WASHINGTON — A tragic incident involving a collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., resulted in the loss of 67 lives, intensifying the scrutiny on the federal agency responsible for investigating aviation accidents.
Jennifer Homendy, the Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has categorized the inquiry into this crash as a significant, “all-hands-on-deck event” for the organization.
The NTSB plays a crucial role as an independent federal agency tasked with investigating all civil aviation accidents in the U.S. Additionally, it addresses serious incidents across various modes of transportation, which include railroad disasters, significant automobile accidents, maritime events, pipeline mishaps, and even incidents involving commercial space operators. Homendy emphasized the commitment to a comprehensive investigation, stating, “We are going to leave no stone unturned in this investigation.” She highlighted that the examination is in its early phases and that the NTSB aims to thoroughly analyze the facts surrounding this tragedy.
The NTSB is governed by a board consisting of five members who serve five-year terms. These individuals are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, ensuring a level of oversight and accountability.
To investigate the recent crash, the NTSB will create multiple working groups, each focusing on specific aspects of the incident, according to board member Todd Inman. These groups include those dedicated to operations, which will delve into flight histories and crew roles; structures, which will examine the wreckage and accident site; power plants, focusing on the aircraft’s engine and related components; systems, analyzing electrical and hydraulic functions; air traffic control, which will scrutinize radar and communications data; survival factors, which will assess the injuries to passengers and crew along with rescue operations; and a group specifically centered on helicopter-related inquiries.
Moreover, a human-performance group will collaborate with the operations, air traffic control, and helicopter groups, investigating crew performance and any contributory factors, including potential human errors like fatigue, medication use, medical backgrounds, training, and workload factors, as noted by Inman.
While NTSB officials did not provide a timeline for the investigation, it is commonplace for such inquiries to span one to two years. Preliminary reports offering a summary of collected data from the accident site are typically released within weeks following the incident.
The origins of the NTSB date back to 1926, when Congress authorized the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate aviation accidents. In 1967, the NTSB was formed as an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation and was further established as a separate entity by Congress in 1974, making it independent from other federal bodies. Since its inception in 1967, the NTSB has investigated over 153,000 aviation accidents and incidents, highlighting its long-standing commitment to aviation safety.
