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cover of episode 368 NTSB Accident Investigation Process with Jeff Guzzetti

368 NTSB Accident Investigation Process with Jeff Guzzetti

2025/2/11
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This chapter delves into the NTSB's accident investigation process, clarifying definitions of accidents, incidents, and serious incidents. It explores the NTSB's congressional mandate, resource constraints, and collaboration with the FAA. The roles of accredited representatives and the investigator in charge are also explained.
  • NTSB investigates all civil aviation accidents, but only selected incidents.
  • ICAO Annex 13 guides international accident investigations.
  • The NTSB's GO team handles major accidents, while smaller accidents are handled by field offices and FAA inspectors.
  • The FAA and NTSB have a symbiotic relationship but are separate agencies.

Shownotes Transcript

Max interviews Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB investigator, to discuss the accident investigation process, in relation to the DC midair collision. Jeff explains ICAO Annex 13, the international standard that guides accident investigations worldwide. He details the NTSB’s congressional mandate to investigate every civil aviation accident and explains their resource constraints, which often require FAA inspectors to assist.

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The conversation covers the NTSB’s investigative process, including the launch of a GO team for major accidents, the role of accredited representatives, and the importance of securing accident sites. Jeff discusses the retrieval and analysis of cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders, along with the increasing role of passenger electronics in investigations.

Max and Jeff also touch on the psychological toll of accident investigation, the impact of high-profile crashes near Washington, D.C., and the importance of avoiding premature conclusions. Jeff shares insights into his teaching at USC’s Aviation Safety Program and his consulting work.

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