PartyProcess
PartyProcess
The Party ProcessThe Party Process
The Safety Board investigates more than 2,000 aviation accidents and incidents a year and about 500 rail, highway,
marine and pipeline accidents. With only about 400 employees, the NTSB accomplishes this task by leveraging its
resources and designating parties to its investigations.
The Safety Board investigates more than 2,000 aviation accidents and incidents a year and about 500 rail, highway,
marine and pipeline accidents. With only about 400 employees, the NTSB accomplishes this task by leveraging its
resources and designating parties to its investigations.
NTSB regulations state, in part, that “parties to the field phase shall be limited to
Those persons, government agencies, companies and associations whose employees, functions, activities, or products were involved in the accident or incident, and
NTSB regulations state, in part, that “parties to the field phase shall be limited to
Those persons, government agencies, companies and associations whose employees, functions, activities, or products were involved in the accident or incident, and
The Party ProcessThe Party Process
who can provide suitable qualified technical personnel to actively assist in the field investigation”
who can provide suitable qualified technical personnel to actively assist in the field investigation”
The Party ProcessThe Party Process
The IIC designates parties on scene
The participation of accredited representatives from foreign countries is established under the provisions of Annex 13 of the International Convention on Civil Aviation which is administered by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The IIC designates parties on scene
The participation of accredited representatives from foreign countries is established under the provisions of Annex 13 of the International Convention on Civil Aviation which is administered by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The NTSB has complete discretion over which organizations it designates as parties, except FAA, which is a party by law
The NTSB has complete discretion over which organizations it designates as parties, except FAA, which is a party by law
Typically, parties include:
FAA (by law)
Air carrier
Airframe manufacturer
Engine manufacturer
Typically, parties include:
FAA (by law)
Air carrier
Airframe manufacturer
Engine manufacturer
Major component manufacturer
Pilot, ATC, maintenance and flight attendant union representatives
Local airport and law enforcement
Major component manufacturer
Pilot, ATC, maintenance and flight attendant union representatives
Local airport and law enforcement
Absolutely no news media, company media relations, attorneys, or insurance personnel are
permitted to participate in any phase of the investigation, including meetings
Absolutely no news media, company media relations, attorneys, or insurance personnel are
permitted to participate in any phase of the investigation, including meetings
Who to Send to an Accident:Who to Send to an Accident:
Parties to an investigation should send the following:
Party coordinator/spokesperson
Employees with expertise in the technical areas, (structures, systems, operations, etc.)
Parties to an investigation should send the following:
Party coordinator/spokesperson
Employees with expertise in the technical areas, (structures, systems, operations, etc.)
Party Coordinator:Party Coordinator:
Should not be assigned to a group
Supervises the group members from his/her organization
Works directly to support the IIC
Should not be assigned to a group
Supervises the group members from his/her organization
Works directly to support the IIC
Party Coordinator:Party Coordinator:
Must be able to speak for and make decisions for the organization they represent
Remains near or in contact with the IIC/command center at all times
Is responsible for ensuring that NTSB rules are followed
Must be able to speak for and make decisions for the organization they represent
Remains near or in contact with the IIC/command center at all times
Is responsible for ensuring that NTSB rules are followed
Party Coordinator:Party Coordinator:
The party coordinator is required to sign a form titled “statement of party representatives to NTSB investigations” which specifies that all members of their organization have read the applicable rules and regulations governing the investigation and agree to abide by them.
The party coordinator is required to sign a form titled “statement of party representatives to NTSB investigations” which specifies that all members of their organization have read the applicable rules and regulations governing the investigation and agree to abide by them.
Party Specialists:Party Specialists:
Must be a full-time employee of the party (no consultants)
Must possess needed expertise in group subject
Must be a full-time employee of the party (no consultants)
Must possess needed expertise in group subject
Party Specialists:Party Specialists:
Work under direct supervision of the group chairman
Must abide by the NTSB’s rules and procedures
Work under direct supervision of the group chairman
Must abide by the NTSB’s rules and procedures
No independent investigations by parties or group members are permitted
No information will be withheld from the NTSB
No independent investigations by parties or group members are permitted
No information will be withheld from the NTSB
What to Prepare ForWhat to Prepare For
Upon a launch to a major investigation, group team members should be prepared for:
Extended work hours lasting 7 to 21 days or more
Travel to off-site locations for follow-up group activities (such as tear down activities)
Upon a launch to a major investigation, group team members should be prepared for:
Extended work hours lasting 7 to 21 days or more
Travel to off-site locations for follow-up group activities (such as tear down activities)
What to Prepare ForWhat to Prepare For
Potential for extreme environmental, physical and psychological stress while on-site
“Team concept” cooperation and spirit
Once a specialist is assigned to a group, substitutions are highly discouraged
Potential for extreme environmental, physical and psychological stress while on-site
“Team concept” cooperation and spirit
Once a specialist is assigned to a group, substitutions are highly discouraged
Protective MeasuresProtective Measures
Any party specialist who might be called upon to participate in wreckage retrieval should have current tetanus and hepatitis-B inoculations
Federal regulations require investigators to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while on scene to protect against bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis-B and HIV
Party members must supply their own PPE
Any party specialist who might be called upon to participate in wreckage retrieval should have current tetanus and hepatitis-B inoculations
Federal regulations require investigators to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while on scene to protect against bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis-B and HIV
Party members must supply their own PPE
Lines of Authority for Conflict ResolutionLines of Authority for Conflict Resolution
Director, Office of Aviation Safety
IIC – accredited representative
Party coordinator
Group chairman
Group member
If problems arise, they should be brought to the attention of the group chairman and IIC immediately for resolution in consultation with the respective party coordinators or accredited representatives
Director, Office of Aviation Safety
IIC – accredited representative
Party coordinator
Group chairman
Group member
If problems arise, they should be brought to the attention of the group chairman and IIC immediately for resolution in consultation with the respective party coordinators or accredited representatives
Group RepresentationGroup Representation
Group members are responsible for pointing out discrepancies in factual reports
Issues regarding the scope of the investigation, findings or the content of factual notes should be resolved with the group chairman
If issues cannot be resolved at this level, the party coordinator and group chairman should apprise the IIC for resolution
Group members are responsible for pointing out discrepancies in factual reports
Issues regarding the scope of the investigation, findings or the content of factual notes should be resolved with the group chairman
If issues cannot be resolved at this level, the party coordinator and group chairman should apprise the IIC for resolution
Group RepresentationGroup Representation
If a satisfactory resolution is not forthcoming, the coordinator should request that the IIC raise the issue to the chief, major investigations division for resolution
A full set of all final group chairman’s factual reports with attachments are provided to party coordinators upon completion
If a satisfactory resolution is not forthcoming, the coordinator should request that the IIC raise the issue to the chief, major investigations division for resolution
A full set of all final group chairman’s factual reports with attachments are provided to party coordinators upon completion
Discussions About the InvestigationDiscussions About the Investigation
Parties and groupmembers are prohibited from speaking about investigative findings with the news media or public
Group members should advise their coordinatorsof pertinent information,but should refrain from speculating or analyzing unsubstantiated information
Parties and groupmembers are prohibited from speaking about investigative findings with the news media or public
Group members should advise their coordinatorsof pertinent information,but should refrain from speculating or analyzing unsubstantiated information
Completion of On-Scene PhaseCompletion of On-Scene Phase
Before being released from the scene, all group members must:
Assist in the completion of field notes that accurately record the evidence gathered at the accident site
Sign the field notes or indicate discrepancies
No group member is released from the scene until their group’s on-scene investigation is complete and the factual field notes have been reviewed, initialed by each group member and approved by the IIC
Before being released from the scene, all group members must:
Assist in the completion of field notes that accurately record the evidence gathered at the accident site
Sign the field notes or indicate discrepancies
No group member is released from the scene until their group’s on-scene investigation is complete and the factual field notes have been reviewed, initialed by each group member and approved by the IIC
Post On-Scene PhasePost On-Scene Phase
Parties in good standing are invited to participate is several ways after the on-scene phase. They will be asked to participate in:
Scheduled hearings held in furtherance of the investigation
Followup tests, interviews or studies initiated by their group
The technical review of the completeness of the factual portion of theinvestigation
Parties in good standing are invited to participate is several ways after the on-scene phase. They will be asked to participate in:
Scheduled hearings held in furtherance of the investigation
Followup tests, interviews or studies initiated by their group
The technical review of the completeness of the factual portion of theinvestigation
Final ReportFinal Report
Parties do not participatein the analysis of the draft final report, however
Parties can contribute to the analytical process by submitting their own findings, recommendations and probable cause based on the factual reports
Parties do not participatein the analysis of the draft final report, however
Parties can contribute to the analytical process by submitting their own findings, recommendations and probable cause based on the factual reports
Final ReportFinal Report
These ‘party submissions’ become part of the public docket and are considered by staff and the Board Members before adoption of the final report by the Board
These ‘party submissions’ become part of the public docket and are considered by staff and the Board Members before adoption of the final report by the Board
Other Party ResponsibilitiesOther Party Responsibilities
The party system is designed to provide factual information as it is discovered. Parties are encouraged to take immediate corrective action to prevent a similar accident if factual information uncovered during the investigation warrants such action. However, the party coordinator is expected to apprise the IIC of any such actions before they are taken
The party system is designed to provide factual information as it is discovered. Parties are encouraged to take immediate corrective action to prevent a similar accident if factual information uncovered during the investigation warrants such action. However, the party coordinator is expected to apprise the IIC of any such actions before they are taken