WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board.

 

 

The Honorable Deborah A.P. Hersman, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board

 

Dr. Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office

 

 

“Unfortunately, it has been a busy year at the NTSB, which has been involved in a number of high-profile investigations.  NTSB investigators have been on the scene to lead each investigation right away.  I commend the agency for its unwavering commitment to public safety and for carrying out its responsibilities so diligently.  As we move forward, reauthorization legislation gives us an opportunity to address key challenges facing both the NTSB and our nation’s transportation system.  We intend to pass the NTSB reauthorization legislation soon, and expert feedback is critical.  Together, we can make real progress and improve the safety of our transportation system.”

“This morning we are here to discuss the activities of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and to consider proposals to reauthorize the NTSB.  At this hearing I would like us to review the NTSB’s current activities and discuss the level of resources necessary for them to accomplish their mission.  And I’d like to see if there are any incidents where the NTSB has lacked access to information relevant to their investigations and how a Reauthorization bill might address those issues.  In addition, given the timeliness of the NTSB’s investigation of Northwest Flight 188 that overflew the Minneapolis airport, I would like to hear from the NTSB about this event and discuss their initial findings in relation to their recommendations.”

“Transportation accidents are increasingly complex as machines and technology become more and more sophisticated.  Our challenge today is to remain highly skilled and up-do-date with an expert technical staff and state-of-the-art investigative tools to competently and efficiently conduct the thorough investigations you and the American people have come to expect and deserve.  With the help of Congress, we are currently up to the challenge, and with your continued support, we will keep pace with changes that are occurring in transportation, sometimes at breathtaking speed.”

“Overall, NTSB has fully implemented or made significant progress in following leading management practices in all eight areas that our recommendations addressed in 2006 and 2008—communication, strategic planning, IT, knowledge management, organizational structure, human capital management, training, and financial management.  We made 15 management recommendations in these areas based on leading agency management practices that we identified through our government-wide work.  Although NTSB is a relatively small agency, such practices remain relevant.”

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