National Transportation Safety Board in the United States
The National Transportation Safety Board investigates accidents, conducts studies, and
makes recommendations to Government agencies, the transportation industry, and
others on safety measures and practices.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was established in 1967 and
became totally independent on April 1, 1975, by the Independent Safety Board
Act of 1974 (49 U.S.C. 1111).
NTSB consists of ?ve Members appointed for 5-year terms by the
President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President designates
two of these Members as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board for 2-year
terms. The designation of the Chairman is made with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
Activities
Accident Investigation
NTSB is responsible for investigating, determining probable cause, making safety
recommendations, and reporting the facts and circumstances of incidents in
the following areas: U.S. civil aviation and certain public-use aircraft accidents;
railroad accidents in which there is a fatality or substantial property damage,
or that involve a passenger train; pipeline accidents in which there is a
fatality, substantial property damage, or signi?cant injury to the environment;
highway accidents, including railroad grade-crossing accidents, that the Board
selects in cooperation with the States; major marine casualties and marine
accidents involving a public vessel and a nonpublic vessel, in accordance with
regulations prescribed jointly by the Board and the U.S. Coast Guard; certain
accidents involving hazardous materials; and other transportation accidents that
are catastrophic, involve problems of a recurring character, or otherwise should
be investigated in the judgment of the Board.
Safety Problem Identi?cation
NTSB makes recommendations on matters pertaining to transportation safety and
is a catalyst for transportation accident prevention by conducting safety studies
and special investigations; assessing techniques of accident investigation and
publishing recommended procedures; establishing regulatory requirements
for reporting accidents; evaluating the transportation safety consciousness
and ef?cacy of other Government agencies in the prevention of accidents;
evaluating the adequacy of safeguards and procedures concerning the
transportation of hazardous materials and the performance of other Government
agencies charged with ensuring the safe transportation of such materials; and
reporting annually to the Congress on its activities.
Family Assistance for Aviation Disasters
NTSB coordinates the resources of the Federal Government and other
organizations to support the efforts of local and State governments and airlines
to meet the needs of aviation disaster victims and their families. It assists in
making Federal resources available to local authorities and airlines.
Certi?cate, Civil Penalty, and License Appeal
On appeal, NTSB reviews the suspension, amendment, modi?cation,
revocation, or denial of certain certi?cates, licenses, and assessments
of civil penalties issued by the Secretary of Transportation. NTSB also reviews
on appeal from the orders of any administrative law judge, the decisions
of the Commandant of the Coast Guard revoking, suspending, or denying certain
licenses, certi?cates, documents, and registers.
For further contact information for National Transportation Safety Board
Aviation, Highway, and Railroad Safety regional of?ces, visit www.ntsb.gov/Abt_NTSB/of?ces.htm.
National Transportation Safety Board
Introduction to National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board, independent agency of the United States federal government, which promotes transportation safety by investigating accidents, locating problems, and making recommendations on safety measures to industry and government agencies. It was created by an act of Congress in 1975. The board’s functions include determining the causes of all U.S. civil aviation accidents; railroad accidents involving a passenger train or any fatality; highway casualties; and major marine accidents. In addition, the board is responsible for establishing regulatory requirements for reporting accidents and assessing the procedures for the transportation of hazardous materials.
The National Transportation Safety Board is made up of five members appointed by the president for 5-year terms. Headquarters is in Washington, D.C.” (1)
National Transportation Safety Board
In Legislation
National Transportation Safety Board in the U.S. Code: Title 49, Subtitle II, Chapter 11
The current, permanent, in-force federal laws regulating national transportation safety board are compiled in the United States Code under Title 49, Subtitle II, Chapter 11. It constitutes “prima facie” evidence of statutes relating to Transportation (including national transportation safety board) of the United States. The reader can further narrow his/her legal research of the general topic (in this case, Safety of the US Code, including national transportation safety board) by chapter and subchapter.
Resources
Notes and References
- Information about National Transportation Safety Board in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia
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