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National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal accident investigation agency of the U.S. government.  It was established in 1967.  The NTSB is tasked with the responsibility of investigating and reporting civil transportation accidents such as highway crashes, aviation accidents, ship and marine accidents, pipeline incidents, and railroad accidents.  It aims to find out the cause of such accidents and device safety measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

The NTSB is composed of five members.  The members of the board are appointed by the U.S. President, with the advice and consent of the senate.  Out of the five members, at least three are appointed on the basis of technical qualification, professional standing, and demonstrated knowledge in accident reconstruction, safety engineering, human factors, transportation safety, or transportation regulation[i].  The NTSB members hold office for a period of five years[ii].

The U.S. President, with the advice and consent of the senate will designate a Chairman and Vice Chairman for the NTSB, who serve for a period of two years[iii].  In the chairman’s absence, the vice chairman acts as the chairman.  The chairman is the chief executive and administrative officer of the NTSB.  The duties of the chairman include[iv]:

  • Appointing and supervising personnel necessary to carry out the functions of the NTSB.  The chairman does not appoint regular and full-time employees in the immediate offices of another member.
  • Fixing the remuneration of NTSB officers and employees.
  • Distributing business among the officers, employees, and administrative units of the NTSB.
  • Supervising NTSB expenditures.

 

The NTSB has the power to establish offices necessary to carry out its function and can establish bureaus, divisions, or offices to investigate and report on accidents involving different modes of transportation such as aviation, highway and motor vehicle, rail and tracked vehicle, pipeline, and marine[v].  Additionally, it has the responsibility to investigate and report on the safe transportation of hazardous material and it can establish an office dedicated to this function.  The chairman can appoint a Chief Financial Officer to aid him/her in the financial management of the NTSB[vi].

The NTSB is responsible for investigating aircraft, highway, railroad, pipeline, and any other accident involving individuals or property, which is of recurring nature[vii].  The types of accidents that the NTSB is required to investigate are provided under 49 USCS § 1131.  The NTSB has to investigate and present a report on the facts and circumstances that caused the accident.

Additional responsibilities of the NTSB are:

• conducting special studies on safety problems;

• maintaining official U.S. census of aviation accidents;

• evaluating the effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation safety;

• evaluating the safeguards used in the transportation of hazardous materials;

• reviewing appeals from airmen and merchant seamen whose certificates have been revoked or suspended;

• reviewing appeals from airmen, mechanics, and repairmen who have been assessed civil penalties by the Federal Aviation Administration;

• leading U.S. teams on foreign airline accident investigations to assist foreign authorities under the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreements; and

• evaluating the effectiveness of emergency responses to hazardous material accidents.

 

National Transportation Safety Board

[i] 49 USCS § 1111(b).

[ii] 49 USCS § 1111(c).

[iii] 49 USCS § 1111(d).

[iv] 49 USCS § 1111(e).

[v] 49 USCS § 1111(g).

[vi] 49 USCS § 1111(h).

[vii] 49 USCS § 1131.


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