The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was created by the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 as an independent body to investigate accidents involving civil aircraft. The NTSB is empowered to conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, take testimony, examine and test accident aircraft and their component parts, conduct autopsies or other necessities in any fatal accident, and in any accident involving substantial questions of public safety, may establish special boards of inquiry.

The NTSB is “solely responsible for the investigation of all accidents involving civil aircraft, or civil and military aircraft, which occur outside of the United States * * * to the extent * * * permitted by international policy and agreement”. Although the FAA may assist, it is the duty of the NTSB to determine probable cause of the accident.

The field investigation consists of all fact finding activities and is conducted under a designated Investigator-in-Charge who assumes responsibility for the supervision and coordination of all NTSB activities, including the on-site investigation.

The official policy of the NTSB is to provide as much of its reports and information to the public as possible under the Freedom of Information Act. Despite this policy, access to working files is often considered exempt from disclosure. Also exempt from public disclosure are records, investigations and reports derived from Board participation in foreign aircraft investigations. Personnel files, medical records and similar reports are exempt from disclosure if disclosure would harm the individual concerned or amount to an invasion of privacy.