Safety Recommendations

The NTSB issues safety recommendations to address specific safety concerns uncovered during investigations and to specify actions to help prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. Safety recommendations are our most important product because they alert government, industry, and the public to the critical changes that are needed to prevent transportation accidents and crashes, reduce injuries, and save lives.

We:

issue recommendations to the organizations best able to take corrective action, such as the US DOT and its modal administrations, the Coast Guard, other federal and state agencies, manufacturers, operators, labor unions, and industry and trade organizations.
issue safety recommendations at any point during the investigation of transportation accidents and in connection with safety studies.
monitor the progress of action to implement each recommendation until it is closed, which usually takes several years.

Find Our Recommendations

CAROL   (Case Analysis and Reporting Online) is our search tool for investigations and safety recommendations across all modes. CAROL includes all NTSB recommendations. See the Field Descriptions page for specific information about safety recommendations data fields.

Recommendation Spotlight

Each month, we shine the spotlight on a few recommendations that have been successfully implemented (closed acceptable action) and are helping to further safety. These recommendations span all modes of transportation and recommendation recipients. Visit the Recommendation Spotlight Archive to see previous safety wins.

We urge recommendation recipients to keep us informed of the progress on implementing recommendations. If you do, you may see your recommendation spotlighted here. Read more about responding to our safety recommendations.

Making One of the most Hazardous Jobs in Aviation Less Risky

From April through October, thousands of agricultural pilots take to the skies to safeguard the nation’s crops, often flying just feet above the ground in one of aviation’s most hazardous jobs. Recognizing the risks, the NTSB has spent years working to improve safety in this critical sector.

On average, about 54 agriculture aircraft crashes occur in the U.S. each year, with roughly 22 percent resulting in fatalities, according to the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) ag aviation accident data summary. With only an estimated 3,400 agriculture pilots in the country, these numbers represent a significant threat to this small, but vital aviation community.

Following NTSB’s special investigation into 78 agricultural aircraft crashes, we issued several safety recommendations aimed at reducing these accidents. We are pleased to report that the NAAA—which represents a significant portion of the U.S. small businesses and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators—has implemented substantial safety enhancements that go above and beyond our recommendations.

The enhanced guidelines now include:

Pre-flight and in-flight site survey checklists
Managing distraction and avoiding obstacles
Effects of density altitude
Crosswinds
Aircraft weight and balance during critical phases of flight
Fuel management techniques
Stall/spin awareness and avoidance

NTSB’s review of the updated AAG found clear, detailed content that equips pilots with the knowledge and tools to mitigate common operational hazards.

We also found NAAA launched an Education Center on its website that exceeds our recommendation (A-14-31). This resource provides online training modules on critical safety topics from the AAG and includes knowledge checks to ensure comprehension.

To further support ag aviation safety and professionalism in the industry, NAAA also offers a Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward (C-PAASS) program. This certification requires pilots to complete the safety training and pass assessments.

Training and certification are free to NAAA members and available for a nominal fee to nonmembers, ensuring broad accessibility to these life-saving resources.

Tennessee Work-Zone Safety Program Reduces Crashes by 25 Percent

Work zones on U.S. highways are inherently risky environments where traffic slowdowns can lead to dangerous collisions. Drivers, often accustomed to traveling at high speeds, may become complacent and fail to notice warning signs in time, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

However, Tennessee has bucked this dangerous trend. The state has reported a significant 25 percent reduction in work zone-related crashes from 2022 to 2024. Officials attribute this positive change to proactive measures implemented in response to NTSB safety recommendations (H-16-13 and H-16-14).

A Turning Point: The 2015 Chattanooga Crash

The turning point for Tennessee’s work zone safety efforts came after a tragic incident in 2015 on Interstate 75 near Chattanooga. A truck driver, traveling at 80 mph—25 mph over the posted speed limit—collided with a car that had slowed due to a work zone ahead.

This initial collision set off a chain reaction, with the truck striking seven additional vehicles. Of the 18 vehicle occupants involved in the crash, six died and four were injured.

NTSB investigators found that Tennessee Highway Patrol officers were present in the work zone but were not positioned optimally to slow down approaching traffic. In response, the state took immediate action to address the gaps in its work zone safety protocols.

Coordinating for Safety

Following the crash, Tennessee formed an interagency work zone safety group comprising representatives from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS), and the Tennessee Roadbuilders Association. The group’s primary goal is to enhance safety across all work zones for workers, law enforcement, TDOT personnel, and the motoring public. The group's initiatives include:

Crash Data Analysis: Regularly reviewing work zone crash data to identify trends and potential prevention strategies.
Education and Training: Providing educational resources and opportunities for both workers and the public.
Work Zone Communications: Offering updates on ongoing and upcoming construction projects to ensure all personnel are informed of work zone activities.

A chart of total U.S., work zone fatal crashes in 2021 and 2022 by factor.

Total Fatal Work-Zone Crashes in the U.S. from 2021 and 2022 (Source: FHWA)

Enhancing Law Enforcement Training

As part of ongoing safety improvements, Tennessee has updated its law enforcement training. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the state revised the “Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement Personnel in Work Zones” course. Now, all Tennessee State Troopers complete this training before being commissioned, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to manage work zones safely.

Additionally, the work zone safety group secured a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration grant to fund additional law enforcement activities in work zones. This initiative, launched in 2023 and continued through 2024, focused on identifying high-risk construction zones where unsafe driving behaviors are most prevalent. The collaboration between TDOT and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) resulted in hundreds of citations and significant improvements in safety in targeted work zones.

Collaboration with TDOT and Annual In-Service Training

TDOT has also contributed to enhancing law enforcement efforts by providing work zone-related content and instructors for the Tennessee Highway Patrol's annual in-service training. This collaborative effort ensures that work zone safety remains a top priority for law enforcement officers across the state.

Looking Ahead

As work zone crashes continue to pose a significant threat, the NTSB will continue to investigate the root causes and recommend safety improvements. Tennessee’s efforts serve as a model for other states seeking to reduce the risks associated with work zones. The success of the state’s work zone safety initiatives demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated action and commitment to improving highway safety.