Q: It was reported that the NTSB investigation of the Atlanta police helicopter crash on Nov. 3 would not be released for about a year. Why would it take that long? Are there that many aircraft crashes that need to be investigated or is the NTSB severely understaffed?
—Frank Manfre, Grayson
A: A number of factors go into the length of an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, spokesman Eric Weiss told Q&A on the News. The NTSB investigates "every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in other modes of transportation — railroad, highway, marine and pipeline," according to ntsb.gov. There were 1,781 aviation accidents in 2010, 1,807 in 2011 and 1,745 through Dec. 16 this year. "We're not understaffed. There are a lot of accidents, and we have a reputation for thoroughness," Weiss said. "We've earned that and do everything with that thoroughness, small and major accidents." The NTSB has 57 aviation investigators who work on a number of cases "at any one time." The investigators perform extensive work at the scene of the accident, including interviews and collecting perishable evidence. They then break down the accident by "man, machine and environment." They investigate the person piloting the aircraft, including medical and cell phone records, the aircraft itself, including electronic equipment, and then the other factors, such as weather and topography. "We cover everything," Weiss said. "Sometimes, if necessary, we issue safety recommendations. That's the way we do things."
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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