The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil
aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation—railroad,
transit,
highway,
marine,
pipeline, and
commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.
In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other
assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate.
We also serve as the
appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.