JDK wrote:
Oh dear.
Regarding the differences between an 'incident' and 'crash', it's all very well us venting that it gets mis-reported and exaggerated, but it's semantics at the end of the day - For most people it's an 'accident', and any 'accident in aviation' = a crash.
Best way of avoiding the semantics or news scaremongering it not to have the incident at all... Easy to say, harder to do, and vital to be trying.
Regards,
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has very clear definition of what technically constitutes an accident and it is this definition that the investigative agencies (air accident) of most countries use to categorise an occurrence.
Accident- An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, in which (a) a person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of: being in the aircraft; or direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become detached from the aircraft; or direct exposure to jet blast (except when the injuries are from natural causes, self inflicted or inflicted by other persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to the passengers or crew); or (b) the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which: adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft and would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component (except for engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to the engine, its cowlings or accessories; or for damage limited to propellers, wing tips, antennas, tires, brakes, fairings, small dents or puncture holes in the aircraft skin); or (c) the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible. (ICAO Annex 13)
Everything not falling under the definition of an accident is then categorised as an incident. With all this being said, the media will use whatever words they believe will net them the most viewers/listeners/readers, regardless of accuracy. As a general rule, the media never let the truth get in the way of a good story.