Abnormal & Emergency Situations
The Remote PIC must be prepared to handle equipment malfunctions, environmental surprises, and full-blown emergencies. This section covers the major failure modes and the reporting requirements that follow.
Emergency Authority
In an in-flight emergency, the Remote PIC may deviate from any Part 107 rule to the extent necessary to meet the emergency. Upon FAA request, you must submit a written report explaining the deviation.
- Become familiar with manufacturer-suggested emergency procedures before flight
- Brief crew members on emergency responsibilities during preflight planning
- Authority to deviate exists only for genuine emergencies — not for convenience
Lost Link (Abnormal — Not Emergency)
A lost link is an interruption or loss of the control link between the control station and the aircraft. The aircraft executes pre-set lost link procedures and behaves predictably.
- Aircraft typically remains airborne in a planned maneuver (hold position, return-to-home) to allow time to reestablish communication
- Some autoland after a predetermined time, or terminate flight when battery is depleted
- A lost link is an abnormal situation, not an emergency — it is not reportable to the NTSB
- Plan a lost-link route of flight that avoids populated areas and obstacles
- Establish communication procedures with crew before launch
Flyaway (Emergency)
A flyaway begins like a lost link, but the aircraft does not execute its pre-set procedures — it operates unpredictably or beyond control. This is a genuine emergency.
- If a flyaway occurs in airspace requiring authorization, notify ATC per the Certificate of Waiver / authorization conditions
- Title 49 Part 830 requires immediate notification of the NTSB for any aircraft flight control system malfunction — a flyaway qualifies
- A lost link does not qualify as an NTSB-reportable event because the aircraft is behaving predictably
Loss of GPS
- GPS is valuable for flight planning and situational awareness, but don't over-rely on automation
- Be prepared to fly the aircraft manually if GPS is lost or degraded
- Check NOTAMs before flight for known GPS service disruptions in your operating area
- Plan to prevent or minimize damage in the event of equipment failure
Battery Fires
Lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries pose a significant hazard. Both are:
- Highly flammable
- Capable of self-ignition during short circuits, overcharging, extreme heat, mishandling, or defects
- Subject to thermal runaway — heat from one cell propagates to adjacent cells, causing them to also fail
During thermal runaway, lithium metal cells can release a flammable electrolyte and molten lithium with a large pressure pulse. Once a battery is in thermal runaway, water alone will not stop it — get away from the aircraft and let it burn out where safe.
Contingency Planning
- Identify alternate landing/recovery sites for use if a precautionary landing is needed away from launch
- Maintain communication with all crew members through descent and landing
- Have a plan for ground operations and securing/parking the aircraft after a contingency landing
- Ensure availability of control stations capable of launch/recovery, communication equipment, and adequate power for all required equipment
- Avoid congested areas to minimize risk to other aircraft and people on the ground
Flight Termination Points (FTPs) — the last-resort option — should:
- Be located within power-off glide distance of the aircraft during all phases of flight
- Be based on the assumption of an unrecoverable system failure
- Account for altitude, winds, and other relevant factors
FAA Accident Reporting (10 Days)
The Remote PIC must report any sUAS accident to the FAA within 10 calendar days (14 CFR § 107.9) if any of these thresholds are met:
- Serious injury to any person, or any loss of consciousness — including hospitalization, head trauma, broken bones, or lacerations requiring suturing
- Property damage to anything other than the small unmanned aircraft, if the cost is greater than $500 to repair or replace (whichever is lower)
NTSB Notification (Immediate)
The 300-pound rule is gone — do not memorise it. Until 2022 an unmanned aircraft accident was defined partly by a maximum gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or greater sustaining substantial damage. That test was replaced (87 FR 42104, 14 July 2022) with whether the aircraft holds an airworthiness certificate. For a typical part 107 aircraft, which holds no airworthiness certificate, that means the injury limb is the one that reaches you. Verified 2026-09-03 against eCFR title 49, issue date 2026-09-01.
Per 49 CFR § 830.5, the NTSB must be notified immediately — not within 10 days — of an aircraft accident or certain serious incidents. Memorize the mnemonic PFACTION:
- Property damage over $25,000 — repair cost or fair market value in a total loss, whichever is less
- Fire, in-flight
- Accident
- Collision, in-flight
- Turbine failure
- Illness of crew member (incapacitating)
- Overdue aircraft
- No control / control failure of any sort
For sUAS specifically, NTSB requires immediate notification when:
- Any person suffers death or serious injury, OR
- the aircraft holds an airworthiness certificate and sustains substantial damage (49 CFR § 830.2, definition of “unmanned aircraft accident”)