Vol 6 - Issue 2 - September 2020
Highlighting NTSB Advocacy in Action
The Big Stories
#SafetyReminder Campaign Focused on Summer Safety
The NTSB launched its #SafetyReminder social and digital media campaign in mid-May to remind the traveling public about the importance of staying focused on safety during the summer as we slowly resumed air, rail, road, and marine travel following unprecedented stay-at-home restrictions related to the COVID pandemic. Read more about the campaign.
Transportation Communicator's Meeting - COVID Update
Safety advocacy professionals once again met with NTSB communicators and safety advocates on May 6 to discuss how transportation safety organizations are communicating their strategies and policy changes during the COVID-19 crisis. Read more about the communicator's meeting.
New 3-Year Term for Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg
On Aug. 26, President Donald Trump designated Bruce Landsberg to continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the NTSB for 3 more years. On Aug. 7, 2018, Landsberg began a 5-year appointment as an NTSB Board member, and a separate 3-year term as the NTSB’s Vice Chairman. Read more about the Vice Chairman's new term.
Highway Safety
School Bus Safety Meeting with Ohio Legislators, Regulators
Highway Safety Virtual Accident Briefing for Rec Recipients
Due to the COVID pandemic shutdown, the NTSB transitioned its planned April 7 live Board meeting on the October 30, 2018, school bus/pedestrian crash in Rochester, Indiana, which resulted in the deaths of three children, to a May 13 webinar presentation. Read more about the virtual accident briefing.
Sharing Safety Concerns with New Automakers Group
On July 21, Board members and staff from HS and the Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications met virtually with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation—formerly Auto Alliance and Global Automakers—to learn more about its new merged organization, often referred to as “Auto Innovators.” Read more about the meeting with the automakers.
Board Members on Heavy-Duty Trucking Podcast
Season 3, episode 5 of the Heavy Duty “Trucking Talks” Trucking podcast, released in July, featured Board Members Michael Graham and Thomas Chapman discussing issues on our MWL. Read more to see what MWL issues were discussed.
Illinois Crash Highlights 3 Most Wanted List items
A fatal, seven-vehicle crash that occurred on an Illinois highway on March 1, 2018, called attention to at least three of the 10 issues featured on our MWL. Read more about what caused the crash.
Sharing Lessons Learned from AV-Related Crashes
HS Project Manager and Human Performance Investigator Ensar Becic, Ph.D., discussed NTSB perspectives on autonomous vehicles in two separate virtual events. Read more about Becic's presentations.
The Engineer's Role in Ensuring Infrastructure Safety
During the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Conference, held Aug. 3–6, Chairman Robert Sumwalt discussed the roles and responsibilities of professional engineers in ensuring the safety of our nation’s infrastructure. Read more about his presentation to engineers.
Keynote Address to Texas Traffic Safety Professionals
Board Member Jennifer Homendy was the keynote speaker at the Texas Traffic Safety Virtual Conference on June 11, which was attended by traffic safety professionals from across the state. Read more about Homendy's keynote.
Presenting at Walk Bike Places Annual Conference
On Aug. 6, Research and Engineering Transportation Research Analyst Ivan Cheung briefed attendees of the virtual Walk Bike Places 2020 Conference on our Bicyclist Safety Study and recommendations to improve bicycle safety. Read more about what we told them.
Webinar for the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Pros
Board Member Jennifer Homendy participated in a webinar hosted by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) on June 24. She discussed the NTSB report development process and safety recommendations related to protecting vulnerable road users. Read more about Homendy's presentation.
Safety Message for Collegiate Volleyball Officials
Collegiate volleyball officials drive a lot throughout the season, often rushing from their day jobs, then drive home late at night after the match. Board Member Michael Graham joined a virtual meeting of collegiate volleyball officials on July 23 to encourage and promote safe driving. Read more to see what Graham told them.
Getting Back to School Safely - an NTSB Perspective
Throughout September and August, the NTSB focused some of its advocacy on ensuring students got back to school safely, even as school systems were attempting to address the challenges of COVID. Read more about the back-to-school safety initiatives we discussed.
Aviation Safety
Two Aviation Board Meetings Highlight MWL Issues
The NTSB held two virtual Board meetings highlighting a key aviation safety issue on our MWL, “Improving the Safety of Part 135 Operations,” and once again called attention to the importance of recorders in aircraft. Read more about the two investigations.
Chairman Featured Speaker in RTCA Webinar Series
Chairman Robert Sumwalt discussed the NTSB’s role in improving transportation safety in a webinar before members of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics on July 15. Read more about the RTCA webinar.
The Importance of Sharing Information on Bad Weather
On June 16, Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg attended the FAA’s PIREP Summit 2020, where he encouraged pilots to share information with other pilots in a timely manner to prevent accidents. Read more about Landsberg's presentation.
Aviation Investigator's Safety Tips for Women Pilots
Jennifer Rodi, Ph.D., a senior aviation investigator, briefed about 50 members of the Ninety-Nines international women’s pilot organization during a live webinar on May 21. Read more about the webinar.
Insurers & Underwriters Meet with Board Members
Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Board Member Jennifer Homendy both addressed aviation insurer and underwriters groups on NTSB safety concerns. Read more to see what Landsberg and Homendy told the insurers.
Marine Safety
Marine Accident Brief & Recreational Boating Safety Issues
May 22–28 was National Safe Boating Week, and it coincided with the release of an NTSB marine accident brief highlighting several concerning recreational boating issues. Read more about the brief and our recommendations on recreational boating.
Safety Reminders for Waterway Operators' Summer of Safety
Chairman Robert Sumwalt was the focus of the American Waterways Operators’ (AWO) third event in its “Virtual Summer of Safety” initiative. Read more about the Chairman's thoughts for waterway operators.
Lessons from El Faro for Maritime Students
On Aug. 27, Office of Marine Safety Acting Director Morgan Turrell was the featured speaker, as part of the Ed Fouhy Distinguished Virtual Speaker Series, at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center in Chatham, Massachusetts. Read more about Turrell's presentation.
Rail, Pipeline & Hazmat Safety
Recognizing 10-Year Anniversary of Marshall Oil Spill
On July 23, Board Member Jennifer Homendy participated in a roundtable, hosted by the Pipeline Safety Trust, that marked the 10-year anniversary of the Marshall, Michigan, pipeline rupture—one of the largest and most expensive inland oil spills to occur in the United States. Read more about the roundtable event.
Change in Shipping Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries
On June 8, the NTSB called for a change in air cargo shipping requirements for some types of lithium-ion batteries. The safety recommendations follow our investigation into an accident in which a shipment of lithium-ion batteries ignited while in transport on a delivery truck in Canada. Read more about our recommendation.
Calling for Safety Management Systems in Pipeline
Board Member Jennifer Homendy gave a keynote speech to the American Petroleum Institute (API) Pipeline Conference Webinar Series that aired throughout August and September. Read more about Homendy's keynote speech. 
Amtrak Office of Inspector General PTC Discussion
In the last week of August, Board Member Jennifer Homendy met with staff from the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General (OIG) during their annual audit training to discuss safety issues facing Amtrak and the rail industry. Read more about the OIG meeting.
Youth and Teen Outreach
Meeting with SADD Youth & Their Parents
On May 27, we joined the Students Against Destructive Decisions at a virtual joint event for a “transportation safety youth leader check-in.” Read more about our role in the youth check-in event.
Concordia College Student Visit with NTSB
On May 14, Safety Advocacy Division Chief Nicholas Worrell and Safety Advocate Stephanie Shaw participated in a virtual meeting with undergraduate students at the Concordia College Offutt School of Business to talk about the NTSB and our MWL. Read more about the school visit.
Select NTSB Reports, Alerts & Studies
Aviation Safety Recommendations Report: Install Flight Data, Audio, and Image Recorder Systems on all Turbine-Powered Helicopters (MWL issue: Part 135 Safety)
HAZMAT Safety Recommendation Report: Standards for Lithium-Ion Battery Shipments by Air 
Highway Accident Brief: Multivehicle Work Zone Crash on Interstate 84, Boise, ID (MWL issue: Fatigue, Collision Avoidance Systems)
Highway Accident Brief: Multivehicle Collision and Postcrash Fire in Partially Stopped Traffic on Interstate 290, Elmhurst, IL (MWL issues: Fatigue, Medical Fitness, Collision Avoidance Systems)
Marine Accident Brief: Contact of Leviticus Tow with Plaquemine Point Shipyard (MWL issues: Distraction, Impairment)
MWL Progress Report
Upcoming Events
October
1-31
National Distraction Awareness Month and
National Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month
In October, we will be participating in campaigns with industry groups and government organizations to highlight the dangers of driving distracted and promote tools/strategies for better protecting pedestrians on our roadways.
October
7
Distraction Awareness: Twitter Chat
Join @NTSB, @APCIA & @distractionadv for a Distracted Driving Awareness Month #TwitterChat! #DDAM2020 #Act2EndDD
October
9
NBAA GO--Virtual Safety Week
We will be participating in the National Business Aviation Association's National Safety Forum and other events. More info.
October
15
NETS Strength in Numbers Conference
We will be presenting at the Network for Traffic Safety Conference. More info.
October
18-24
National Teen Driver Safety Week
We will participate in NHTSA's teen driving safety campaign. More Info.
October
19
Webinar: Preventing Teen Driving Crashes
In partnership with Impact Teen Drivers and Students Against Destructive Decisions, we will host a webinar highlighting the resources needed to ensure safe teen driving practices.
October
20
NTSB Board Meeting: Conception Dive Boat Fire
The Board will meet to discuss the findings of the Conception Dive Boat Fire, which occurred off Santa Cruz Island, California. More info.
October
27
NTSB MWL Virtual Panel: Commercial Fatigue
We will join the FMCSA and industry representatives on a webinar to discuss "Managing Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue Risks." More info.
October
28
NTSB Transportation Communicators and Advocates Virtual Breakfast Meeting
NTSB meets with communications professionals in the transportation industry and government to discuss ongoing communications efforts. Interested in participating? Email: SafetyAdvocacy@ntsb.gov. 
November
25-29
Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Safety Campaign
We will participate in NHTSA's Thanksgiving Holiday Travel campaign, focused on impaired driving/drug-impaired driving.  More info.
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We look forward to continuing to work with you to prevent accidents and save lives.