Definition
In aviation risk assessment, a severity level describing a hazard whose consequences are so minor they would have little or no measurable effect on flight safety, mission outcome, equipment, or personnel.
Plain English
So small it isn't worth worrying about. The lowest level of severity used when judging how bad a hazard could be.
Context Anchor
Used when assessing risk before or during a flight, especially when judging how serious a possible hazard could be.
Derivation
From Latin negligere, meaning 'to disregard' or 'not pick up.' A negligible thing is one not worth picking up or paying attention to — small enough to safely ignore.
Why Pilots Care
Helps pilots focus time and attention on risks that actually matter instead of treating every small detail equally.
Intuition Check
Negligible does not mean impossible or zero risk. It means the expected harm is so small that it is not likely to affect safety or the flight outcome.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor rated the risk of a minor radio glitch on a clear-day local flight as negligible.
Example Sentence 2
After checking the forecast, the pilot concluded the chance of fog forming before arrival was negligible.