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AFI91-206(I) 8 JULY 2004
2.4.3. A witness may be accompanied or advised by counsel or a representative of his choice.
2.4.4. Depending on the format used by the IIC or group chairman, parties may be allowed to attend
interviews and questioning of witnesses.
2.5. Investigation Sequence. An NTSB investigation usually proceeds as follows.
2.5.1. Field Investigation. The IIC, group chair, and parties gather at a location near the mishap site.
A Member of the NTSB proper may also be present if the mishap is of national significance or wide
pubic interest.
2.5.1.1. The IIC will hold an organizational meeting, exclude any whom he does not wish to admit
as parties to the investigation, summarize available information, appoint groups, and assign tasks.
2.5.1.2. The field investigation encompasses wreckage examination, component disassembly,
data or record retrieval, and witness interviews. Such activities may involve travel to other loca-
tions as the IIC or group chair considers appropriate.
2.5.1.3. The IIC will hold a daily progress meeting of all parties involved to hear group chair
present evidence and to direct further activities.
2.5.1.4. The field investigation will adjourn when the IIC is satisfied of its sufficiency. The chair
of each group will assemble a factual report for the IIC's inclusion in the investigation record.
2.5.2. Research and Component Examination. The NTSB's engineering staff and laboratory can per-
form scientific examination of material exhibits and conduct performance research. Additionally,
NTSB technical specialists can decipher and display various recorded data (i.e., radar, voice, and data
recorders) for the investigators' use.
2.5.2.1. An engineering or technical project by the NTSB will be documented in a factual report
which becomes part of the investigation record.
2.5.3. Public Hearing. As appropriate, a hearing may be convened to conduct part of the inquiry in a
public forum. Parties to the investigation are included in the hearing.
2.5.4. Determining Cause. Analysis to determine the cause(s) of the mishap is conducted internally
among NTSB personnel only (i.e., IIC, group chair, engineering and technical staffs). This process is
closed to parties.
2.5.4.1. Parties may submit written positions drawn from the evidence to propose findings, a
probable cause or causes, and recommendations. These submissions become part of the investiga-
tion record. The Board considers the body of evidence, its staff's analysis and any submissions, to
assign factor and probable cause.
2.6. Recommendations. When it finds an opportunity to promote aviation safety, the Board recommends
corrective action(s) to appropriate agencies, corporations or associations.
2.6.1. Parties may make written submissions proposing corrective action(s).
2.7. Board Meeting. For an accident of national significance or wide public interest, a public Board
Meeting may be convened after the investigation has been concluded, but before the investigation report
is released.
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