The is an
Independent Organization responsible for investigation of
Accident s involving
Aviation ,
Highway ,
Marine ,
Pipelines and
Railroads in the
United States . It is charged by the
U.S. Congress to investigate every civil
Aviation Accident in the United States, as well as significant accidents in other modes of transportation (such as the
Big Bayou Canot Train Disaster near
Mobile ,
Alabama ). The organization is also in charge of investigating cases of
Hazardous Waste releases that occur from
Modes Of Transportation . Mark Rosenker was appointed as Vice Chairman in 2003 and Acting Chairman in March 2005. He has held the position of the Chairman since August 2006. Robert Sumwalt is the vice chairman. The board is based in
Washington, D.C.
It was established as an independent organization in
1967 , taking over the investigative functions of the
Civil Aeronautics Board , among other duties. Originally established with strong ties to the
US Department Of Transportation , these ties were later severed under the Independent Safety Board Act of 1975. The organization receives its authority from Chapter 11, Title 49 of the
United States Code . It has investigated over 124,000 aviation incidents since its establishment.
The board has five members, one of whom is designated the chairman by the U.S. President and then approved by the U.S. Senate for a fixed 2-year term. Another member is designated as vice chairman, and becomes acting chairman when there is no formal chairman. Organization within the Board is composed of separate sub-offices for highway safety, maritime safety, aviation safety, railroad, pipeline, and hazardous material investigations, research and engineering, recommendations and communications, academy and administrative law judges. These sub-offices report to the Office of Management.
The NTSB is normally the lead organization in the investigation of a transportation accident within its sphere. However, this power can be surrendered to other organizations if the
US Attorney General declares the case to be linked to an intentional criminal act. This occurred during the investigation of the
September 11th, 2001 attacks, when the
US Justice Department took over the investigation.
An investigation of an incident within the United States typically starts with the creation of a "go team", composed of specialists in fields relating to the incident. This is followed by the designation of other organizations or corporations as parties to the investigation. The Board may then choose to hold public hearings on the issue. Finally, it will compose a final statement and may issue safety recommendations.
The NTSB may investigate incidents or accidents occurring outside the United States under certain circumstances. These may include:
- accidents or incidents occurring to American-registered or American-owned aircraft in foreign airspace if the aircraft both departed and was scheduled to land in the United States. This has happened on rare occasion with respect to flights to and within Alaska that have crashed in Canada. {Link without Title}
- accidents or incidents occurring to American-registered or American-owned aircraft in countries without a transportation investigative board. [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20050207X00143&ntsbno=DCA05RA033&akey=1
The NTSB, if asked, will also provide technical and other advice for a fee to transportation investigative boards in countries that do not have the equipment or specialized technicians available to undertake all aspects of a complex investigation.
