NTSB NTSB Established in 1967 Conduct independent investigations

NTSB

NTSB • Established in 1967 – Conduct independent investigations of • All civil aviation accidents in the U. S. • Major accidents in other modes of transportation – Not part of DOT, or organizationally affiliated with any of DOT’s modal agencies – Safety Board has no regulatory or enforcement powers – To ensure investigations focus only on improving transportation safety • Cannot be entered as evidence in court of law

NTSB • Accident response – Only on U. S. territory or in international waters – Elsewhere, a U. S. “accredited representative” from NTSB’s staff of IICs will assist government where accident occurs

NTSB “Go Team” • Purpose – Begin investigation at accident scene as quickly as possible – Assemble broad spectrum of technical expertise needed to solve complex transportation safety problems – Vary from 3 or 4 to more than a dozen specialists • Duty rotation – Must be reachable 24 hours a day by telephone – Usually do not have suitcase pre-packed but have • Carefully selected wrenches, screwdrivers, and devices peculiar to their specialty • All carry flashlights, tape recorders, cameras, and lots of extra tape and film

NTSB “Go Team” • Boss – Investigator-in-charge (IIC) • Senior investigator with years of NTSB and industry experience • Other specialties (aviation) – Operations • History of accident flight and crewmembers’ duties – Structures • Documentation of airframe wreckage and accident scene – Includes impact angles to help determine plane’s impact course and attitude – Powerplants • Examination of engines (propellers) and engine accessories

NTSB “Go Team” – Systems • Study components of plane – – Hydraulic Electrical Pneumatic and associated systems Instruments and elements of flight control system – Air Traffic Control • Reconstruction of ATC services given including – Acquisition of ATC radar data and – Transcripts of controller-pilot radio transmissions – Weather • Gather all pertinent weather data from NWS

NTSB “Go Team” – Human performance • Study of crew performance and all before-the-accident factors that could be involved – – – – – Fatigue Medication Alcohol Drugs Medical histories Training Workload Equipment design Work environment – Survival factors • Document impact forces and injuries, evacuation, community emergency planning and all crash-firerescue efforts – Other groups may be formed at accident scene

NTSB “Go Team” – Investigators lead • Working groups in one area of expertise • Groups staffed by representatives of “parties” – NTSB has complete discretion to “parties” – Parties to investigations • Organizations or corporations that can provide expertise to investigation are granted party status – Only persons with technical or specialized expertise are permitted to serve – Persons in legal or litigation positions are not allowed

NTSB “Go Team” – Members of Safety Board • One member briefs media daily on latest factual information developed by team during on-scene investigation phase • Usually not IIC • Public affairs officer maintains contact with media – Releases confirmed, factual information, no speculation – Parties to investigations • Organizations or corporations that can provide expertise to investigation are granted party status – Only persons with technical or specialized expertise are permitted to serve – Persons in legal or litigation positions are not allowed

NTSB “Go Team” – Accident Scene • Members remain at scene as long as necessary – Few days to several weeks – Continuation work • Washington headquarters • Specialization areas – Overhaul facilities – Teardown facilities – Any other required areas – Report • Form analysis, draft proposed report • Goes to Safety Board • Safety recommendations may be issued at any time during course of investigation

Criminal Activity – Safety Board does not investigate criminal activity • Other agencies may participate – FBI becomes lead federal investigative body – NTSB provides any requested support – Surrender of lead status • Only if Attorney General notifies Board • Criminal act may have caused act

Safety Recommendations – Board must address safety deficiencies immediately • Issue recommendations before completion of investigation – Based on findings – May address deficiencies that do not pertain directly to what is ultimately determined to be cause of accident

Public Hearing – Board may hold public hearing • Gather sworn testimony from subpoenaed witnesses on issues identified by board • Allow public to observe progress of investigation • Usually held within 6 months of accident

Final Report – “Parties” do not participate in analysis and report writing phase of draft final report • Are invited to submit proposed findings of cause and proposed safety recommendations – Board deliberates over final report in public Board meeting • Includes parties and family members – Cannot interact with Board during this meeting – Adoption of final report • Abstract written with conclusions, probable cause, and safety recommendations placed on web site • Full report typically appears on web site several weeks later

NTSB Part 830 Subpart A General

830. 1 Applicability • Contains rules pertaining to – Initial notification and later reporting of aircraft incidents and accidents – Preservation of aircraft wreckage, mail, cargo, and records involving all civil and certain public aircraft accidents

830. 2 Definitions • Aircraft accident – Occurrence associated with operation of an aircraft which takes place between time any person boards the aircraft and all such persons have disembarked • Any person suffers death or serious injury, or aircraft receives substantial damage • Civil aircraft – Any aircraft other than public aircraft • Fatal injury – Injury which results in death within 30 days of the accident

830. 2 Definitions • Incident – Occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, which affects or could affect the safety of operations • Operator – Any person who causes or authorizes the operation of an aircraft (owner, lessee, or bailee of an aircraft) • Public aircraft

830. 2 Definitions • Serious injury – Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days for the date of injury was received – Results in fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose) – Causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage – Involves any internal organ – Involves second- or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5 percent of body surface

830. 2 Definitions • Substantial damage – Damage or failure which adversely affects structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics of aircraft, and – Normally required major repair or replacement of affected component

830. 5 Initial Notification • Notify nearest NTSB field office when – Flight control system malfunction or failure – Inability of any required crewmember to perform normal flight duties as result of injury or illness – Failure of structural components of turbine engine excluding compressor and turbine blades/vanes – In-flight fire – Aircraft collide in flight – Damage to property, other than aircraft, estimated to exceed $25, 000 for repair

830. 5 Initial Notification • Large multi-engine (more than 12, 500 lbs) – In-flight failure of electrical systems which require sustained use of emergency bus powered – In-flight failure of hydraulic systems resulting in sustained reliance on sole remaining hydraulic or mechanical system for movement of flight control surfaces – Sustained loss of power or thrust produced by 2 or more engines – Evacuation of aircraft where an emergency egress system is utilized • Aircraft is overdue and is believed to have been involved in an accident

830. 6 Information Required • Type, nationality, and registration marks of aircraft • Owner name and operator • PIC Name • Date and time of accident • Last point of departure and intended landing point • Position of aircraft with geographical references • Number of persons aboard, number killed, and number seriously injured

830. 6 Information Required • Passenger info: – Number of Persons aboard – Number killed, and – Number seriously injured • Nature of accident, weather, and damage to aircraft • Description of any – Explosives – Radioactive materials – Other dangerous articles carried

830. 10 Preservation of Wreckage • Operator of aircraft involved responsible for – Preserving any aircraft wreckage, cargo, and mail aboard except to • Remove persons injured or trapped • Protect wreckage from further damage • Protect public from injury – All records • Recording mediums of flight • Maintenance • Voice recorders • If required to move wreckage, make sketches, descriptive notes, and photographs • Maintain all records until Board authorizes to the contrary

830. 15 Reports and Statements • Operator shall file a report – Within 10 days after an accident, or – After 7 days if an overdue aircraft is still missing – Only person trained in use of medical oxygen equipment may connect or disconnect • Each crewmember, if physically able, shall attach a statement with facts, conditions, and circumstances relating to the accident • If unable, crewmember submits as soon as physically able • Report filed with field office nearest accident or incident