How Does the NTSB Participate in Foreign Investigations ?
Role of NTSB U.S. Accredited Representative
Role of the Operator Advisors
Role of the Manufacturer’s Advisors
Notes:
The NTSB participates in a foreign accident through the Role of the U.S. Accredited Representative. He or she is the eyes and ears of U.S. aviation interests; sitting literally, “at the right hand” of the local Investigator-in-Charge. The Accredited Rep. is a facilitator regarding the IIC’s needs for information from the U.S.; he is a communicator back to the responsible officials in the U.S.; and he is the team leader of the NTSB, FAA, and industry advisor group. He integrates his team into the working groups of the host country investigation. In developing nations, he must use his personal negotiating skills to provide guidance in overall investigation management without the appearance of being overbearing. Within the Safety Board, Accredited Representatives are named from a variety of our operating divisions such as engineering or survival factors and our Field Investigator staff.
Regarding the Role of Advisors – they are appointed by the state due to their specific expertise. They operate under the supervision of the Accredited Representative. The accident site and overall investigation remains under the control of the local IIC.
The FAA Advisors are concerned with the FAA operational and airworthiness responsibilities surrounding the accident. The Operator Advisors are included in order to review procedural and maintenance records . Manufacturer’s Advisors provide both engineering based expertise and pilot flight test experience.
The cultural situation in some parts of the world immediately following an accident exhibits a degree of suspicion or hostility toward the manufacturer and the operating company employees. These situations present particular challenges for both the Accredited Representative and the advisors to derive the full benefit from an investigation.