AFI91-206(I) 8 JULY 2004
7
Chapter 2
NTSB INVESTIGATION WITH MILITARY PARTICIPATION
2.1. General. A mishap involving both civil and military aircraft will precipitate a NTSB investigation.
Military investigations for safety or legal purposes may proceed concurrently, but the NTSB may exercise
first claim on evidence. To assist these separate investigations, it is important that nonprivileged informa-
tion concerning the mishap be exchanged promptly and completely.
2.1.1. NTSB proceedings differ from military investigations, however, the NTSB's experience in
investigations of general and commercial aviation accidents has established the validity of its method.
2.2. Organization. The NTSB IIC will organize the investigation in a manner considered expedient to
develop evidence. Organization is flexible and may be adjusted as lines of inquiry conclude or new topics
open.
2.2.1. The IIC will usually form groups, each chaired by a NTSB investigator, to concentrate on spe-
cific topics appropriate to the aircraft or mishap. Examples would be groups for operations, airframe,
2.3. Participation. The NTSB will admit into its investigation individuals or representatives of govern-
ment agencies, corporations, or associations whose personnel, products or services were involved in the
mishap.
2.3.1. By law, the FAA may exercise party status in NTSB aviation investigations, and a military ser-
vice may also exercise party status in the NTSB investigation of a mishap involving that service's air-
craft.
2.3.2. Additional parties may be admitted at the IIC's discretion, as he determines a need for technical
expertise or the unique knowledge a party can provide. Claimants' or insurers' representatives are not
admitted to the investigation.
2.3.3. Participation in the investigation does not include admission to NTSB analysis to determine
cause and formulate corrective action.
2.3.4. A party to an investigation is a company or agency with specific knowledge or skill needed by
the NTSB to perform the investigation. Parties furnish a coordinator to work with the IIC, and special-
ists to one or more specialized investigative groups at an accident scene.
2.3.5. The IIC may relieve a party from participating in the investigation for nonperformance or con-
duct prejudicial to the investigation.
2.4. Witnesses. The NTSB has subpoena power and can compel a witness to appear before its field
investigator, at a public hearing, or formal deposition, to provide a statement or testimony, but it cannot
compel the witness to provide incriminating statements or testimony.
2.4.1. A witness providing a statement to a field investigator is not normally sworn, however a wit-
ness at a public hearing or formal deposition testifies under oath. In either case the witness is advised
of the investigation's purpose.
2.4.2. Any statement or testimony becomes part of the investigation record.