DATA & INFORMATION
PRODUCTS
The following is an alphabetical
list that describes information available from the NTSB, much of which
is on the NTSB web site. The Goverment Information Locator Service (GILS)
also offers a standard description format - see GILS
Records for more information. Almost all factual information about
an accident and all final documents issued by the Board are available to
the public in some form. Information products distributed by the Board
adhere to quality assurance guidelines.
Keep in mind that other transportation-related information may be available
from related sites.
To obtain any of this information, use the
links provided with each description, or see Information Sources & Contacts
.
Accident Reports
1. Accident Reports (Major)
Detailed narrative reports which contain the facts, conditions, circumstances,
analysis, conclusions and probable cause of major aviation, railroad, highway,
pipeline and marine accident investigations are published for all accidents
which resulted in a major investigation. For a major accident investigation
(which includes a team of specialists), press briefings are held on scene
in the days immediately following the accident. A public
docket containing factual information about the accident is available
approximately six months after the accident. Usually within a year, the Board
Members will review a draft of a major accident report in a public meeting
at Safety Board headquarters in Washington, D.C. Soon after the meeting, the
Board's Public Affairs Office issues an abstract containing the Board's conclusions,
probable cause statement, and safety recommendations
from the accident report; the final report of a major accident is subsequently
printed for public distribution.
Major accident reports are issued irregularly. All major accident reports
since 1996 are on the NTSB web site under Publications
and on CD-ROM (available from the Public Inquiries Branch while supplies
last). Reports are also available, for a fee, from NTIS by annual subscription
or by single issue. When ordering annual subscriptions, specify the transportation
mode and the type of publication (i.e., Aviation Accident Report). When
ordering single issues, specify the exact title of the document, the NTSB
report number or the NTIS accession number.
2. Accident Briefs (Non-major Accident Reports)
Reports of accidents in brief or summary format are issued for all aviation
accidents and for all non-major railroad, highway, pipeline and marine
accidents investigated by or for the NTSB, for which probable cause is determined.
The final reports are generally issued about a year after the accident in
a "brief of accident" format; a public docket
containing factual information is also available.
Brief reports for surface transportation accidents since 1998 are available
on the NTSB web site under Publications;
synopses of aviation accident briefs since 1983 are available from the
aviation accident database.
Copies of briefs are also available through the Public Inquiries Branch
and the NTSB contractor - see Contacts & Information
Sources. When ordering individual accident reports, specify the type
of document, the transportation mode and the date and location of the accident.
Annual Report to Congress
The Annual Report to the United States Congress details the
major activities of the NTSB aviation, railroad, highway, pipeline and
marine safety during the previous calendar year. The biennial additions
also include an appraisal, evaluation and review and recommendations for
legislative and administrative action and change, with respect to transportation
safety.
The report is issued annually. Annual Reports from 1996 and later are
on the NTSB web site under Publications.
They are also available, free of charge, upon request from the NTSB Public
Inquiries Branch. See Contacts & Information
Sources for details on obtaining these items.
Annual Review of Aircraft
Accident Data -- U.S. Air Carrier Operations
The Annual Review of Aircraft Accident Data contains statistical
tabulations and graphs of data compiled from reports of accidents involving
revenue operations of U.S. air carriers in a particular calendar year.
The report is divided into sections according to the Part of the Code of
Federal Regulations under which the aircraft were flown when the accidents
occurred (14 CFR Part 121 or 14 CFR Part 135). The Part 135 section is
further divided into scheduled (commuter air carrier) and nonscheduled
(on-demand air taxi) operations. Information provided within each section
includes a list of accidents, accident causes and related factors and accident
rates. Comparisons are made of data for the given year to averages of accident
data for several prior years.
The publication is issued annually, and is available on the NTSB web
site under Publications.
It may also be obtained, for a fee, from NTIS. When ordering the publication,
specify the exact title of the document, the NTSB report number or the
NTIS accession number. See Contacts & Information
Sources for details on obtaining this item.
Annual Review of Aircraft Accident
Data -- U.S. General Aviation
The Annual Review of Aircraft Accident Data contains statistical
tabulations and graphs of data compiled from reports of accidents involving
U.S. general aviation aircraft in a particular calendar year. The report
is divided into sections for general, operational, environmental and pilot
information. The report provides tabulations provide data describing the
types, causes, and circumstances of accidents. Accident rates (total and
fatal) are provided as are comparisons of the data of the given year to
averages of accident data for several prior years.
The publication is issued annually, and is available on the NTSB web
site under Publications.
It may also be obtained, for a fee, from NTIS. When ordering the publication,
specify the exact title of the document, the NTSB report number or the
NTIS accession number. See Contacts & Information
Sources for details on obtaining this item.
Aviation Accident Database
Since1983, accident data have been collected for about 600 data elements,
a subset of which is updated daily on the NTSB Web site under Aviation.
For 1964 through 1981, accident data were collected for about 300 data
elements, and for 1982, accident data were collected for about 600 data
elements. Additional features are described under the GILS
record. Database research for non-web-accessible information is available
through the Public Inquiries Branch - see Contacts
& Information Sources for details.
Initial Decisions of the Administrative
Law Judges
Initial Decisions set forth Administrative Law Judges' findings, conclusions
and decisions in safety enforcement proceedings involving petitions from
applicants denied airmen's certificates by the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration; and appeals from orders of the Administrator of
the Federal Aviation Administration suspending or revoking certificates
issued to airmen, aircraft, air agencies, and air carriers for alleged
violations of the regulations or for lack of qualifications to hold such
certificates. See Contacts & Information
Sources for details on obtaining these items.
NTSB Directives
NTSB directives are a manual of orders and notices, which identify
NTSB organization, policies and procedures. The directives are updated
as NTSB organization, policies, and procedures change.
The NTSB directives are available, free of charge, upon request from
the
NTSB Public Inquiries Branch. When ordering directives, specify the directive
number, title, or subject matter. When ordering the index, specify that
you want the index to NTSB directives. See Contacts
& Information Sources for details on obtaining these items.
Opinions & Orders
Opinions and Orders set forth decisions of the Board resulting from
the review of appeals from decisions of the Commandant of the U.S. Coast
Guard involving seamen's certificates or initial decisions of the NTSB
Administrative Law Judges involving airmen and/or air safety certificates.
Opinions and Orders are issued individually, in a monthly publication,
and in bound volumes containing several years of Opinions and Orders. The
NTSB web site contains an index to Opinions & Orders, as well as the
text of all Opinions & Orders since mid-1992 - see Legal
Matters.
A copy of the index is also available free from the NTSB Public Inquiries
Branch; copies of individual Opinions & Orders may be obtained from
the NTIS by annual subscription or single issue. The bound volumes are
available, for a fee, from the NTIS until limited supplies are exhausted.
When ordering individual Opinions and Orders, specify the type of document
(i.e. Opinions and Orders) and the Opinion and Order number. When ordering
annual subscriptions, the bound volumes, or the index to Opinions and Orders,
specify the type of document. When ordering single issues, specify the
exact title of the monthly issue, the NTSB report number, or the NTIS accession
number. See Contacts & Information Sources
for details on obtaining these items.
Pamphlets
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
This pamphlet provides general information on the mission and responsibilities
of the NTSB and how it accomplishes these responsibilities. This pamphlet
is updated only when there is a major change in the NTSB's mission and
responsibilities.
It is available, free of charge, from the NTSB Public Inquiries Branch.
See Contacts & Information Sources for details
on obtaining this item.
Press Releases
Press releases and media advisories are issued irregularly to announce
public meetings and hearings, offer official statements on significant
transportation events, and release abstracts of final reports following
the Board meeting.
Press releases are available on the NTSB web site under News
& Events,
and may be received as email via a subscription
service.
They are also available free of charge from the NTSB Public Inquiries Branch.
See Contacts & Information Sources for details
on obtaining these items.
Public Records and Files, including
Accident Dockets
Detailed records and files are maintained for specified periods of
time on all major Board activities, such as accident investigations, safety
recommendations, safety studies, special investigations, initial decisions
of the Administrative Law Judges, opinions and orders, and safety objectives.
These records are in addition to and support other published documents.
Public records and files are continuously maintained. Portions of the
public docket on major accident investigations may be made available on
the NTSB web site under the appropriate Board
Meeting
or
Public Hearing
schedule. All records and files are available, for a fee, from the contractor
of the NTSB. When ordering Public Records and Files, specify, if applicable,
the document or file number, or name and title of the record or document;
or for accident records, the date and location of the accident and the
operator or carrier involved. Complete and up-to-date docket information
will be listed in the current table of contents. When requesting docket
items, please note note that material other than written reports, such
as large blueprints, photographs, video tapes, computer diskettes, etc.,
will be indicated in the table of contents, but must be specifically requested,
often for an additional charge. See Contacts &
Information Sources for details on obtaining public records.
Selected items of high interest may appear on the NTSB Web site (http://www.ntsb.gov)
in support of a public hearing or Board meeting. At this time, however,
information on the web does not constitute the complete docket. To obtain
certified copies of the NTSB Public Docket for a particular accident, or
for more information, please contact the NTSB Public Inquiries Branch at
202-314-6551.
Regulations of the NTSB
Part 800 - Organization and functions of the Board and delegations of authority.
Part 801 - Public availability of information.
Part 802 - Rules implementing the Privacy Act of 1974.
Part 803 - Official seal.
Part 804 - Rules implementing the Government in the Sunshine Act.
Part 805 - Employee responsibilities and conduct.
Part 806 - National security information policy and guidelines, implementing
regulation.
Part 807 - Enforcement of nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in
programs or activities conducted by the National Transportation Safety
Board
Part 821 - Rules of practice in air safety proceedings.
Part 825 - Rules of procedure for merchant marine appeals from decisions
of the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.
Part 826 - Rules implementing the Equal Access to Justice Act of 1980.
Part 830 - Notification and reporting of aircraft accidents or incidents,
and overdue aircraft, and preservation of aircraft wreckage, mail, cargo,
and records.
Part 831 - Aircraft accident/incident investigation procedures.
Part 835 - Testimony of Board employees.
Part 837 - Production of records in legal proceedings 840 Rules pertaining
to notification of railroad accidents
Part 840 - Rules pertaining to notification of railroad accidents.
Part 845 - Rules of practice in transportation accident/incident hearings
and reports.
Part 850 - Coast Guard National Transportation Safety Board marine casualty
investigations.
On-line versions of these regulations are available from the Goverment
Printing Office
web site. They are also available, free of charge, from the NTSB Public
Inquiries Branch. When ordering regulations, specify, by number or by title,
the part or parts of the regulations needed. See Contacts
& Information Sources for details on obtaining these items.
Safety Recommendations
Safety Recommendations are issued by the NTSB as a result of the investigation
of transportation accidents and other safety problems. Recommendations
usually identify a specific problem uncovered during an investigation or
study and specify how to correct the situation. Letters containing the
recommendations are directed to the organization best able to act on the
problem, whether it be public or private. Safety Recommendations are issued
when a problem is identified, and are distributed individually and in a
monthly publication.
Information about Safety Recommendations, including the Most Wanted
List and an archive of safety recommendation letters from late 1998 to
present is available on the NTSB web site under Recommendations
& Accomplishments;
an e-mail subscription service
is also available for automatic notification when letters are issued. Individual
recommendations may be requested, for a fee, from the NTSB Public Inquiries
Branch. The monthly publication is also available, for a fee, from the
NTIS by annual subscription or single issue. When ordering individual recommendations,
specify the type of publication (i.e., Safety Recommendations) and the
recommendation number. When ordering annual subscriptions, specify the
type of publication. When ordering single monthly issues, specify the exact
title of the monthly issue and the NTSB recommendation number. See Contacts
& Information Sources for details on obtaining these items.
Safety Studies
A Safety Study is an examination of: the effectiveness of or need for
policies, programs, program management and operating practices, regulations,
rulemaking, or other actions of a Government agency in reducing transportation
losses; the technical aspects of a transportation system, subsystem, or
component; accident data through statistical analysis techniques; or the
history and progress of safety improvements undertaken to solve a particular
problem in aviation, highway, railroad, pipeline, marine, or hazardous
materials transportation. The study results in the issuance of a narrative
report on the facts, conclusions and any applicable recommendations.
Safety Studies are issued irregularly. Recent studies are available
on the NTSB web site under Publications;
studies are also available while supplies last from the Public Inquries
Branch or, for a fee, from the NTIS by annual subscription or by single
issue. When ordering annual subscriptions, specify that you want "Special
Reports." When ordering single issues, specify the exact title of the safety
study, the NTSB report number, or the NTIS accession number. See the Contacts
& Information Sources for details.
Special Investigations
There are two types of Special Investigations. The first type of Special
Investigation is an information-gathering effort concerning predetermined
subjects selected in support of safety studies, and the second type of
Special Investigation is an examination of technical issues and safety
problems identified in one or more accident investigations. On the first
type of Special Investigation a report will not be issued, but a file will
be maintained, which contains the facts, conditions, and conclusions, but
will not include a determination of probable cause. On the second type
of Special Investigation a detailed narrative report will be developed
and adopted by the Board, which contains the facts, conditions, conclusions
and, if applicable safety recommendations.
Special Investigations are issued irregularly. The record/file or publication
is available from the Public Inquiries Branch while supplies last; publications
are also available on the NTSB web site under Publications
or, for a fee, from the NTIS by annual subscription or by single issue.
When ordering annual subscriptions, specify that you want "Special Reports."
When ordering single issues, specify the exact title of the special investigation,
the NTSB report number, or the NTIS accession number. See Contacts
& Information Sources for details on obtaining these items.
Speeches and testimony of the Board
Members and Staff
The Members of the Board are frequently asked to speak before Congressional
Committees and state, local, and private organizations. Their prepared
statements enunciate NTSB positions on transportation issues. The topics
of these statements vary depending on the organization before which they
are speaking.
Speeches and testimony are issued irregularly and are available on
the NTSB web site under News & Events.
We Are All Safer
We Are All Safer is an irregular series that describes recent
NTSB-inspired improvements in transportation safety. It is available on
the NTSB web site under Publications,
or free of charge, from the NTSB Public Inquiries Branch. See Contacts
& Information Sources for details on obtaining this item.
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