NTSB Mission
• Determine probable cause(s) of transportation accidents
• Make recommendations to prevent reoccurrence
• Conduct special studies and investigations
• Coordinate resources to assist victims and their families after an accident
NTSB Investigative Responsibilities
• All U.S. aviation accidents
– Except military/intelligence agencies
– US accredited representative for foreign accidents
• Selected rail accidents
• Selected highway accidents
• Selected marine accidents
• Selected pipeline accidents
• Selected hazmat accidents
NTSB Governance
Chairman
Deborah A.P. Hersman
Vice Chairman
Christopher Hart
Member
Robert Sumwalt
• Reports directly to Congress
• Independent federal agency
• No regulatory authority
• Composed of five Board Members
– Presidential nomination
– Senate confirmation
– Two/Five-year terms
Member
Mark Rosekind
Member
Earl Weener
NTSB/FBI MOU
• Updated and signed in 2005
• NTSB is the lead agency until it is determined to be a criminal/terrorist act
• Defined hand off procedure from NTSB to
FBI
FBI Assets • Assistance that might be requested from
the FBI:
– Evidence Response Team (ERT & TDT)
– Technical Hazardous Response Unit
– Disaster Squad
– Special Projects
– Airport Liaison Agents
– CI, CT, CASP
OZ 214
• 291 PAX 16 crew = 307 POB’s
• B-777-200ER
• Landing 28L
• First fatal 777 crash since a/c entered
service in 1995
• FAMS transported CVR/FDR to IAD
SFO Challenges
• NTSB investigation vs.
• Need to reopen 28R
• Need to reopen 28L
• Jet fuel in sewer system
SFO Challenges
• Runoff water
• Removal of jet fuel still in wing tanks
• Damage to power vaults
• Soil remediation needs
• Removal of wreckage
• Personal effects recovery
• US Mail
Need for Hazmat Experts
• Report of yellow Phosphorus in cargo bin (Very
bad stuff)
• Considered a hazardous material and should not
have been on a passenger aircraft
• FBI THRU team tracked down the receiver of the
shipment and found out it was yellow
PHOSPHOR which is not a high risk item based
on the quantity being shipped
SFO Challenges
• SFO assigned a single POC to NTSB on
scene liaison
• Ability to begin entry to scene by specific
SFO specialists or contractors to make
assessments of damage
• Coordination with Investigator in Charge to
have non investigative personnel on scene
SFO Challenges
• Tiered response to making repairs within
the investigative area • Runway lighting
• VASI light /NAV aids (FAA Flight Check)
• Runway paving
• Sea wall
• Electrical
• Runway markings/signage
Staged Operation
• Wreckage removal
• Window of opportunity to complete move
• Runway Sweeping
• Paving Equipment
• Runaway marking equipment
• Energize runway lighting
Staged Operation
• Lift ops began at 1730
• Window to move across 28 R 0200-0500
• Wreckage cleared 28 R by 0500
• Final repairs commenced at approx 0515
and 28L reopened by 1000hrs.
Important
• In the Asiana accident there were no
fragmented remains
• Add **significant time** to a remediation
in a mass fatality event with a large amount
of fire or fragmentation