DA Form 2397. Technical Report of US Army Aircraft Accident Part I - Statement of Reviewing Officials

DA Form 2397. Technical Report of US Army Aircraft Accident Part I - Statement of Reviewing Officials

DA Form 2397, also known as the Technical Report of US Army Aircraft Accident Part I - Statement of Reviewing Officials, is a form used by the United States Army to document and investigate aircraft accidents. The main purpose of this form is to provide a detailed account of each official's review of the accident.

The form consists of several parts, including identifying information about the reviewing officials, a summary of the accident, and an analysis of contributing factors. Important fields on the form include the date of the accident, the type of aircraft involved, the location of the accident, and a narrative description of what happened. Additionally, the form requires that each reviewing official provide their recommendations for preventing similar accidents from occurring in the future.

Parties involved in filling out this form include any Army personnel who were involved in the accident or who are responsible for investigating and reviewing it. It is important to consider the accuracy and completeness of all information provided on the form, as this will be critical in determining the cause of the accident and implementing necessary corrective actions.

When filling out the form, data that will be required includes details about the aircraft, its crew, and any equipment or systems involved in the accident. Additionally, any witness statements, photographs, or other supporting documentation should be attached to the form.

Application examples of this form include documenting accidents during training exercises, routine operations, or combat missions. Using this form can help identify areas for improvement in training, equipment, or procedures to prevent future accidents.

Strengths of this form include providing a comprehensive and standardized method for documenting and analyzing aircraft accidents. Weaknesses may include potential delays in completing the form due to the complexity of some accidents and difficulty obtaining all necessary information.

Similar forms include the DA Form 2397-AB, which is used to document aircraft mishap investigations. The key difference between the two forms is that the DA Form 2397-AB is used to investigate and document more serious accidents resulting in significant damage or loss of life.

Submitting the form will depend on the specific unit or command responsible for the investigation. It is typically stored in a central database maintained by the Army to enable tracking and analysis of aircraft accidents over time.

Overall, the DA Form 2397 serves an important role in facilitating the Army's commitment to safety and continuous improvement in its aviation operations.