NTSB question

How does the NTSB go about researching GA accidents? Specifically,
how do they decide *when* they're going to do the investigation, and
when (or if) they are going to release information?

Our friend Blaine Andersen was killed in a crash near Grinnell, IA
last winter. See the preliminary report he

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...08X00158&key=1

Strangely, all these months later, it's still just the "preliminary"
report. This, while many accidents and incidents that have happened
since then have been given "factual" and "probable cause" reports.

Anyone understand the timing of this stuff? Anyone got experience
inside the NTSB? Blaine's family and friends are understandably
getting frustrated with the glacial pace of this investigation,
especially when compared to other more recent accidents that have been
laid to rest.

Thanks,
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:
How does the NTSB go about researching GA accidents? Specifically,
how do they decide *when* they're going to do the investigation, and
when (or if) they are going to release information?

Our friend Blaine Andersen was killed in a crash near Grinnell, IA
last winter. See the preliminary report he

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...08X00158&key=1

Strangely, all these months later, it's still just the "preliminary"
report. This, while many accidents and incidents that have happened
since then have been given "factual" and "probable cause" reports.

Anyone understand the timing of this stuff? Anyone got experience
inside the NTSB? Blaine's family and friends are understandably
getting frustrated with the glacial pace of this investigation,
especially when compared to other more recent accidents that have been
laid to rest.

Don't know.

If it were me, I'd call the Des Moines FSDO
and ask the Investigator-In-Charge, Mitchell
F. Gallo, those questions. Maybe you could
get a contact in the NTSB to talk to.

Sorry for your loss.

Jay Honeck wrote:
How does the NTSB go about researching GA accidents? Specifically,
how do they decide *when* they're going to do the investigation, and
when (or if) they are going to release information?

Our friend Blaine Andersen was killed in a crash near Grinnell, IA
last winter. See the preliminary report he

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...08X00158&key=1

Strangely, all these months later, it's still just the "preliminary"
report. This, while many accidents and incidents that have happened
since then have been given "factual" and "probable cause" reports.

Anyone understand the timing of this stuff? Anyone got experience
inside the NTSB? Blaine's family and friends are understandably
getting frustrated with the glacial pace of this investigation,
especially when compared to other more recent accidents that have been
laid to rest.

Thanks,

Over the years I've come to the completely unscientific conclusion they seem
to prioritize based on whether or not they are going to get any info out of
the investigation that will effect the greatest number of people.

As an example if there is a 172 that seems to have had a structural failure
in flight it will take priority over a one off experimental that did the
same thing.

I'd call the FSDO for the area and if you don't like or can't get an answer
from them I'd call the NTSB.

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...

Anyone understand the timing of this stuff? Anyone got experience
inside the NTSB? Blaine's family and friends are understandably
getting frustrated with the glacial pace of this investigation,
especially when compared to other more recent accidents that have been
laid to rest.

Being a government entity, I'd imagine that there's quite a bit of
behind-the-scenes stuff at play here. Manpower, internal and external
politics, civilian pressures (i.e. families, friends), and media are but a
few factors. Just think of all those wrecks they found while searching for
Fossett to get an idea of how some accidents are treated differently than
others.

Marco

"Marco Leon" wrote in message
news
"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...

Anyone understand the timing of this stuff? Anyone got experience
inside the NTSB? Blaine's family and friends are understandably
getting frustrated with the glacial pace of this investigation,
especially when compared to other more recent accidents that have been
laid to rest.

Being a government entity, I'd imagine that there's quite a bit of
behind-the-scenes stuff at play here. Manpower, internal and external
politics, civilian pressures (i.e. families, friends), and media are but a
few factors. Just think of all those wrecks they found while searching for
Fossett to get an idea of how some accidents are treated differently than
others.


The 9/11 "truthers" are telling us we're not done yet, six years on.

"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
...

The 9/11 "truthers" are telling us we're not done yet, six years on.

I hope you're not thinking that I meant it to be a conspiracy theory. I was
speculating from a pure process perspective. Simply-put, it's a high-profile
versus low-profile thing. If Jay's friend (may he rest in peace) happened to
be named John Travolta or be the son of a former president, then you can bet
there would be a 5-page preliminary accident report or maybe even a final
cause. I'd even speculate that if someone close to the situation knew
someone who worked for the NTSB, there would be more progress.

No conspiracy theories, just life in public service.

Marco

"Marco Leon" wrote in message
...
"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
...

The 9/11 "truthers" are telling us we're not done yet, six years on.

I hope you're not thinking that I meant it to be a conspiracy theory. I
was speculating from a pure process perspective. Simply-put, it's a
high-profile versus low-profile thing. If Jay's friend (may he rest in
peace) happened to be named John Travolta or be the son of a former
president, then you can bet there would be a 5-page preliminary accident
report or maybe even a final cause. I'd even speculate that if someone
close to the situation knew someone who worked for the NTSB, there would
be more progress.

No conspiracy theories, just life in public service.

Just pointing out that the nutcases still aren't satisfied with the
conclusions based on the evidence....six years out. Jay's friends case was
just, what ,seven months ago?

They may have missed this one, though:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6987965.stm

Of course we all know how the BBC is in bed with GWB and Co.

"Richard Riley" wrote in message
...

I consulted with them on the John Denver crash. There have been other
Long EZ crashes into the ocean, with fatalities, that they never
opened a file on.

Odd...I just did an NTSB search for accidents on "Long EZ" and came up with
two pages worth. Even the non-fatal crashes took over a year to investigate.


They did an investigation into the prototype Berkut crash. They never
talked to us,

Who is "us"?

they didn't get copies of the videotapes of the crash.
They just waited a year and issued a report saying it was an
acellerated stall. It wasn't - that much was obvious from the
videotapes.



But it got the file off someone's desk, and didn't pin
the blame on anyone who might object.

Doubtful.

If it hadn't happened at an
airshow I doubt they would have opened the file in the first place.

They do.

"Richard Riley" wrote in message
If it hadn't happened at an airshow I doubt they
would have opened the file in the first place.

"Matt Barrow" wrote:
They do.

Where did anyone get the idea that they don't investigate unless it's
someone famous or it happens at an airshow? That's sure not the case in
this neck o' the woods.

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...
How does the NTSB go about researching GA accidents? Specifically,
how do they decide *when* they're going to do the investigation, and
when (or if) they are going to release information?

Our friend Blaine Andersen was killed in a crash near Grinnell, IA
last winter. See the preliminary report he

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...08X00158&key=1

Strangely, all these months later, it's still just the "preliminary"
report. This, while many accidents and incidents that have happened
since then have been given "factual" and "probable cause" reports.

Anyone understand the timing of this stuff? Anyone got experience
inside the NTSB? Blaine's family and friends are understandably
getting frustrated with the glacial pace of this investigation,
especially when compared to other more recent accidents that have been
laid to rest.

Of course, a fatal accident is going to get priority over a fender-bender.

It's also going to be MUCH MORE thorough. Major components are going to be
subject to forensic testing, records are going to be very closely
scrutinized. Quite likely depositions are going to be taken rather than just
witness statements. The accident scene will be highly scrutinized.

The document you read on the NTSB site will be a composite of perhaps a
couple/several thousand pages of investigative notes, from several
investigators.

NOTE: It ain't like on TV where they're done in 45 minutes with 15 minutes
worth of commercials.