CFR 830.2

A. No, because damage to the small unmanned aircraft itself does not count toward the reporting threshold

Section 107.9(b) covers damage to property other than the small unmanned aircraft, so the drone's own loss does not trigger a report. With no injury and no other property damaged, nothing meets the 107.9 criteria. Insurance status has no role in the rule.

Source: 14 CFR 107.9(b)

A. No, a client request is not an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action

Section 107.21 applies only to an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, and a client's wish for another shot is not one. Treating any in-flight need as an emergency would defeat the purpose of the rule. A report sent afterward does not turn a planned rule violation into an authorized deviation.

Source: 14 CFR 107.21; 14 CFR 107.31