Our Mission
Making transportation safer by conducting independent accident investigations, advocating safety improvements, and deciding pilots’ and mariners’ certification appeals.
Legislative Mandate
- Maintaining our congressionally mandated independence and objectivity;
- Conducting objective, precise accident investigations and safety studies;
- Performing fair and objective airman and mariner certification appeals;
- Advocating and promoting safety recommendation;
- Assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families.
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation—railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space.
We determine the probable cause of the accidents we investigate and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for any accident investigated by the agency.
Statutory authority is defined by 49 U.S.C. § 1133.
Read more about the NTSB in the
2022 to 2026 Strategic Plan
The NTSB Board
The NTSB has five Board Members, each nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve 5-year terms. The President designates a Board Member as Chair and another as Vice Chair for 3-year terms. The Chair requires separate Senate confirmation. When there is no designated Chair, the Vice Chair serves in an acting capacity. NTSB currently has one vacant board member seat.
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NTSB History
The NTSB originated in the Air Commerce Act of 1926, in which the U.S. Congress charged the U.S. Department of Commerce with investigating the causes of aircraft accidents. Later, that responsibility was given to the Civil Aeronautics Board's Bureau of Aviation Safety, when it was created in 1940.
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Employment at NTSB
The NTSB has approximately 400 employees located in its Headquarters in Washington, DC, and in regional field offices in Ashburn (VA), Denver (CO), Federal Way (WA), and Anchorage (AK).
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