Investigation guides and procedures are NTSB staff products intended to provide information and guidance to NTSB employees who are involved in organizing and conducting investigations. These documents have not been adopted by the NTSB Board Members, are not regulatory in nature, are not a binding statement of policy, and are not all-inclusive.

The recommended procedures are not intended to become obligations of the NTSB or to create any rights in any of the parties to an NTSB investigation or any other persons. Deviation from the guidance offered in these documents will at times be necessary to meet the specific needs of an investigation. However, such deviations from the guidance shall be within the sole discretion of the appropriate NTSB employees and shall not be the prerogative of parties to the investigation or other individuals not employed by the NTSB .

For information on Federal Regulations covering NTSB investigative authority and practices, please see our Legal Matters page.

Aviation Investigation Manual

• Major Investigations Manual [PDF]
• Major Investigations Manual - Appendices [PDF]
  
  Appendices include:

  IIC Checklist Cockpit Voice Recorder Handbook Stakedown Duties of Field Investigators On-Scene Organizational Chart IIC's Opening Statement at Organizational Meeting Guidance for Accredited Representatives, Advisors, Party Coordinators, and Other Participants in the Investigation of Aircraft Accident Reports by the Safety Board On-Site Safety Group Chairmen Checklists Sample Group Chairman Progress Meeting Brief Materials Laboratory Examinations Group Chairman Factual/Analysis Report Outlines

  Hearing Officer's Checklist for Preparing a Public Hearing Exhibit Cover Sheet and Identification Numbers Prehearing Conference Proceedings Public Hearing Proceedings IIC's Opening Statement to Board Meeting Petition for Reconsideration Procedures Policy on Freedom of Information Act Excerpt From ICAO's Manual Of Aircraft Accident Investigation Occupational Safety and Health Information Foreign Travel Information Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance Task List

  
  
  Flight Data Recorder Handbook [PDF]
• Cockpit Voice Recorder Handbook [PDF]
• NTSB Methodology for Investigating Operator Fatigue in a Transportation Accident [PDF]

• Instructions
• Aviation Coding Manual [PDF]
  Instructions and codes for storage and retrieval of information concerning aviation accidents in the NTSB database.

Jet Engine Problems [PDF]

Responding to an Aircraft Accident - How to Support the NTSB (For Police & Public Safety Personnel) [PDF]

Related Documents from Other Agencies and Organizations

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)   
• NASA Procedures and Guidelines for Mishap Reporting, Investigating, and Recordkeeping
• SAE Ethics for Accident Investigation and Reconstruction