FAA Grounds SpaceX Starship for Standard Mishap Investigation

Following a mishap, a FAA-licensed operator is responsible for:

implementing its mishap plan;
activating emergency response services as necessary to protect public safety and property;
containing and minimizing the consequences of a mishap;
preserving data and physical evidence for later investigation;
reporting the mishap to the FAA’s Washington Operations Center; and
filing a preliminary written report to the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation within five (5) days of the event.
What are key elements of a mishap investigation?
A mishap investigation is designed to further enhance public safety. It will determine the root cause of the event and identify corrective actions the operator must implement to avoid a recurrence of the event.

Based on the nature and consequences of the mishap, the FAA may elect to conduct an investigation into the event, or authorize the operator to perform the investigation in accordance with its approved mishap plan.

During an investigation conducted by the operator, the FAA will provide oversight to ensure the operator complies with its mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements. In addition, the FAA will coordinate response planning with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and with Federal launch ranges operated by the U.S. Space Force, as needed.