> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Submit Your First Safety Report

> Walk through submitting a safety report in PlaneConnection -- from navigating to the form, filling in the details, to understanding non-punitive reporting.

By the end of this tutorial, you will have submitted a safety report and received a tracking number you can use to follow its progress.

<Info>
  **Who should do this tutorial?** Everyone in your organization. Pilots, crew, dispatchers,
  maintenance staff, and management should all know how to submit safety reports. Effective safety
  reporting depends on participation from all personnel.
</Info>

## Before you start

Make sure you have:

* An active PlaneConnection account with access to the SMS module
* Logged in to your workspace (see the [Quickstart](/en/tutorials/quickstart) if you need help)

<Note>
  PlaneConnection uses a non-punitive (just culture) reporting policy. You can submit reports
  confidentially or anonymously without fear of disciplinary action. For more on this, see [What is
  Just Culture?](/en/explanation/just-culture).
</Note>

## Submitting the report

<Steps>
  ### Step 1: Navigate to the new report form

  1. Make sure you are in the **Safety** module. Check the module switcher at the top of the sidebar -- it should show "Safety." If it shows "Operations," click the switcher and select **Safety Management System**.
  2. In the sidebar, click **Reports**.
  3. On the Reports page, click the **New Report** button in the upper-right area of the page.

  You are now on the safety report submission form.

  ### Step 2: Choose the report type

  The first thing the form asks for is the **report type**. Select the type that best describes what you are reporting -- options include **Hazard**, **Incident**, **Near Miss**, **Audit Finding**, and **Suggestion**.

  Click the type that applies to your report. You should see it highlighted.

  <Note>
    For definitions of each report type, see the [Report Types reference](/en/reference/report-types).
  </Note>

  ### Step 3: Select a category

  Choose the **category** that best fits the nature of the event or hazard (for example, Flight Operations, Ground Operations, Maintenance, Weather, or Human Factors).

  You should see the category badge appear on the form after you select one.

  <Note>Your safety team can reclassify the category later during review.</Note>

  ### Step 4: Fill in the title and description

  **Title:** Enter a clear, concise title that summarizes the event or hazard (10--200 characters). For example: "Bird strike on departure from KTEB Runway 24".

  **Description:** Provide a detailed account of what happened. Include the who, what, when, where, and how (50--10,000 characters). Cover conditions, actions taken, the outcome, and any contributing factors.

  You should see the rich text editor toolbar above the description field -- use it to add bold, italic, or bullet lists as needed.

  ### Step 5: Set the date and location

  **Date of occurrence:** Select the date and time when the event happened (or when you observed the hazard). This defaults to today, but you can change it to a past date.

  **Location:** Optionally enter a location. This can be an airport identifier (e.g., KJFK), a city name, or a description of the location (e.g., "Hangar 3, north ramp").

  ### Step 6: Add aircraft and flight details (optional)

  If the report is related to a specific aircraft or flight, fill in:

  * **Aircraft tail number:** The registration number of the aircraft involved (e.g., N12345).
  * **Flight number:** The flight number, if applicable.

  These fields are optional, but filling them in helps your safety team link the report to operational data.

  ### Step 7: Assess the initial risk

  Select one **severity** level (1--5) and one **likelihood** level (A--E). You should see the resulting risk score highlighted on the 5x5 matrix.

  Use your best judgment -- your safety team may adjust the rating during their review.

  <Note>
    For the full risk matrix definitions, see the [Risk Matrix reference](/en/reference/risk-matrix).
  </Note>

  ### Step 8: Choose your reporting identity

  At the bottom of the form, select how you want to be identified: **Standard** (name attached), **Confidential** (identity encrypted, visible only to authorized safety managers), or **Anonymous** (no identifying information stored).

  <Tip>
    Standard reporting is recommended when possible. It allows your safety team to ask clarifying
    questions.
  </Tip>

  ### Step 9: Review and submit

  Before submitting, scroll through the form and review your entries:

  * Is the type correct?
  * Is the title clear and specific?
  * Does the description include enough detail?
  * Is the date accurate?
  * Is the risk assessment reasonable?

  When you are satisfied, click the **Submit Report** button.

  <Warning>
    Once submitted, a report cannot be deleted by the reporter. This is by design -- safety reports
    become part of your organization's safety record. You can request edits through your safety
    manager.
  </Warning>

  ### Step 10: Get your tracking number

  After submission, you should see a confirmation screen with your **report number** (e.g., RPT-2026-00042), a **QR code** for quick access, and a confirmation that an email notification has been sent.

  Save your report number. You can track the status of your report at any time by navigating to **Reports > Track Report** in the sidebar.
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Run Your First Investigation" href="/tutorials/first-investigation">
    Learn how safety managers investigate reports and document findings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conduct Your First Risk Assessment" href="/tutorials/first-risk-assessment">
    Learn how to perform a formal risk assessment using the 5x5 matrix.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>