About the National Transportation Safety Board

To promote transportation safety by

• 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 (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families.

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. More Info >

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. More Info >

The NTSB has approximately 400 employees located in its Headquarters in Washington, DC, and in regional field offices in Ashburn (VA), Atlanta (GA), Miami (FL), Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Arlington (TX), Federal Way (WA), Anchorage (AL), and Gardena (CA). More Info >