​​​As prepared for delivery

​That concludes our investigative hearing. On behalf of my fellow Board Members and the NTSB staff, we extend our appreciation to the witnesses for their testimony and the parties for their cooperation — not only at this hearing, but since this tragedy occurred.

The record will remain open for the addition of exhibits admitted during the hearing.

The transcript of these proceedings will be available to the parties and witnesses electronically within seven (7) days of the completion of the hearing. Any corrections must be sent to the Hearing Officer by June 19, 2026.

The transcript of the hearing and all materials entered into the record will become part of the public docket.

I’d like to extend the Board’s gratitude to our colleagues across the agency, starting with Mr. Chihoon Shin and the entire investigative team: You all did an excellent job — and you did so under challenging circumstances.

This accident occurred during one of the longest government shutdowns in history.

Despite having worked for weeks without pay and the support of our furloughed colleagues, you nevertheless stepped up to carry out our vital safety mission, launching to the scene of this devastating event to document, collect, and preserve perishable evidence.

Once the shutdown ended, you made up for lost time by working nights and weekends to ensure the investigation — including this hearing — remained on track. We have your perseverance and resilience to thank.

That’s not all.

Over the last two days, your deep expertise and technical rigor were on full public display — as was your unwavering commitment to the principles of independence and objectivity.

In other words, you … once again … helped demonstrate why the NTSB maintains a reputation as the world’s leading accident investigation agency. Thank you for your dedication.

The Board also extends its deep appreciation to our colleagues in the following Offices for their support of this hearing:

• Office of Aviation Safety.
• Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
• Office of the Chief Information Officer.
• Office of the General Counsel.
• Office of the Managing Director.
• Office of Research and Engineering.
• Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications.
• The Offices of Vice Chairman Graham, Members Chapman and DeLeeuw, as well as my team.

I’d also like to thank the following staff for their work on various logistics associated with hosting an event in the NTSB Boardroom:

• Mr. James Anderson.
• Mr. Chris Bjuland.
• Mr. Chris Blumberg.
• Mr. Teddy Brown.
• Ms. Deidra Esters.
• Mr. Carl Perkins.

In the past two days, we’ve shed important light on the facts and circumstances of the November 4, 2025, tragedy involving UPS flight 2976 — all of which we’ll consider in our final report.

Before I close, I want to ensure the public knows what to expect from the NTSB going forward — especially the survivors and those who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

Following this hearing, we’ll be in “analysis mode,” considering all the evidence, drafting recommendations, and writing up the final report.

That report will be much broader than the issues and topics covered at this hearing and will contain our analysis, the probable cause, and our safety recommendations.

The final investigation report will be prepared by staff and presented to the Board a public meeting, just as this hearing has been.

Our proceedings are public so that you can see not just how we’re investigating this accident, but who is doing that work: The real public servants dedicated to finding its cause and advocating for change based on the lessons learned.

Our work doesn’t end with the final report or Board Meeting. At the NTSB, we choose to honor the victims of transportation disasters with action.

For us, that means holding all stakeholders accountable for safety, including ourselves.

We are accountable for conducting a fair, thorough, and independent investigation. You have my word that we will.

We are accountable for objectively following the evidence wherever it leads and, if necessary, issuing urgent safety recommendations without hesitation to protect the traveling public. You have my word that we will.

And we are accountable for doing everything in our power to see that our safety recommendations are implemented. You have my word that we will.

You’re probably wondering when the final report will be available. We are making absolutely every effort to work efficiently and conclude our work within 12 to 18 months from the date of the accident. That means we hope to have answers no later than next May.

I’m sure you wish our process worked faster…that we had answers sooner. I completely understand; I would, too, if I were you — which is why I understand that what I’m about to say is likely small consolation: The NTSB process works.

We’re deliberate in our investigations because accuracy is essential — you can and should hold us accountable for that, too.

Unfortunately, accuracy takes time, especially given the highly technical details of this accident, which you got to see up close over the course of this hearing.

In short: Even though we may not be speaking publicly for a while, please know this: We are thinking of you and your loved ones every step of the way.

With that, we stand adjourned.

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