A collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people brought renewed focus on the federal agency charged with investigating aviation disasters.
NTSB Overview
National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Hommendy described the investigation into the crash as an “all-hands-on-deck event” for the agency during a news conference. The NTSB is an independent federal agency responsible for investigating all civil aviation accidents as well as serious incidents in the U.S. involving other modes of transportation.
Investigation Process
The NTSB will establish different working groups to investigate various aspects of the crash, including operations, structures, power plants, systems, air traffic control, survival factors, and human performance. The investigation may take one to two years to complete, with a preliminary report expected within a few weeks.
History of NTSB
The NTSB was established in 1967 as an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Since then, it has investigated over 153,000 aviation accidents and incidents. The agency has five board members who serve five-year terms and are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
