NAVAL AVIATION SAFETY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS 2000 NAVY PENTAGON WASHINGTO N, DC 20350-2000 OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3750.6T From: Chief of Naval Operations Subj: NAVAL AVIATION SAFETY PROGRAM Ref: (a) OPNAV M-3750.6 of 24 October 2024 (b) DoD Instruction 6055.07 of 06 June 2011 (c) SECNAVINST 5100.l0L (d) OPNAVINST 5102.lE/MCO 5100.29C (e) OPNAV M-5100.23 of 5 September 2023 (f) DoD Instruction 5200.48 of 6 March 2020 (g) SECNA VINST 5510.36B 1. Purpose OPNAVINST 3750.6T N09F 24 Oct 2024 a. To issue U.S. Navy policies, guidelines, procedures and responsibilities for the implementation of the Naval Aviation Safety Program. This instruction , and the accompanying manual in reference (a), implement the requirements ofreferences (b) and (c). b. The policies, guidelines, procedures and responsibilities contained in this instruction and reference (a) represent a significant revision from their predecessors and must be reviewed in their entirety. A non-exhaustive list of major changes to the previous policy are briefly summarized in subparagraphs 1 b(l) through 1 b(l 9). (1) An accompanying manual (reference (a)) has been created that contains the detailed guidelines, procedures and responsibilities for the Naval Aviation Safety Program. Note: The safety investigation and reporting policy for non-aviation events are not covered in either this instruction or reference (a). Instead, the policy for mishap s or events not involving a defined naval aircraft are covered in reference (d). (2) References to the Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECEN) have been removed and replaced with the Naval Safety Command (NA VSAFECOM). (3) Removed reference to the Web-Enabled Safety System (WESS). Instead, the Risk Management Information (RMI) program of record is used throughout the updated instruction. RMI is the Department of the Navy (DON) web-based database application for safety reporting and is the only authorized application for reporting and recording mishaps, hazards (to include near misses) and safety incidents in the DON. This new program ofrecord is referred to in this
OPNAVINST 3750.6T 24 Oct 2024 instruction and in reference (a) as either the "Risk Management Information," "Risk Management Information Program of Record," "RMI POR" or "RMI." (4) Explained the linkage of the Naval Aviation Safety Program to the Naval Safety Management System. ( 5) Explain the changes to the safety assessment process. ( 6) Expand the guidance to air station or facility A via ti on Safety Officers and commanders. (7) Updated mishap class cost thresholds and define the new Class E mishap category. (8) Differentiated and more thoroughly explained the roles of aircraft controlling custodian and convening authority. (9) Established the role of the accounting organization and explained the relationship of the accounting organization to the reporting custodian. ( 10) Modified the mishap endorsement process incorporating concurrent endorsements to expedite the finalization of safety investigation reports. (11) Formalized and improved the process and procedures to track both mishap and hazard recommendations so that risk acceptance decisions are made at the right level and documented, archived and reevaluated on a recurring basis in order to align with reference ( d) and comply with references (b) and ( e ). (12) Updated information dissemination control marking requirements for unclassified and classified documents and material that contain privileged safety information per reference ( f) and (g). (13) Modified the Naval Aviation Event Types for clarity and to align with the RMI system requirements. (14) Updated numerous mishap exemptions for clarity and removed the unknown foreign object damage exemption. (15) Provided additional unmanned aerial systems (UAS) guidance to standardize investigation and reporting ofUAS and Small UAS mishaps and hazards. (16) Provided additional guidance for physiological episode and physiological event investigation and reporting. 2
OPNAVINST 3750.6T 24 Oct 2024 (17) Expanded the aircraft controlling custodian's authority to delegate Class C mishaps. (I 8) Expanded the single investigating officer's authority to investigate Class C Bird, Animal Aircraft Strike Hazard, Wildlife Strike and Laser Strike mishaps. (I 9) Updated BUMED medical responsibilities and terminology for Defense Health Agency alignment. 2. Cancellation. OPNA VINST 3 750.6S 3. Scope and Applicability. This instruction and reference (a) are applicable to all naval aviation activities, commands, personnel and contractors (i.e., the latter only when under the direct supervision of U.S. Government personnel) which detect, contain or eliminate hazards in naval aviation. Commands are not required to issue an implementing instruction to augment this policy, except for command-unique applications and requirements. 4. Discussion. References (b) and (c) establish DoD and DON requirements for safety investigation and reporting. Reference (a) contains the implementing guidance for all of naval aviation, explaining the responsibilities, requirements, policies to establish a Naval Aviation Safety Program and the procedures to notify, investigate, report and maintain records of all aviation mishaps and hazards. 5. Responsibilities. Reference (a) details each of the roles and responsibilities for the commands listed in subparagraphs 5a through 5n under paragraph I 07. a. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Special Assistant for Safety Matters (CNO N09F)/Commander, Naval Safety Command b. Director, Safety Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (CMC(SD)) c. Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) d. Commander, Naval School of Aviation Safety (NSAS) e. Commands with assigned responsibility as aircraft controlling custodians f. Commanders of Navy and Marine Corps air stations, air facilities and expeditionary airfields g. Commanders of Navy and Marine Corps air wings and air groups h. Commands assigned as a convening authority 3
OPNAVINST 3750.6T 24 Oct 2024 i. Commands assigned as aircraft reporting custodians including commanding officers and officers-in-charge of commands, units and activities j. Individuals assigned as unit government flight representatives , aviation safety officers, aeromedical safety officers, aviation safety specialists and division aviation safety petty officers or non-commissioned officers. k. Individuals assigned responsibility as a senior member or a board member for safety investigations 1. Aircraft and weapons system program managers m. RMI User Administrators n. All naval aviation personnel 6. Action. This instruction and reference (a) are the guiding documents for the Naval Aviation Safety Program to include the mishap and safety investigation process and reporting procedures. All responsible parties will implement these policies. 7. Records Management a. Records created as a result of this instruction, regardless of format or media, must be maintained and dispositioned per the records disposition schedules located on the DON Assistant for Administration, Directives and Records Management Division portal page at https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/DUSNM/DONAAIDRM /Records-and-Information Management/ Approved%20Record%20Schedules /Forms/ Allltems.aspx . b. For questions concerning the management of records related to this instruction or the records disposition schedules, please contact the local records manager or the OPNA V Records Management Program (DNS-16). 8. Review and Effective Date. Per OPNAVINST 5215.17A, CNO N09F will review this instruction annually around the anniversary of its issuance date to ensure applicability, currency and consistency with Federal, Department of Defense, Secretary of the Navy and Navy policy and statutory authority using OPNA V 5215/40 Review of Instruction. This instruction will be in effect for 10 years, unless revised or cancelled in the interim, and will be reissued by the 10-year anniversary date if it is still required, unless it meets one of the exceptions in OPNA VINST 5215 .1 7 A, paragraph 9. Otherwise, if the instruction is no longer required, it will be processed 4
OPNAVINST 3750.6T 24 Oct 2024 for cancellation as soon as the need for cancellation is known following the guidance in OPNA V Manual 5215.1 of May 2016. D. P. MARTIN Special Assistant for Safety Matters Releasability and distribution: This instruction is cleared for public release and is available electronically only via Department of the Navy Issuances website, https://www.secnav.navy.mi l/doni. 5