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When an aircraft goes down, a common question arises: Why does it take so long to remove an aircraft after a crash? Following a major multi-car accident on an American interstate, law enforcement and investigators can respond, document, and reopen the affected route in a matter of hours. Commercial aviation disasters are different.
The context of an aircraft incident or crash can be complex and diverse, ranging from an inflight breakup to an aborted takeoff or mid-air collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the lead investigative agency for aircraft accidents. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Department of Transportation (DOT) Act that created the NTSB, which became independent of the DOT in 1974 to ensure "objectivity in its investigations and recommendations. "
The NTSB’s Office of Aviation Safety (OAS) investigates about 2,000 aviation accidents and incidents annually. The highly sequenced investigative process blends diligence, scientific rigor, organizational management, public relations, and compassion.
