Department of Transportation

Safety and Security

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is dedicated to preventing air accidents and incidents and providing secure air facilities at New Jersey's public use airports through safety and security measures.

Safety covers aircraft accidents and aircraft incidents and their reporting. Security refers to the guidelines or best practices for general aviation. The "two-lock" system implemented at New Jersey's public use airports is a part of the state's security plan.

An aircraft accident is an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft between the time people board the aircraft with the intention of flight and the time they have all disembarked, during which any person suffers death or serious injury or the aircraft received substantial damage.

An aircraft incident is an occurrence - other than an accident - associated with the operations of an aircraft that directly affects or could affect the safety of operations. All forced landings in New Jersey are considered incidents.

Report for accidents and incidents
An operator of an aircraft or anyone observing an aircraft accident with knowledge that an aircraft accident has just occurred must immediately notify NJDOT's Bureau of Aeronautics through the New Jersey State Police at 609.882.2000, and/or an Aeronautics' Investigator at 609.963.2100 and include this information:
  • location of accident with reference to some easily defined geographical point
  • aircraft registration number, type and nationality
  • pilot's name; owner's name
  • date, time of accident
  • number of persons onboard
  • number killed; those seriously injured and types of injuries
  • the departure/intended landing points of the aircraft
  • the nature of the accident, weather and aircraft damage

If an aircraft incident occurs, notify an NJDOT Aeronautics' Investigator at 609.963.2100 with specifics.

To assist in reporting an accident or an incident, please refer to the Aircraft Accident Procedures Manual. In addition, the reporting forms are available online.

Wildlife Management
If an airport is experiencing operational safety and/or damage issues as a result of wildlife activity, contact the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) Wildlife Services New Jersey office at:

New Jersey Wildlife Services State Director
140-C Locust Grove Road
Pittstown, NJ 08867
908.735.5654 or 1.866.4USDAWS (487.3297)
Fax: 908.735.0821

All wildlife strike incidents should be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) using their online reporting system.

Security

Security measures at New Jersey's public use airports provide protection for passengers and aircraft. The level of security may vary from airport to airport depending upon the location. New Jersey mandates a two-lock system at its airports. For more information, there is a Two-Lock System Frequently Asked Questions section.

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) recommends that federal authorities implement a process of categorizing airports and that minimum security standards be adopted for each category. A full report on general aviation security measures, General Aviation Security (pdf 471k), will help ensure safe and secure operations for the public and airport businesses.

Additionally, a later report of the General Aviation Airport Security Working Group to the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) - Report of the Aviation Advisory Committee Working Group on General Aviation Airports Security (pdf 300k) - reflects a consensus achieved among the aviation community that each airport or landing area has its own requirements.

Key findings of the report involve:

  • pilots and passengers
  • securing aircraft
  • airports and facilities
  • surveillance
  • security plans and communications
  • specialty operations
Security regulations, amendments
The amendments below refer to the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force. The two-lock system is one part of these four amendments.
  • All aircraft parked or stored for more than 24 hours must be secured by a two-lock system. [N.J.A.C. 16:54-5.1]
  • Hangar doors must have working locking devices and be closed and locked when they are unattended. [N.J.A.C. 16:54-5.1]
  • Permanent signs providing emergency contact phone numbers in the immediate vicinity or auto parking areas, main terminal and primary fueling point must be posted. [N.J.A.C. 16:54-9.1]
  • Communications equipment provided by the Bureau of Aeronautics for emergency notification by the Division or law enforcement agencies must be available. [N.J.A.C. 16:54-9.1]


Last updated date: August 12, 2019 9:28 AM