Update: Carolyn Turner is the new Mishap Investigation program executive; this article now reflects her contact information.

When something goes wrong, swift action is often necessary, especially in the case of a severe mishap or high-visibility mishap or close call. Knowing what to do ahead of these incidents can help in the aftermath. 

Per NPR 8621.1, NASA Procedural Requirements for Mishap and Close Call Reporting, Investigation, and Recordkeeping the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance must be notified within one hour of a Type A or B mishap or a High-Visibility mishap or close call.

“It’s important that we are informed right away in these cases, so information can be quickly related to senior administration officials and we can be prepared to support and respond with the appropriate level of resources,” said Ken O’Connor, Mishap Investigation program executive. 

If a Type A or B mishap or High-Visibility mishap or close call occurs, it should be reported by calling the NASA mishap notification number If the mishap notification number is not answered, personnel should begin contacting the following individuals (in this order):

• Ken O’Connor, NASA Mishap Investigation program executive
• Jerry Piasecki, Occupational, Facilities and Operations Safety program executive  
• Grant Watson, detailed to Institutional Safety within NASA Headquarters’ Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

If the person does not answer, leave a message and try the next person. Finally, if no one can be reached, send an email to all three of the listed contacts. 

Questions can be directed to Carolyn Turner (NASA's current Mishap Investigation program executive) or Watson.