Most Wanted List Archive

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The NTSB's Most Wanted List was created in 1990 and will be retired in 2023. For over 30 years it highlighted transportation safety improvements needed to prevent accidents, reduce injuries, and save lives.

​​Since the MWL’s creation, we’ve highlighted 422 “Most Wanted” transportation safety improvements across all modes that have needed immediate attention, leading to the implementation of numerous related NTSB safety recommendations.  In collaboration with industry, other government agencies, and advocacy groups, we have helped to make transportation safer for the traveling public.

​​Notable safety improvements of the Most Wanted List include:

Recreational Boating: implementation of alcohol-impaired boating laws, requirements for personal flotation devices, and requirements for boater education.

Impaired Driving: implementation of laws establishing administrative license revocation.

Occupant Protection:

  • Child passenger safety laws requiring booster seat use and requiring that children ride, properly restrained by a child car seat or seat belt, in the back seat.
  • Crashworthiness improvements across all modes, including the adoption of crash-resistant fuel tanks in helicopters.
  • Seat belt laws – requiring that all occupants in all vehicles equipped with safety belts use them.

School bus safety: install three-point seat belts in school buses

Rail tank car integrity: regulations to upgrade shells in DOT-111 tank cars to ensure they don’t puncture and leak

Fatigued flying and driving: implementation of rules related to flight crew fatigue in Part 121 (scheduled airlines) and hours of service requirements for commercial trucking

Weather Airplane Icing: improved certifications standards for airplanes certified for flight in icing conditions.

Positive Train Control: regulations requiring full implementation of PTC of all railroads (and subsequent 100% implementation

Fuel Tank Safety: implementation of our safety recommendations on fuel tank inerting systems and enactment of the FAA final rule related to the topic.

Some of the most pervasive issues highlighted on the MWL have been human performance issues such as impairment, fatigue, and distraction. Changing human behavior and perceptions is a tough challenge, but necessary to improve safety across all the modes.


See lists from previous MWLs—1990 to 2023.​​


2021-2023

Most Wanted List video on the NTSB YouTube Channel

Brochure of a listing of open NTSB recommendations​

​Require and Verify the Effectiveness of Safety Management Systems in all Revenue Passenger-Carrying Aviation Operations

Install Crash-Resistant Recorders and Establish Flight Data Monitoring Programs

Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Speeding-Related Crashes

Protect Vulnerable Road Users through a Safe System Approach

Prevent Alcohol- and Other Drug-Impaired Driving​

​Require Collision-Avoidance and Connected-Vehicle Technologies on all Vehicles

Eliminate Eliminate Distracted Driving​

Improve Passenger and Fishing Vessel Safety​ 

Improve Pipeline Leak Detection and Mitigation​​


Improve Rail Worker Safety

 

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2019-2020

Most Wanted List video on the NTSB YouTube Channel

Most Wanted List Kickoff Event on the NTSB YouTube Channel

Brochure of a listing of open NTSB recommendations​

Improve th​e Safety of Part 135 Aircraft Flight Operations

Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Reduce Speed-Related Crashes

Fully Implement Positive Train Control

Install Collision Avoidance Technologies in all New Highway Vehicles

​End Alcohol and Other Drug Impairment in Transportation

​Reduce Fatigue-Related Accidents

​Require Medical Fitness

Eliminate Distractions

Ensure the Safe Shipment of Hazardous Materials

Strengthen Occupant Protection

 
 

2017-2018

Meeting : 2017-18 Most Wanted List (MWL) Mid-Point Progress Report

Listing of open NTSB recommendations​

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Eliminate ​Distractions

Reduce Fatigue-Related Accidents

Prevent Loss of Control in Flight in General Aviation

Improve Rail Transit Safety Oversight

End Alcohol and Other Drug Impairment in Transportation

Increase Implementation of Collision Avoidance Technologies

Expand Recorder Use to Enhance Safety

Require Medical Fitness

Strengthen Occupant Protection

Ensure the Safe Shipment of Hazardous Materials

 
 

2016

View the press conference on the NTSB YouTube Channel

Remarks by Chairman Christopher A. Hart

2016 Most Wanted List brochure

Improve Rail Transit Safety Oversight

Promote Availability of Collision Avoidance Technologies in Highway Vehicles

Strengthen Occupant Protection​

Disconnect From Deadly Distractions​

Promot​e Completion of Rail Safety Initiatives

​Require Medical Fitness for Duty

End Substance Impairment in Transportation

Expand Use of Recorders to Enhance Transportation Safety​

Reduce Fatigue-Related Accidents

Prevent Loss of Control in Flight in General Aviation

 
 

2015

End Substance Impairment in Transportation 

Enhance Public Helicopter Safety​

Prevent Loss of Control in Flight in General Aviation​

Require Medical Fitness for Duty​

​Disconnect from Deadly Distractions

Improve Rail​ Tank Car Safety

Make Mass Transit Safer

Strengthen Commercial Trucking Safety​

Strengthen Procedural Compliance

Implement Positive Train Control in 2015

 
 

2014

Address Unique Characteris​tics of Helicopter Operations

Advance Passenger Vessel Safety

Eliminate Distraction in Transportation

​General Aviation: Identify and Communicate Hazardous Weather

​Implement Positive Train Control Systems

Eliminate Substance-Impaired Driving

Enhance Pipeline Safety

Improve Fire Safety in Transportation

Promote Operational Safety in Rail Mass Transit​

​Strengthen Occupant Protection in Transportation

 
 

2013

Improve Safety of Airport Surface Operations

Improve the Safety of Bus Operations

Eliminate Distraction in Transportation

​Enhance Pipeline Safety

​Implement Positive Train Control Sy​stems

Improve Fire Safety in Transportation

Improve General Aviation Safety

Preserve the Integrity of Transportation Infrastructure

​Eliminate Substance-Impaired Driving

​Mandate Motor Vehicle Collision Avoidance Technologies

 
 

2011 - 2012

​ ​Remodeled MWL Program - limiting 10 Most Wanted List Issues

Addressing Human Fatigue

General aviation safety

Safety Management Systems

​Recorders

​Teen Driver Safety

Runway Safety

Bus Occupant Safety

Pilot & Air Traffic Controller Professionalism

​Addressing Alcohol-Impaired Driving

​Motorcycle Safety



 

2010

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Improve Transit Railcar Design

Require Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Domestic Vessels

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue in the Marine Industry

Improve Oversight of Pilot Proficiency

​Require Image Recorders

Improve the Safety of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Flights

Improve Runway Safety

Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

​Improve Crew Resource Management

​Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue in the Aviation Industry

Prohibit Cell Phone Use by Motorcoach Drivers

Require Electronic Onboard Data Recorders to Maintain Accurate Carrier Records on Driver Hours of Service

Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

​Prevent Collisions by Using Enhanced Vehicle Safety Technology

Enhance Protection for Motorcoach Passengers

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enact Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

​Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers

Eliminate Hard Core Drinking Driving

Improve Motorcycle Safety

 
 

2009

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Improve Safety of Emergency Medical Services Flights

Improve Runway Safety

Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

Improve Crew Resource Management

​Require Image Recorders

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue (Aviation)

Restrict Use of Cellular Telephones in the Railroad Industry

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue (Marine)

Restrict Use of Cellular Telephones by Motorcoach Drivers

​Require On-board Electronic Recorders

Improve Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

Prevent Collisions by Using Enhanced Vehicle Safety Technology

Enhance Protection of Motorcoach Passengers

​Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue (Pipeline)

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enact Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers

Eliminate Hard Core Drinking Driving

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

 
 

2008

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Improve Safety of Emergency Medical Services Flights

Improve Runway Safety

Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

Improve Crew Resource Management

​Require Image Recorders

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue (Aviation)

Restrict Use of Cellular Telephones in the Railroad Industry

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue (Marine)

Restrict Use of Cellular Telephones by Motorcoach Drivers

​Require On-board Electronic Recorders

Improve Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

Prevent Collisions by Using Enhanced Vehicle Safety Technology

Enhance Protection of Motorcoach Passengers

​Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue (Pipeline)

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enact Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers

Eliminate Hard Core Drinking Driving

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

 
 

2007

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Stop Runway Incursions and Ground Collisions of Aircraft

Eliminate Flammable Fuel/Air Vapors in Transport Category Aircraft

Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

Improve Crew Resource Management

​Improve Aviation Audio and Data Recorders and Require Cockpit Video Recorders

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue

Implement Positive Train Control Systems

Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

​Enhance Protection for Motorcoach Passengers

Prevent Collisions with Enhanced Vehicle Safety Technology

Enhance Protection for Schoolbus Passengers

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enact Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Laws

​Promote Youth Highway Safety

Eliminate Hardcore Drinking Driving

Improve Schoolbus/Grade Crossing Safety

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

 
 

2006

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Stop Runway Incursions and Ground Collisions of Aircraft

Eliminate Flammable Fuel/Air Vapors in Transport Category Aircraft

Require Restraint Systems for Children Underage 2

Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

​Improve Aviation Audio and Data Recorders and Require Cockpit Video Recorders

Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue

Implement Positive Train Control Systems

Improve Drug and Alcohol Testing of Crews After Accidents

Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

Enhance Protection for Bus Passengers

Improve School Bus/Grade Crossing Safety

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

Improve Child Occupant Protection

​Eliminate Hard Core Drinking Driving

Promote Youth Highway Safety

Enact Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Laws

 
 

2005

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Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

Eliminate Flammable Fuel/Air Vapors in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Stop Runway Incursions/Ground Collisions of Aircraft

Improve Audio and Data Recorders/Require Video Recorders

​Require Restraint Systems for Children Under Age 2

Implement Positive Train Control Systems

Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically-Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

Enhance Protection for Bus Passengers

​Improve Drug and Alcohol Testing of Crews After Accidents

Update Hours-of-Service Regulations in Aviation, Marine and Pipeline Industries

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enact Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

Promote Teen Highway Safety

​Eliminate Hardcore Drinking Driving

Improve School Bus/Grade Crossing Safety

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

 
 

2004

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Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

Eliminate Flammable Fuel/Air Vapors in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Stop Runway Incursions/Ground Collisions of Aircraft

Improve Audio and Data Recorders/Require Video Recorders

​Require Restraint Systems for Children Under Age 2

Implement Positive Train Control Systems

Improve Survivability of Recorders

Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

Prevent Medically-Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

Enhance Protection for Bus Passengers

Improve Drug and Alcohol Testing of Crews After Accidents

Update Hours-of-Service Regulations in Aviation, Marine and Pipeline Industries

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enact Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

​Promote Teen Highway Safety

Eliminate Hardcore Drinking Driving

Improve School Bus/Grade Crossing Safety

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

 
 

2003

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Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions

Eliminate Flammable Fuel/Air Vapors in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Stop Runway Incursion/Ground Collisions of Aircraft

Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations

​Enhance Protection for Bus Passengers

Prevent Medically-Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles

Require Restraint Systems for Children Under Age 2

Update Hours-of-Service Regulations in Aviation, Marine and Pipeline Industries

Improve Audio and Data Recorders/Require Video Recorders (Aviation)

​Require Voyage Data Recorders

Improve Drug and Alcohol Testing of Crews After Accidents

Require Cab Voice Recorders/Improve Survivability of Recorders

Implement Positive Train Control Systems

Enact Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

​Promote Teen Highway Safety

Reduce Hard Core Drinking Driving

Improve Child Occupant Protection

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

 
 

2002

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Child Occupant Protection

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

Explosive Mixtures in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Airframe Structural Icing

Marine Post-Accident Alcohol/Drug Testing

Positive Train Control Systems

Recreational Boating Safety

Automatic Information Recording Devices

Youth Highway Safety

​Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws

Commercial Truck and Bus Safety

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

 
 

2001

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Child Occupant Protection

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

Explosive Mixtures in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Airframe Structural Icing

​Positive Train Control Systems

Recreational Boating Safety

Automatic Information Recording Devices

Youth Highway Safety

Highway Vehicle Occupant Protection

​Commercial Truck and Bus Safety

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

 
 
 
 

2000

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Child/Youth Safety in Transportation

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

Explosive Mixtures in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Airframe Structural Icing

Positive Train Separation

Recreational Boating Safety

Automatic Information Recording Devices

Highway Vehicle Occupant Safety

Commercial Truck and Bus Safety

​Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

 
 

1999

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Recreational Boating SafetyPositive Train SeparationCross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work PolicyRunway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft​Explosive Mixtures in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft
Excavation Damage Prevention to Underground FacilitiesChild/Youth Safety in TransportationAutomatic Information Recording DevicesAirframe Structural IcingHighway Vehicle Occupant Safety
 
 

1998

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Recreational Boating Safety

Positive Train Separation

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

​Explosive Mixtures in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Excavation Damage Prevention to Underground Facilities

Youth Highway Crashes

Automatic Information Recording Devices

Airframe Structural Icing

​Highway Vehicle Occupant Safety

 
 

1997

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Flight Data Recorders-Expanded Parameters

Recreational Boating Safety

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Positive Train Separation

​Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

Fishing Vessel Safety

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Airplane Cargo Compartment Fires

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

Explosive Mixtures in Fuel Tanks on Transport Category Aircraft

Commercial Truck Safety

Excavation Damage Prevention to Underground Facilities

Youth Highway Crashes

​Small Passenger Vessel Safety

Wake Vortex Turbulence

Automatic Information Recording Devices

Airframe Structural Icing

 

1996

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Recreational Boating Safety

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Positive Train Separation

Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

Fishing Vessel Safety

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

Railroad Tank Car Safety

​Commercial Truck Safety

Excess Flow Valve Installation

Youth Highway Crashes

Small Passenger Vessel Safety

Wake Vortex Turbulence

Flight Data Recorder--Expanded Parameters

Pilot Background Checks

Safety of Passengers in Railroad Cars

Highway Vehicle Occupant Safety

Pilot Background Checks

Safety or Railroad Passenger Cars

 

 
 

1995

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Recreational Boating Safety

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Positive Train Separation

Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

​Fishing Vessel Safety

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Uniform Policy on Alcohol/Drug Specimens

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

​Railroad Tank Car safety

Commercial Truck Safety

Excess Flow Valve Installation

Youth Highway Crashes

Small Passenger Vessel Safety

​Wake Vortex Turbulence

Flight Data Recorder--Expanded Parameters

Commuter Category Airline Safety

     

 

 

1994

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Boating While Intoxicated

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Positive Train Separation

Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

​Fishing Vessel Safety

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School bus Safety

Aircraft structural fatigue testing

Uniform Policy on Alcohol/Drug Specimens

​Brake Wear Limits and Performance in Transport Category Aircraft

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

Railroad Tank Car Safety

Commercial Truck Safety

Pipeline Excess Flow Valve Installation

​Youth Highway Crashes

Small Passenger Vessel Safety

 
 

1993

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Boating While Intoxicated

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Positive Train Separation

Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

​Fishing Vessel Safety

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Aircraft Structural Fatigue Testing

Passenger Vessel Safety

Uniform Policy on Alcohol/Drug Specimens

Brake Wear Limits and Performance in Transport Category Aircraft

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

Railroad Tank Car safety

Commercial Truck Safety

Pipeline Excess Flow Valve Installation

Mandatory Seatbelt Use in Automobiles, Vans, and Light Trucks

 
 

1992

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Boating While Intoxicated

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Positive Train Separation

Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

Fishing Vessel Safety

Adjustable Upper Anchorage Points for Shoulder Harness Seatbelts

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Aircraft Structural Fatigue Testing

Passenger Vessel Safety

Uniform Policy on Alcohol/Drug Specimens

Brake Wear Limits and Performance in Transport Category Aircraft

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

Railroad Tank Car Safety

​Commercial Truck Safety

Pipeline Excess Flow Valve Installation

Mandatory Seatbelt Use in Automobiles, Vans, and Light Trucks

 
 

1991

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Boating While Intoxicated

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Ground Proximity Warning Systems in Commuter aircraft

Positive Train Separation

Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

Fishing Vessel Safety

Adjustable Upper Anchorage Points for Shoulder Harness Seatbelts

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Aircraft Structural Fatigue Testing

Passenger Vessel Safety

Uniform Policy on Alcohol/Drug Specimens

Brake Wear Limits and Performance in Transport Category Aircraft

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

​Railroad Tank Car safety

Commercial Truck Safety

Pipeline Excess Flow Valve Installation

Mandatory Seatbelt Use in Automobiles, Vans, and Light Trucks

 
 

1990

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Boating While Intoxicated

Administrative Revocation of Driver’s Licenses

Ground Proximity Warning Systems in Commuter aircraft

Positive Train Separation

​Mode C Intruder Alert in Terminal Areas

Fishing Vessel Safety

Adjustable Upper Anchorage Points for Shoulder Harness Seatbelts

Cross Modal Human Fatigue/Hours-of-Work Policy

School Bus Safety

Aircraft Structural Fatigue Testing

Passenger Vessel Safety

Uniform Policy on Alcohol/Drug Specimens

Brake Wear Limits and Performance in Transport Category Aircraft

Runway Incursion/Ground Collision of Aircraft

​Railroad Tank Car safety

Commercial Truck Safety

Pipeline Excess Flow Valve Installation

Mandatory Seatbelt Use in Automobiles, Vans, and Light Trucks

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