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Location:
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Oxford, Colorado
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Accident Number:
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CEN23LA048
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Date & Time:
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November 23, 2022, 13:07 Local
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Registration:
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N668M
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Aircraft:
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Hughes 369HS
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Hard landing
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Injuries:
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2 None
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use
Analysis
During a checkride with an applicant pilot, the designated pilot examiner was demonstrating a 180° autorotation. The applicant pilot reported the descent was too quick, the examiner flared too low, and the helicopter experienced a hard landing. An airport surveillance video showed the helicopter descend at a rapid rate and impact the runway. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor system. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Finding:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The designated pilot examiner’s failure to maintain a proper descent during a practice 180° autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.
Findings
Personnel issues - Aircraft control - Designated examiner
Aircraft - Descent/approach/glide path - Incorrect use/operation
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Factual Information
History of Flight
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Autorotation - Hard landing (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown - Tailstrike
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Check pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Airline transport
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Age:
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58
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane
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Second Pilot Present:
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Airplane single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane; Instrument helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Unknown
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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August 1, 2021
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Occupational Pilot:
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UNK
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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|
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Flight Time:
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0 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model)
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Student pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial Age: 40
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Left
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Restraint Used: 4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane Second Pilot Present:
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: February 1, 2023
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Occupational Pilot:
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No Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 1200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Hughes
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Registration:
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N668M
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Model/Series:
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369HS
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1971
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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310312S
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; High skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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October 25, 2022 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2550 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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9806.4 Hrs as of last inspection
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rolls-Royce
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ELT:
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Installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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M250-C20
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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400 Horsepower
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Rotorcraft external load (133), Commuter air carrier (135)
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Operator Does Business As:
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Operator Designator Code:
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8C0A
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KDRO,6629 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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1 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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212°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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12 knots / 20 knots
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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250°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.96 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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7°C / -12°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Oxford, CO
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Oxford, CO
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class E
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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DURANGO-LA PLATA COUNTY DRO
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Runway Surface Type:
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Asphalt
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Airport Elevation:
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6689 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Dry
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Runway Used:
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21
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IFR Approach:
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Unknown
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Runway Length/Width:
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9201 ft / 150 ft
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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Simulated forced landing
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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2 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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37.153552,-107.7518(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Lemishko, Alexander
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Shumway, Kerry J.; FAA-FSDO; Salt Lake City, UT
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Original Publish Date:
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April 20, 2023 Investigation Class:
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4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106366
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews.
The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b), precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.
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