In the event of an aircraft accident, which office should be notified immediately?

• A. Nearest NTSB field office
• B. FAA regional office
• C. Local police department
• D. Airport management

Answer: (A)

Notifying the nearest NTSB field office right away is essential because the National Transportation Safety Board is the lead agency responsible for investigating aviation accidents. Prompt contact allows the NTSB to begin the investigation, secure the scene, gather evidence, and coordinate with other authorities as needed to determine causes and prevent repeats.

The FAA regulates and oversees safety, but the formal investigation into an accident is conducted by the NTSB, so they should be alerted first. Local police and airport management play important roles in emergency response and scene security, but they are not the lead investigative body, and delays in notifying the NTSB can hinder the determination of causes and appropriate safety actions.

If you’re involved in or witness an accident, provide the basic details to the nearest NTSB field office as soon as possible: location, time, aircraft type, operator, number of people on board, and any injuries or hazards. The NTSB will guide the next steps and coordinate with other agencies as needed.