DA Form 7435: Preliminary Report of Mishap (PROM) Guide – U.S. Army personnel and safety professionals on installations must promptly report mishaps to protect lives, preserve readiness, and comply with regulations. DA Form 7435, titled Preliminary Report of Mishap (PROM) Installations, serves as the key initial tool for documenting serious incidents.
What Is DA Form 7435?
DA Form 7435 (June 2001) is an official Department of the Army form for the Preliminary Report of Mishap (PROM). It applies primarily to Class A, B, and C military accidents and selected civilian accidents on Army installations.
Commanders, unit safety officers, and investigation officers use it to capture critical early details before a full investigation. The form supports the Army Safety Program by enabling rapid notification and data collection for analysis and prevention.
Official Download: DA Form 7435 PDF (from Army Publishing Directorate).
When to Use DA Form 7435?
Use this form for reportable mishaps under AR 385-10, The Army Safety Program. It covers:
- Class A Mishaps: Fatality, permanent total disability, or extensive property damage (typically $2 million+ for aircraft, or high thresholds for ground).
- Class B Mishaps: Permanent partial disability or significant damage.
- Class C Mishaps: Lost workdays or moderate damage.
- Selected HQDA Civilian Employee incidents and other specified events.
Common Categories on the form include:
- Combat soldiering
- Aircraft
- Army motor vehicle or privately owned vehicle (POV)
- Physical training injury
- General personal injury
- Team sports/recreation
- Other (specify)
It distinguishes on-duty vs. off-duty status and requires details like date/time, location, involved personnel (name, rank, SSN, unit), a brief summary of the accident, description of injuries/damage, and the unit investigation officer.
Note: It is not for all minor incidents (e.g., Class D/E or non-reportable events). Check the latest Mishap Classification Chart on the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC) site.
Key Sections of DA Form 7435
- Type of Mishap, Duty Status, and Accident Class — Checkboxes for categories and Class A/B/C.
- Date and Time of Accident.
- Location.
- Personnel Involved — Name, rank, SSN, unit.
- Brief Summary of Accident.
- Description of Personal Injury and/or Damage.
- Unit Investigation Officer.
- Reportable to U.S. Army Safety Center (Yes/No).
- Specific installation commands (e.g., USMA, USAREC).
The form emphasizes quick, factual initial reporting to support deeper investigations per DA Pam 385-40.
Step-by-Step Process for Mishap Reporting
- Immediate Notification — For serious mishaps (especially Class A), notify the USACRC immediately via phone or designated channels (after-hours support available).
- Complete DA Form 7435 — As the preliminary report.
- Full Investigation — Appoint boards as required; use privileged information protections where applicable.
- Submit and Track — Route through command channels to the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center for analysis and recordkeeping.
- Follow-Up — Implement corrective actions, track trends, and update records per AR 385-10.
Always preserve the accident scene and collect evidence promptly.
Why Proper Use of DA Form 7435 Matters?
- Enhances Safety — Early reports identify root causes (human, materiel, environmental) and prevent recurrence.
- Supports Readiness — Mishaps impact training, missions, and resources; accurate reporting aids risk management.
- Ensures Compliance — Failure to report can violate regulations and affect accountability.
- Legal & Medical — Documents injuries for care, claims, and investigations.
The Army analyzes these reports centrally to improve policies, training, and equipment.
Best Practices for Army Safety Professionals
- Train supervisors and leaders on reporting requirements.
- Integrate with Composite Risk Management (CRM) and the broader Army Safety Program.
- Use official tools from safety.army.mil, including checklists and investigation guides.
- Stay current: Regulations like AR 385-10 evolve; verify the latest versions on Army Publishing Directorate and USACRC sites.
Additional Resources
- U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): Primary hub for reporting, training (e.g., Army Mishap Investigation Course), and tools.
- AR 385-10: Core regulation for the Army Safety Program.
- DA Pam 385-40: Detailed guidance on accident investigation and reporting.
- Mishap Classification and Immediate Notification Instructions on safety.army.mil.
Download the Form Here: DA Form 7435 PDF
For questions specific to your installation or unit, contact your local safety office or the USACRC. Prompt, accurate reporting saves lives and strengthens the Army.