The most obvious activity is Aircraft Accident Investigation. This function deals directly with the investigation of serious incidents or accidents occurring outside the territories of the United States. In addition we should note that from time to time, the Safety Board is invited to participate in foreign investigations of a special nature, including, for example, an accident of a new type design, or accidents with special visibility due to U.S. citizens or some sort of special mission. Another element of the international program is Research and Engineering Assistance. The Office of Research and Engineering staff receives frequent requests from foreign governments for investigative assistance.
Some requests involve metallurgical studies or failure analysis.
Other investigations require transcripts of cockpit voice recorder tapes, and readouts of digital flight data recorders. On some occasions there are also requests to provide sound spectrum analysis or flight path animations from flight recorder information. In addition, engineering work can also include detailed analysis of airplane performance derived from the recorders and other facts surrounding the accident. A third element of the international program involves Safety Training, Advocacy and Outreach. These initiatives take place with our peers in the world aviation community.