Airplane Crash Investigation

Topics included on this page: NTSB Private NTSB Information NTSB Investigations NTSB Powers and Authority Limitations of NTSB NTSB Structure NTSB Reports Airplane crash investigations are conducted for several reasons. One of the primary rationales for closely examining an accident is to determine the cause of the accident and what went wrong. From a legal perspective, this is one of the most valuable parts of the investigation process and can lead to litigation against those responsible for the tragedy. Aviation accidents are by their very nature tragic and unexpected. There is a high risk of fatality when an aircraft traveling at high speeds thousands of feet above the ground experiences difficulties of any kind. Airplane crashes often result in property damage, shattered families, and months of lingering questions. However, another equally important outcome of airplane crash investigations is the prevention of similar accidents from occurring in the future. By determining the cause of accidents, safety measures may be taken to limit the likelihood of these events taking place and impacting additional families. If you or someone you care about has been involved in an airplane crash or other aviation accident, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and private companies employ specialists who are experts in determining the causes of aviation accidents. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your suffering. ^ Back To Top

The NTSB:
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent organization that investigates aviation, highway, marine, railroads, and pipeline accidents that take place in the United States. Specifically, every civil aviation accident that occurs in the U.S. must be closely examined by the NTSB. The NTSB was created in 1967 and has investigated well over 120,000 aviation accidents in the past forty years. Part of the NTSBs job is to issue safety recommendations following the investigation of an accident to help prevent future catastrophes from occurring. In most NTSB investigations a team of specialists is assigned to closely examine a series of factors that may contribute to the cause of a crash. During NTSB investigations, external organizations or corporations are usually named as parties to the effort that can contribute their expertise. Agencies such as the FAA work closely with the NTSB in an effort to conduct a thorough and conclusive examination into aviation accidents. ^ Back To Top

Private Investigations of Plane Accidents.

Many private organizations employ specialists who are well qualified to conduct airplane crash investigations. The use of private companies to supplement NTSB investigations is not uncommon and may prove helpful for victims of aviation accidents. Employees conducting private investigations may have experience that makes them experts in a particular field that can prove a factor in an airplane crash. These valuable individuals can provide insight into elements that may otherwise go unnoticed and unaddressed during the investigation. If you or someone you care about has been involved in an aviation accident, it is important to consider the benefits of a private investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. An experienced and understanding attorney can help you contact the right sources so you can fight for justice and obtain the reparations you deserve. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Information:
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the U.S. governments independent organization for the investigations of accidents involving aviation, highway, marine, pipelines, and railroads in the United States. The NTSB is responsible for investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States. Since its creation in 1967, the NTSB has investigated over 120,000 aviation accidents. The NTSB also lists its most wanted transportation safety improvements for aviation issues. These improvements include actions suggested for

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce dangers to aircraft flying in icing conditions, eliminate flammable fuel/air vapors in fuel tanks on transport aircraft, stop runway collisions or incursions of aircraft, improve audio and data recorders, require video recorders, and require restraint systems for children under age two. These are all issues that the NTSB feels are not being addressed quickly enough by the FAA. The National Transportation Safety Board exists to make air travel safer for all people. The NTSB has issued more than 12,000 recommendations to all transportation modes, but only 82 percent of these urgings have been adopted. Companies that refuse to follow the expert analysis of the NTSB jeopardize the safety of aviators, passengers, and innocent civilians on the ground. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Investigations.
The NTSB has established regulation guides and procedures for NTSB staff to follow when launching an investigation. Although these documents are not regulatory in nature, they are recommended to be addressed during the investigation process. At the beginning of the investigation process, the NTSB forms a Go Team that evaluates the accident scene as quickly as possible and determines the different types of technical expertise required to solve the complex problems of that particular case. Each Go Team has investigators responsible for closely examining the operations, structures, power plants, systems, air traffic control, weather, human performance, and survival factors related to the aviation accident. In addition to the Go Team, the NTSB also designates other organizations or corporations as parties to the investigations. Cases that involve suspected criminal activity may require law enforcement agencies to become involved. Sometimes the investigation process takes months, with public hearings and stages of tests and analysis taking place before the final report is presented. The final report includes to NTSBs conclusions, probable causes, and safety recommendations to avoid similar accidents from occurring in the future. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Field Office Investigations.

The NTSB has field or regional offices set up to handle aviation accidents in specific parts of the United States. These field offices accept reports of accidents or incidents that take place in states of their jurisdiction and conduct investigations accordingly. There are ten regional or field offices spread across the country. Moving from east to west, the Northeast field office is responsible for the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Mid-Atlantic field office investigates aviation accidents in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Southeast field office researches cases in Florida, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Finally, the Southern field office looks into aviation accidents that occur in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The North Central NTSB field office is responsible for the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Moving southward, the South Central field office investigates accidents in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The NTSBs Central Mountain field office examines Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming accidents; the Northwest field office is responsible for Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Pacific Islands in the U.S. trust territories fall under the jurisdiction of the NTSBs Southwest field office. Finally, the Alaska field office investigates Alaskan aviation accidents. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Headquarters Investigations.

Although most of the NTSBs investigations are conducted by regional and field offices, NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC is responsible for some cases. Typically NTSB headquarters are only responsible for major accidents, and a Go Team is assembled to address these cases. The Go Team is comprised of a group of technical specialists who can address the operations, structures, powerplants, systems, air traffic control, survival factors, human performance, and weather issues arising out of any

particular aviation accident. In addition to the Go Team, other organizations or corporations are designated as parties to the investigation based on their technical expertise. After a full investigation has been conducted, NTSB headquarters releases a final report. This document contains conclusion, probable cause, and safety recommendations related to the aviation accident. It is hoped that the information provided in the final report can help provide closure to victims of the accident and prevent the tragedy of future similar accidents from occurring again. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Power and Authority.

The primary purpose of the NTSB is to promote safety in transportation. Aviation is just one of the methods of transportation that falls under the jurisdiction of the NTSB. All accidents involving civil aircraft and certain public aircraft must be investigated by the NTSB. The NTSB has the power to make transportation safety recommendations to Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as private organizations. The NTSB also has the authority to launch investigations into many transportation accidents, including all civil aircraft incidents. The NTSB derives its authority from Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 11 and was established in 1967. In addition to its investigative responsibilities, the NTSB also serves as an appeals court for any mechanic or airman when certificate action is taken by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ^ Back To Top

Limitations of NTSB.
Witnesses have the right to be represented by counsel whenever the NTSB decides to interrogate any witness as part of an investigation. This right includes the right for the witness to be accompanied by an attorney during all aspects of any interrogation. The presence of an attorney can dramatically influence the interrogation process and prevent witnesses from being overpowered by the constraints of the NTSB. The NTSB is given exclusive custody of the wreckage, cargo, and records of accident aircraft. However, this access has been challenged by private parties with success in court. Although the NTSB is powerful and has an important task to perform in the timely completion of an investigation, it is important that the organization be closely monitored to ensure they do not overstep their authority. An experienced aviation attorney can help you fight for justice if you believe the NTSB has abused its power in an investigation. Do not hesitate to discuss your case with an understanding lawyer today and ensure that you are protected throughout the investigation process. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Structure.
The structure of the NTSB reflects its mission to promote the safety of various transportation mediums. The Board itself consists of five members, including a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, and three other members. Each member is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve 5-year terms. Members serve 2-year terms as Chairman and Vice Chairman. Reporting to the Board are the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Management, the Equal Employment Opportunity Director, and the Office of Chief Financial Officer. Within the Office of Management are: the Office of Research and Engineering; Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety; Office of Highway Safety; Office of Marine Safety; Office of Aviation Safety; Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications; Office of Administration; and Office of the Academy. The Office of Aviation Safety consists of Regional Offices in Anchorage, Atlanta, West Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Gardena, Miami, Parsippany, Seattle, and Ashburn. The Office of Aviation Safety also includes the Major Investigations Division, Regional Operations and General Aviation Division, Operational Factors Division, Aviation Engineering Division, Human Performance Division, Survival Factors Division, and Writing and Editing Division. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Reports.

The NTSB releases reports at an irregular frequency. Different NTSB publications include general interest reports, aviation reports, highway reports, marine reports, pipeline reports, hazardous materials reports, and railroad reports. NTSB aviation reports may take months to prepare. The NTSB is responsible for conducting a full investigation in to the probable causes of each civil aviation accident that occurs in the United States, and final reports often include contributions from other parties lending their expertise. In 2004, the NTSB released six reports on aviation accidents that took place between the years 2000 and 2003. Additionally, the NTSB also produces studies on risk factors and safety procedures associated with aviation accidents, as well as annual reports to Congress. ^ Back To Top

NTSB Reports in Court.

NTSB reports cannot be used as evidence in court. More accurately, facts from the report may be used, but opinions may not. There are two reasons for this policy. First, the integrity of the NTSBs investigation may be compromised if final reports were used as evidence. Second, the autonomy of the jury must be maintained during civil proceedings. If NTSB reports were used as evidence, some witnesses may be less forthcoming with information during the investigative process and could compromise the quality of the report by giving a more desired answer instead of an accurate answer to questions being asked of them. Additionally, the NTSB and the people involved with the report could be summoned to court to testify, which would prevent them from performing their normal investigative duties. Aviation law is a complicated specialization that requires extensive knowledge to practice. If you or someone you care about has been involved in an aviation accident, it is essential to contact an experienced aviation attorney who can help you navigate the specifics of the law and obtain justice.