ASAP Report Statuses
| Status | API Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted | submitted | Report filed by the employee. Awaiting ERC review. |
| Under Review | under_review | The ERC is actively reviewing the report. |
| Accepted | accepted | The ERC determined the event meets MOU criteria. Corrective actions may be assigned. |
| Referred | referred | The event does not meet MOU criteria and is referred to management outside the ASAP program. |
| Corrective Action | corrective_action | Accepted report with active corrective actions in progress. |
| Resolved | resolved | All corrective actions are complete and verified. The report is closed. |
| Withdrawn | withdrawn | The reporter withdrew the report before ERC review. |
Status Transitions
MOU Requirements
A valid ASAP program requires a signed Memorandum of Understanding that defines:| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Parties | Certificate holder, FAA Flight Standards District Office, employee group. |
| Scope | Which employee groups are covered (pilots, dispatchers, maintenance, cabin). |
| Reporting window | Maximum time after an event within which a report must be submitted (typically 24 hours). |
| Exclusion criteria | Events that cannot be accepted (criminal activity, substance abuse, intentional acts, accident). |
| Corrective action types | What actions the ERC can assign (training, counseling, procedure review). |
| Confidentiality | How reporter identity is protected during and after review. |
| Duration and renewal | MOU term length and renewal process. |
Event Review Committee (ERC)
The ERC is the body that reviews ASAP reports and makes acceptance and corrective action decisions. Its composition is defined in the MOU.Standard ERC Composition
| Member | Represents | Role in Review |
|---|---|---|
| Company representative | Certificate holder | Evaluates operational impact, assigns company resources. |
| FAA representative | Flight Standards | Ensures regulatory compliance, may advise on enforcement. |
| Employee representative | Employee group | Advocates for fair treatment, provides operational context. |
ERC Review Criteria
The ERC evaluates each report against these acceptance criteria:- Timeliness — Was the report submitted within the MOU reporting window?
- Inadvertence — Was the event unintentional?
- No criminal activity — Does the event involve criminal conduct?
- No substance abuse — Was the reporter impaired by drugs or alcohol?
- Not an accident — Does the event meet the NTSB definition of an accident?
Regulatory Basis
| Reference | Relevance |
|---|---|
| AC 120-66C | FAA guidance for establishing and operating ASAP programs. |
| 14 CFR 5.25(b) | SMS requirement for voluntary employee safety reporting systems. |
| FAA Order 8900.1 | Inspector guidance for reviewing and approving ASAP MOUs. |
Related
Use the ASAP Program
Submit, review, and resolve ASAP reports.
Manage ASAP
Quick-start guide for ASAP submission and review.
Just Culture Framework
Accountability framework for safety events.
Report Types
All safety report types and their regulatory basis.