Shutdown prevented ‘dozens’ of investigations, NTSB reports
Washington – A series of ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigations were delayed and “dozens” of new investigations could not be launched during the 16-day federal government shutdown, the board announced Oct. 22.
According to NTSB, 383 out of 405 employees were issued furlough notices during the shutdown, which began Oct. 1.
Among the delayed investigations:
- Fatal Asiana Airlines crash at San Francisco International Airport on July 6
- Seastreak Wall Street ferry crash in New York City on Jan. 9
- Boeing 787 battery fire on Jan. 7
Other than a small number of incidents in which an investigation was necessary to protect “life or property,” the majority of incidents that occurred during the shutdown – including 59 in aviation – will not be investigated, NTSB stated. However, investigators of a Sept. 30 Chicago Transit Authority train collision were allowed to stay on scene for five days because of concerns of a repeat incident until safety recommendations could be issued.