The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government agency responsible for investigating and determining the probable causes of transportation accidents, primarily in the aviation, railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline sectors. Established in 1967, the NTSB’s primary objective is to promote transportation safety by providing impartial and thorough investigations, identifying safety issues, and recommending safety improvements to prevent future accidents.
In addition to accident investigations, the NTSB conducts safety studies, evaluates the effectiveness of other government agencies involved in transportation safety, and maintains a public database of aviation accidents and incidents. The agency also issues safety recommendations to reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall transportation safety. While the NTSB does not have the authority to regulate or enforce safety standards, its recommendations carry significant weight and are often adopted by regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders.