Vol 6 - Issue 3 (Sep-Dec 2020)
Highlighting NTSB Advocacy in Action
The Big Stories
COMING MARCH 9! New Most Wanted List of Improvements
The 2019–2020 Most Wanted List campaign is ending, and the NTSB is gearing up for the 2021–2022 list, which will be announced during a public virtual Board meeting on March 9, 2021. For updates, follow our Twitter handles (@NTSB and @NTSB_Newsroom), check your inbox, or visit our website
PTC Implementation Deadline Campaign; Success at Last!
On Dec. 31, 2020, the final congressional deadline passed for railroads to implement positive train control (PTC) systems—technology that could prevent train collisions and overspeed derailments or lessen their consequences by providing an automated backstop for human operators. We are pleased to see that, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), all the required railroads have met the deadline. Read more about our PTC deadline campaign efforts.
Transportation Communicator's Breakfast Meeting
On Oct. 28, 2020, a dozen communications professionals from transportation safety advocacy organizations across the country met with our advocacy team to discuss current communications strategies and advocacy efforts during the COVID pandemic. Read more about our meeting with transportation communicators.
Highway Safety
MWL Webinar on Managing CMV Driver Fatigue
On Oct. 27, 2020, we hosted a Most Wanted List webinar, “Managing Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue Risks,” in which we highlighted the findings of NTSB fatigue‑related highway crash investigations and discussed why companies should implement a fatigue risk-management program. Read more about our fatigue webinar.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month Activities
October was National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distraction is featured on our Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements and has been for many years, so we teamed up with other national organizations to advocate for an end to the issue. Read more about our efforts to highlight distraction dangers.
Speaking to Vehicle Technologies: Benefits and Cons
Board Member Michael Graham joined the AAA for a virtual town hall on vehicle automation on Oct. 15, 2020. Topics included our engagement in the autonomous vehicle landscape, lessons learned from automated vehicle crash investigations, and the important role of government, the auto industry, and consumers in using automation safely. Read more about Graham's presentation talking points.
School Bus Safety: Sharing What We Have Learned
Throughout the fall of 2020, NTSB staff and Board members presented to school bus and pupil transportation associations, and highlighted school bus safety issues on NTSB’s social and digital media platforms. Read more about our school bus safety efforts.
Alcohol & Drug Impairment: Focus of Holiday Travel Message
The holiday season—November and December—is a time of increased alcohol-impaired driving crashes. In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, the NTSB supported the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) “Make it to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve” campaign, posting social media messages reminding drivers about the dangers of impairment. Read more about our impairment campaign.
Schoharie, NY, Limo Crash Investigation
On Sept. 29, 2020, highway safety investigators presented the Board with the findings of their investigation of the fatal Oct. 6, 2018, Schoharie, New York, stretch limousine crash that killed all 18 limousine occupants as well as two pedestrians. Read more about our Schoharie investigation.
Randolph, NH, Truck and Motorcycles Crash Investigation
On Dec. 1, 2020, highway safety investigators presented the Board with the findings of their investigation of the June 21, 2019, crash of a pickup truck into a group of motorcyclists in Randolph, New Hampshire. Read more about our Randolph investigation.
A Safety Reminder for Company Fleet Owners
On Oct. 15, 2020, Board Member Jennifer Homendy provided the keynote address to members of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, an organization of road safety professionals employed by companies whose fleets range from fewer than 100 vehicles to those with more than 50,000. Read more about Homendy's presentation talking points.
National Sheriffs' Association Safety Presentation
The law enforcement officer community plays a key role in improving highway safety and can help promote NTSB safety recommendations, NTSB Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell and Highway Safety Investigator Sheryl Harley reminded attendees at the National Sheriffs’ Association Virtual Traffic Safety Committee meeting on November 18, 2020. Read more about Worrell's and Harley's presentation to association members.
Aviation Safety
Two Aviation Alerts: Weather and Oil Leaks
In September and December, we released two aviation safety information products—a safety alert on weather hazards and a safety advisory on general aviation oil leaks. Read more about what's in our safety alert and safety advisory.
Chairman Keynote at NBAA National Safety Forum
On Oct. 9, 2020, Chairman Robert Sumwalt provided the keynote address at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) Virtual National Safety Forum (NBAA GO Virtual Safety Week). Read more about the Chairman's presentation to NBAA members.
Technology and Safety: Thoughts for Air Traffic Controllers
On Sept. 17, 2020, Board Member Jennifer Homendy gave a virtual keynote address to attendees at the Air Traffic Controllers Association Tech Symposium. Read more about Homendy's presentation talking points to controllers.
Marine Safety
Conception Accident Findings & Small Vessel Safety Issues
On Oct. 20, 2020, marine safety investigators presented the Board with the findings of their investigation into the California dive boat fire that took the lives of all 33 passengers and 1 crew member on Sept. 2, 2019, in one of the deadliest marine accidents the NTSB has ever investigated. Read more about the Conception investigation findings.
Safer Seas Digest: Lessons Learned from 2019 Accidents
In December, we released a report of the most important lessons learned from marine accident investigations completed during calendar year 2019. Safer Seas Digest 2019 details the lessons learned from 30 maritime tragedies, including the loss of the amphibious vessel Stretch Duck 7 and its 17 passengers and crew, and the deaths of 10 sailors serving aboard the USS John S McCain when it collided with the tanker Alnic MC. Read more about what's inside the annual Digest.
Rail, Pipeline & Hazmat Safety
Railroad Safety Week & Railroad Crossing Improvements
Every September, Rail Safety Week helps raise public awareness about staying safe near highway–rail grade crossings and railroad rights-of-way. In support of this year’s Rail Safety Week campaign, Board Member Jennifer Homendy blogged about the hundreds of people fatally struck by trains in avoidable incidents, as well as the many close calls. Read more about NTSB's activities for Rail Safety Week.
A Focus on Moving 'Dangerous Goods'
Lithium-ion batteries and the transport of hazardous materials on our railways was the focus of several presentations Hazardous Materials Accident Investigator Rachael Gunaratnam gave between September and November 2000. Read more about Gunaratnam's presentations on HAZMAT safety concerns.
International Advocacy
Asian Business Aviation Association Presentation
On Nov. 18, 2020, Chairman Robert Sumwalt discussed pilot procedural compliance and the importance of establishing safety management systems and a safety culture in all commercial operations during a virtual presentation at the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) Safety Summit 2020. Read more about the Chairman's presentation to AsBAA members.
Sharing Lessons with Road Safety Pros Outside United States
Road safety deaths are not just a public health problem in the United States; 1.35 million people are killed worldwide per year—almost three per minute—in motor vehicle crashes. This is one reason we accepted an invitation to share lessons learned from accident investigations at several international conferences focused on road safety issues. Read more about our presentation to road safety professionals.
Youth and Teen Outreach
Webinar to Kick Off National Teen Driver Safety Week
On Oct. 19, 2020, we joined forces with Impact Teen Drivers and Students Against Destructive Decisions to kick off National Teen Driver Safety Week with a 1.5-hour interactive webinar for teens and organizations that work with teens on driving-safety issues. Read more about our webinar to teens and educators about young driver safety issues.
Legislative Activities
Addressing Black Caucus Legislators about Highway Safety
NTSB Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell addressed state legislators and hundreds of students from high schools who participated in the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Annual Conference Nov. 30–Dec. 5, 2020. Read more about Worrell's presentation to state legislators.
California: Pipeline Safety Hearing
On Oct. 13, 2020, Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Director Rob Hall presented testimony before the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Subcommittee on Gas, Electric and Transportation Safety regarding pipeline industry safety improvements. Read more Hall's testimony to California state legislators on pipeline safety.
Maryland: Residential Pipeline Explosions Briefing
On Nov. 20, 2020, NTSB Government Affairs & Industry Analyst Steve Blackistone testified before the Maryland Public Safety Commission about the lessons learned from our investigation of the Merrimack Valley pipeline explosions (Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts). Read more about Blackistone's testimony to Maryland officials on the findings of Merrimack.
Select NTSB Reports, Alerts & Studies
Aviation Safety Recommendation Report: Stratus Oil Filter Adapter Assembly Oil Leaks 
Aviation Safety Alert: Flight in Snow
Highway Accident Report: Stretch Limousine Run-Off-Road Crash, Schoharie, NY (MWL issue: occupant protection)
Highway Accident Report: Collision Between Pickup Truck with Trailer and Group of Motorcycles, Randolph, NY (MWL issues: impairment, fatigue)
Marine Accident Report: Fire Aboard Small Passenger Vessel Conception, Santa Barbara, CA (MWL: occupant protection)
Railroad Accident Report: CSX Train Derailment with Hazardous Materials Release, Hyndman, PA (MWL issue: HAZMAT)
Railroad Accident Report: Collision of Two CSX Transportation Freight Trains, Carey, OH (MWL issue: PTC, impairment)
MWL Progress Report - Hits & Misses
Upcoming Events
February
2-4
Member Jennifer Homendy will present in a conference focused on litigation and regulation in the aviation industry, hosted by Fox Rothschild, LLC.
February
9
The Board will meet to determine the probable cause of the fatal, Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash near Calabasas, California.
April
26-28
We will be present at the largest gathering of national highway safety professionals in the United States.
March
9
The board will meet to determine the 2021-2022 list of top safety priorities.
See Us On Social Media:
You are receiving this e-newsletter because you have expressed interest in transportation safety and advocacy happenings at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). You can opt out of receiving this information at any time using the 'Unsubscribe' link below.
We look forward to continuing to work with you to prevent accidents and save lives.