The NTSB is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in other modes of transportation—railroad, highway, marine and pipeline. The NTSB determines the probable cause of each accident investigated and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. In addition, the NTSB carries out special studies concerning transportation safety and coordinates the resources of the Federal Government and other organizations to provide assistance to victims and their family members impacted by major transportation disasters.
Since our inception, we have investigated more than 137,000 aviation accidents and thousands of surface transportation accidents. On call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NTSB investigators travel throughout the country and internationally to investigate significant accidents and develop factual records and safety recommendations with one aim—to ensure that such accidents never happen again. Our Most Wanted List highlights safety-critical actions that U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) modal administrations, the U.S. Coast Guard, and others need to take to help prevent accidents and save lives.
To date, we have issued over 13,700 safety recommendations to more than 2,300 recipients. Because we have no formal authority to regulate the transportation industry, our effectiveness depends on our reputation for conducting thorough, accurate, and independent investigations and for producing timely, well-considered recommendations to enhance transportation safety.
The NTSB has five Board Members, each nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve 5-year terms. A Member is designated by the President as Chairman and another as Vice Chairman for 2-year terms. The chairmanship requires separate Senate confirmation. When there is no designated Chairman, the Vice Chairman serves as Acting Chairman.
The Office of the Managing Director assists the Chairman in the discharge of the Chairman's functions as executive and administrative head of the NTSB. The office provides overall leadership for the management of the agency, including production, strategy, and support functions. The office ensures that NTSB resources are allocated appropriately to ensure that we perform our mission in the most cost-effective manner.
The NTSB's organization chart can be found here.
——————— Legislative Mandate ———————
Maintain our congressionally mandated independence and objectivity.
Conduct objective, precise accident investigations and safety studies.
Perform fair and objective airman and mariner certification appeals.
Advocate and promote safety recommendations.
Assist victims of transportation accidents and their families.
—————————— Mission ——————————
Independently Advancing Transportation Safety
————————— Core Values —————————
The NTSB embraces the values of transparency, accountability, integrity, diversity and
inclusion in our work. We are committed to these values every day, in all ways.
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