Information for

Friends and

Family

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National Transportation Safety Board

Office of Transportation 

Disaster Assistance

490 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20594-2000

202-314-6185

1-800-683-9369

http://www.ntsb.gov

Participating Organizations

As the coordinator for Federal assistance, the 

Chairman of the NTSB may request support 

from the following Federal agencies and other 

organizations in accordance with the Aviation 

Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996:

American Red Cross

Department of Defense

Department of Homeland Security,

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Justice

Department of State

Federal Bureau of Investigation,

Office of Victim Assistance

The support of state, county and local government 

agencies is also required.

SPC0501 April 2005

NTSB Web Site 

The NTSB web site <http://www.ntsb.gov> is an 

important resource for families. Information on the 

site is updated as the investigation proceeds. NTSB 

investigations are thorough and, as such, may take 

a period of time to complete. For major accidents, 

a special web site for families may be created. 

Detailed information is given during the family 

briefings regarding the special web site address 

and access to the site. 

TDA staff may also be contacted using the 

information below.

Monday through Friday 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m. (EST)

National Transportation Safety Board

Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance

490 L’Enfant Plaza, East, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20594-2000

(202) 314-6185

(800) 683-9369

e-mail: assistance@ntsb.gov

Assisting Families of Foreign Victims

If foreign victims are involved in the accident, 

the Department of State works with TDA staff, 

the airline, and other agencies to obtain medical 

records, secure translation services, provide official 

notification to foreign governments, extend or 

grant visas, and facilitate consulate and customs 

services for the return of identified remains.

Memorial Services

If family members desire a memorial service, the 

American Red Cross will arrange a suitable interfaith service in the days following the accident. 

Family members are informed of the details at 

family briefings.

Personal Effects

Returning personal effects is the responsibility 

of the airline. Air carriers often designate a third 

party vendor to coordinate this process. Contact 

information for the vendor will be provided at 

the family briefing. The vendor will furnish family 

members with information on the process used 

to return personal effects.

MAJOR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
What

What

How

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Family Assistance Center

Soon after an accident, TDA personnel arrive 

on scene and establish a Family Assistance 

Center (FAC) at a hotel or other meeting facility 

agreed upon by the airline and the TDA Director. 

Consideration is given to security, quality of rooms 

and facilities, and privacy for family members 

when selecting the FAC location. In addition, a 

Joint Family Support Operations Center (JFSOC) 

is established and will serve as the focal point 

for coordination between representatives 

from Federal agencies and local government 

emergency services. Information for daily family 

briefings is obtained through the JFSOC.

On occasion, an NTSB Public Affairs Officer is 

assigned to the FAC. During the initial family 

briefing, families are advised of the media 

presence outside the FAC. The Board will always 

make every effort to protect their privacy. Family 

members are free to speak to the media. However, 

the NTSB will not coordinate or attend family 

interviews with the media.

Daily Family Briefings

TDA staff conducts a family briefing at least once 

a day at the FAC. This briefing updates families 

on the progress of the investigation and allows 

for questions to be asked of the IIC, other NTSB 

personnel, the medical examiner or coroner, and 

other parties to the investigation. For family 

members unable to travel to the FAC, a telephone 

conference-bridge allows for their full participation 

in the briefing. For security, a new password is 

given each day to access the conference bridge.

Upon arrival at the FAC, family members are issued 

a badge. Admittance to family briefings is by 

badge only.

Detach this business card along

the perforated edge to keep with you.

National Transportation Safety Board

Office of Transportation 

Disaster Assistance

Direct: 202-314-6185

Toll Free: 800-683-9369

e-mail: assistance@ntsb.gov

Internet: <http://www.ntsb.gov>

As a family member or friend of a victim of a major transportation accident, you may 

have many questions about the National Transportation Safety Board and the role 

we will play in the coming days, weeks and months.

 is the NTSB?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress 

to investigate all civil aviation accidents in the United States and significant accidents in other modes 

of transportation - railroad, highway, marine and pipeline. The NTSB determines the probable cause of 

accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. The NTSB operates 

independently from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and agencies such as the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA).

 is involved in a major accident investigation?

Upon notification of a major accident, the NTSB launches a Go-Team. On 24-hour alert, this team of 

experienced NTSB personnel brings focused technical knowledge to the accident investigation. In an 

aviation accident, a Go-Team is led by the investigator-in-charge (IIC) and typically includes specialists 

trained in witness interviews, aircraft systems and structures, maintenance, operations, air traffic control 

and meteorology. An NTSB Board Member often accompanies the team and serves as the Board 

spokesperson. Transportation Disaster Assistance specialists coordinate the resources of the variety 

of agencies assisting families. Media interactions are organized by an NTSB Public Affairs Officer.

 does the NTSB support families?

The Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 requires the NTSB to coordinate the disaster response 

resources of federal, state, local, and volunteer agencies. The Board’s staff of experienced disaster 

responders works closely with these agencies and the airline to meet the needs of aviation disaster 

victims and their families. Family counseling, victim identification and forensic services, communicating 

with foreign governments, and translation services are a few of the services the Board coordinates. 

The Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) provides information to family members following 

the accident. While on scene, TDA personnel conduct briefings and provide updates on the investigation 

to family members. Once the on scene phase of the investigation is over, TDA is the primary resource 

for information for family members as the investigation proceeds.

Medical Information

Identifying the victims of transportation 

accidents is a thorough scientific process. All 

victim identification and death certification 

issues are the responsibility of the local 

medical examiner or coroner. To assist forensic 

specialists in this effort, family members will be 

asked for information regarding the victim’s 

medical and dental history, also known as 

antemortem information. Each family is 

interviewed by an agent representing the local 

medical examiner or coroner and is asked to 

complete an antemortem questionnaire. The 

information collected in this questionnaire 

is the primary source for information used 

by forensic scientists to make a positive 

identification. Typically, DNA reference samples 

are also collected from family members 

at this time. Information provided in the 

questionnaires and the DNA information is 

confidential and used only for identification 

purposes. While providing this information is 

voluntary, it is strongly recommended.