The Office of General Counsel advises and assists the Board and its personnel in the fulfillment of the Board's statutory responsibilities, representing the Board in legal proceedings as necessary.

Principal among the matters in which the Office of General Counsel advises and assists the Board are:

• The investigation of civil aviation accidents in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation -- railroad, highway, marine and pipeline.
• The study and issue of safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.
• The review process wherein the Board serves as the "court of appeals" for any airman, mechanic or mariner whenever certificate action is taken by the Federal Aviation Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, or when civil penalties are assessed by the FAA.

In addition to its advisory function in Board proceedings concerning an airman, mechanic or mariner's appeal of a certificate action , the Office of the General Counsel:

• Prepares opinions for Board approval on the matters on appeal; and,
• Represents the Board as agency counsel in U.S. Court on appeals taken from Board opinions.