Which statement about data sources for safety data is correct?

Which statement about data sources for safety data is correct?

• A. Rely exclusively on reactive data sources.
• B. Rely on a combination of reactive and proactive data sources.
• C. Rely exclusively on proactive data sources.
• D. Do not collect data at all.

Answer: (B)

A complete safety data picture comes from using both reactive and proactive data sources. Reactive data captures what has already happened—incidents, accidents, injuries, and near-misses—and helps you understand actual outcomes and their causes. Proactive data looks ahead: preflight risk assessments, safety observations, audits, hazard reporting, and leading indicators that reveal potential issues before they result in harm. Relying on only reactive data leaves gaps because many risks never materialize into recorded events, while relying only on proactive data might miss how hazards translate into real incidents. By combining both, you gain a fuller, more actionable view: you can analyze past events to improve controls and use proactive insights to prevent future ones, leading to continuous safety improvements in operations like UAS flights.

A complete safety data picture comes from using both reactive and proactive data sources. Reactive data captures what has already happened—incidents, accidents, injuries, and near-misses—and helps you understand actual outcomes and their causes. Proactive data looks ahead: preflight risk assessments, safety observations, audits, hazard reporting, and leading indicators that reveal potential issues before they result in harm. Relying on only reactive data leaves gaps because many risks never materialize into recorded events, while relying only on proactive data might miss how hazards translate into real incidents. By combining both, you gain a fuller, more actionable view: you can analyze past events to improve controls and use proactive insights to prevent future ones, leading to continuous safety improvements in operations like UAS flights.