Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we introduce our new podcast co-host, NTSB Transportation Safety Specialist Anthony Lam, and learn about his background in aviation safety and podcasting. We also say “farewell, and thanks” to Stephanie Shaw, as she steps down from her co-hosting role to focus on other initiatives at NTSB. Subscribe to us … Continue reading Episode 59: NTSB Transportation Safety Specialist Anthony Lam →

In a new episode of our Behind the Scene @NTSB podcast, we talk with Ellen Lee, Project Manager and Brian Bragonier, Investigator, both in the Office of Highway Safety, about the January 29, 2022, multi-vehicle collision in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The NTSB final report for the investigation we discussed is available on our website. The recording … Continue reading EPISODE 58: NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV CRASH INVESTIGATION →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB we talk with NTSB Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations' HazMat Branch about their work to improve transportation safety. To read some of the investigative reports discussed in this episode, visit our webpage. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast platform. And find … Continue reading Episode 57: Hazardous Materials Branch →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with staff from the Office of Marine Safety, the Office of Railroad, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Investigations, and the Office of Research and Engineering, about the investigation of the 2021 Anchor Strike of Underwater Pipeline and Eventual Crude Oil Release in San Pedro Bay off the coast … Continue reading Episode 56: San Pedro Bay Marine and Pipeline Investigation →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with staff from our Vehicle Recorders Division, in the Office of Research and Engineering, about the work they do to support transportation safety investigations, and how they contribute to the mission of the NTSB. For more information about NTSB job opportunities, visit our webpage. To learn more about … Continue reading EPISODE 55: NTSB VEHICLE RECORDERS DIVISION →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB we talk with Senior Air Traffic Control Investigator Betty Koschig and Senior Aviation Accident Analyst Allison Diaz in the Office of Aviation Safety, about their work to improve aviation safety and the NTSB's participation in the upcoming Women in Aviation International conference. Hear more about opportunities to work at … Continue reading Episode 54: Women in Aviation →

In a new episode of our Behind the Scene @NTSB podcast, we talk with Meg Sweeney, Project Manager and Shawn Currie, Motor Carrier Factors Investigator, both in the Office of Highway Safety, about the October 27, 2020, collision between a service truck and school bus in Decatur, Tennessee. The NTSB final report for the investigation we discussed is … Continue reading Episode 53: Decatur, TN Crash Investigation →

This week is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. In a new episode of our Behind-the-Scene @NTSB podcast, we talk with Safety Recommendations Division Chief Jeff Marcus, Human Performance Investigator Dennis Collins, and National Resource Specialist Jana Price, Ph.D., about fatigue and NTSB fatigue-related crash investigations. They also discuss NTSB safety recommendations aimed at mitigating fatigue risk … Continue reading Episode 52: Drowsy Driving Prevention Week →

In a new episode of our Behind-the-Scene @NTSB podcast, we talk with Morgan Turrell, Director, Office of Marine Safety about the lessons learned from the 2019 Conception disaster. To learn more about the NTSB Conception investigation, and to access the full investigative report and docket, visit our investigation webpage. For more information about the NTSB Most … Continue reading Episode 51: Conception Investigation →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we celebrate the 50th episode with NTSB Executive Officer Erik Strickland and Safety Advocacy Division Chief Nicholas Worrell to talk about the genesis for the podcast, reflect on the interviews with Board Members and staff since the podcast was launched in 2017, and look to the future as we … Continue reading Episode 50: NTSB Executive Officer Erik Strickland →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB we talk with Tim LeBaron, Director; Kristi Dunks, Acting Deputy Director for Regional Operations; and Aaron Sauer, Senior Air Safety Investigator, in the Office of Aviation Safety, about their work to improve general aviation safety and the NTSB's participation in the upcoming EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event. Hear more about … Continue reading Episode 49: EAA Air Venture Oshkosh 2022 →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we have a conversation with James Anderson, the Audio Visual Communication Specialist in the NTSB Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications and the Producer of the NTSB podcast. James shares how he got interested in audio and video production, his career path to the NTSB, and some notable projects he's worked … Continue reading Episode 48: James Anderson →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Highway Factors Investigator, Dan Walsh discusses the 2020 multi-vehicle crash investigation near Mt. Pleasant Township, PA, and we explore the safety issues and safety recommendations issued as a result of our investigation. The NTSB final report for the Multivehicle Crash Near Mt. PleasantTownship, Pennsylvania, mentioned in this episode is available on … Continue reading Episode 47: Mt. Pleasant Township, PA Crash Investigation →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Chair Jennifer Homendy reflects on her NTSB journey so far, her transition from Board Member to Chair, and talks about our Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements, the Safe System Approach, and what she hopes to see accomplished to improve transportation safety as head of the agency. For … Continue reading Episode 46: Chair Jennifer Homendy →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we talk with Mike Fox and Steve Prouty, Highway Crash Investigators, Nathan Doble, Transportation Research Analyst and Brittany Rawlinson, Statistician about the 2021-2022 Most Wanted List safety items Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Speeding-Related Crashes and Protect Vulnerable Road Users through a Safe System Approach. For more information about the … Continue reading EPISODE 45: MOST WANTED LIST – VULNERABLE ROAD USERS AND SPEEDING →

October 17-23, 2021 was designated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as Teen Driver Safety Week, a time dedicated to raising awareness of preventive measures that can be taken to eliminate teen injuries and fatalities on American roadways. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, State and Local Liaison Steve Blackistone, Chief of the … Continue reading EPISODE 44: TEEN DRIVER SAFETY →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we talk with Rob Hall, Director, NTSB Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations and Railroad Accident Investigators, Tim DePaepe and Joe Gordon, about the 2021-2022 Most Wanted List safety item Improve Rail Worker Safety. To learn more about the NTSB Most Wanted List and the Improve Rail Worker Safety item, … Continue reading Episode 43: Improve Rail Worker Safety →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, NTSB Managing Director, Sharon Bryson and Frank Hilldrup, Chief Technical Advisor for International Affairs, NTSB Office of Aviation Safety, talk about the July 17, 1996, TWA flight 800 accident.  We discuss what happened, the findings and safety recommendations that came out of the investigation, its tremendous impact on aviation … Continue reading Episode 42: TWA Flight 800 →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt reflects on his time at the NTSB, from his first day on the job, to how he's feeling about his last day as Chairman. He also shares memorable moments during his 15 years at NTSB and some of the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. Chairman … Continue reading Episode 41: Chairman Robert Sumwalt →

May has been designated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, to help motorists understand standard motorcycle driving behaviors and learn how to drive safely around motorcycles on our roadways. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, NTSB Highway Crash Investigators Kenny Bragg and Mike Fox discuss our investigation of … Continue reading Episode 40: Motorcycle safety month →

May 22-28, 2021, has been designated as National Safe Boating Week, which kicks off a yearlong campaign promoting the importance of wearing a life jacket. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we talk with Morgan Turrell, Director, NTSB Office of Marine Safety, about the 2021-2022 Most Wanted List safety item Improve Passenger and Fishing Vessel … Continue reading Episode 39: Marine Safety →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Member Jennifer Homendy and Tim DePaepe, Railroad Accident Investigator, Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations, about Positive Train Control (PTC), NTSB PTC-related investigations and recommendations and other rail safety issues. Fully Implement Positive Train Control is on the NTSB 2019-2020 Most Wanted List. Member Homendy’s full bio … Continue reading Episode 38: Positive Train Control →

October has been designated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as National Pedestrian Safety Month, with the goal of increasing awareness about pedestrian safety, and reminding drivers and walkers that staying safe is a shared responsibility. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, Member Tom Chapman, his Special Assistant Ivan Cheung, and Senior Highway … Continue reading EPISODE 37: PEDESTRIAN SAFETY →

October 2020 has been designated Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This national effort focuses on ways to change driver behavior through legislation, enforcement and education. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we have a conversation with Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Senior Highway Safety Investigator Don Karol talk about NTSB crash investigations involving distraction, the decisions … Continue reading Episode 36: DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Member Michael Graham and Highway Investigators Michele Beckjord and Meg Sweeney share lessons learned from our school-transportation-related crash investigations and discuss why school buses are the safest form of transportation for students. For more information about NTSB school transportation-related investigations, safety recommendations and presentations, visit the NTSB School Bus … Continue reading Episode 35: School Transportation Safety →

In this episode of the Behind-the-Scene @NTSB podcast, NTSB Office of Highway Safety Director Rob Molloy, PhD, and Deputy Director Kris Poland, PhD, discuss their journeys to the NTSB and current work. Hear their views on the increase in speed-related crashes, current NTSB highway investigations, new safety recommendations related to vehicle automation, and much more. … Continue reading Episode 34: Highway Safety →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt talks about NTSB’s communications, leadership, and operations during this period especially as it relates to our mission. Chairman Sumwalt also discusses how the agency is maximizing the use of virtual platforms to support its day-to-day operations and shares important transportation safety reminders as the nation … Continue reading Episode 33: Chairman Robert Sumwalt →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Member Thomas Chapman talks about his journey to the NTSB, his work before joining the Board and what he hopes to accomplish as an NTSB Board member. Member Chapman’s full bio is available here. Get the latest episode on Apple Podcasts , on Google Play, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast platform. And find … Continue reading Episode 32: Member Thomas Chapman →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Member Michael Graham talks about his journey to the NTSB, his work before joining the Board and what he hopes to accomplish as an NTSB Board member. Member Graham’s full bio is available here.   Get the latest episode on Apple Podcasts , on Google Play, Stitcher, or your … Continue reading Episode 31: Member Michael Graham →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Member Jennifer Homendy shares highlights from her first year at NTSB and the transportation safety improvements she hopes are accomplished in 2020. Member Homendy was first featured on the podcast shortly after she began her tenure as the 44th Member of the NTSB in Episode 20.   Member Homendy’s … Continue reading Episode 30: Member Jennifer Homendy →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Highway Crash Investigators, Ensar Becic and Mike Fox, talk about the 2018 collision between a vehicle controlled by a developmental automated driving system and a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. We explore the findings and safety recommendations that came out of the investigation, as well as the strengths and limitations … Continue reading Episode 29: Tempe, Arizona, Uber Vehicle and Pedestrian Crash →

This week is National School Bus Safety Week. The theme this year is “My School Bus, The Safest Form of Student Transportation.” School Bus Safety Week is a public education program hosted by the National Association of Pupil Transportation, National School Transportation Association and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, designed … Continue reading Episode 28: School Bus Safety Week →

This week is Rail Safety Week. The theme this year, “Stop Track Tragedies,” provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the need for rail safety education and calls attention to ways to stay safe near highway-rail grade crossings and railroad rights-of-way. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Member Jennifer Homendy and Ruben … Continue reading Episode 27: Rail Safety Week →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Rachel Gunaratnam, a Hazardous Materials Accident Investigator in the NTSB Office or Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations and Frank Zakar, a Senior Metallurgist in the NTSB Office of Research and Engineering, about the natural gas-fueled explosion, on August 10, 2016, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Rachel … Continue reading Episode 26 – Silver Spring, Maryland, Apartment Building Explosion Investigation →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we have a conversation with Adam Gerhardt, an Air Safety Investigator in the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety. Adam shares with us how he got interested in aviation and the journey he took to get to the NTSB. Get the latest episode on Apple Podcasts , on Google Play, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast platform. To … Continue reading Episode 25 – Adam Gerhardt →

This week is Sleep Awareness Week. The theme this year, “Begin with Sleep,” highlights the importance of good sleep health for individuals to best achieve their personal, family, and professional goals. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Mary Pat McKay, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer; Jana Price, PhD, Senior Human Performance Investigator, … Continue reading Episode 24: Sleep Awareness Week →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we have a conversation with Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg. Vice Chairman Landsberg shares with us his passion for safety education and training, his past work to improve aviation safety and the path he has taken to become an NTSB Board Member.   Get the latest episode on Apple Podcasts , … Continue reading Episode 23 – Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Nicholas Worrell, Chief of Safety Advocacy and Chris O’Neil, Chief of Media Relations, in the NTSB Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications, about the NTSB Most Wanted List.     To learn more about the NTSB Most Wanted List visit: www.ntsb.gov/mostwanted   Get the latest episode … Continue reading Episode 22 – NTSB 2019-2020 Most Wanted List →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Kenny Bragg and Rafael Marshall, Senior Human Performance Investigators, in the NTSB Office of Highway, about the collision of a pickup truck and medium-size bus, on March 29, 2017, near Concan, Texas. Kenny and Rafael talk about the circumstances of the crash, the probable cause, and … Continue reading Episode 21 – Concan, Texas Investigation →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB, we have a conversation with Board Member Jennifer Homendy. Member Homendy shares with us her passion for transportation safety, her past work to improve rail, pipeline, and hazardous materials safety and the path she has taken to become an NTSB Board Member.   Get the latest episode on … Continue reading Episode 20 – Member Jennifer Homendy →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Chairman Robert Sumwalt about Thanksgiving holiday travel and ways to keep you and your loved ones safe whether traveling by air, land, or sea. To learn more about the NTSB investigation of the gas explosions and fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts, visit: https://ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/pld18mr003.aspx. Get the latest episode … Continue reading Episode 19 – Chairman Sumwalt →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we talk with Mike Hiller, Railroad Accident Investigator, Joe Gordon, Rail Safety Investigator, and Paul Stancil, Hazardous Materials Accident Investigator, in the NTSB Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations, about the derailment of a Union Pacific Railroad ethanol train, on March 10, 2017, near Graettinger, Iowa. To … Continue reading Episode 18 – Graettinger, Iowa Accident Investigation →

It’s been one year since we launched our Behind-the-Scene @NTSB podcast.  As we reflect on the last year and the 16 episodes we’ve shared with listeners so far, we decided to sit down and talk with our podcast host, Erik Strickland. In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, Erik Strickland, a transportation safety specialist in the … Continue reading Episode 17 – Erik Strickland →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we chat with Gloria Noguera the Administrative Officer in the NTSB Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations. Gloria shares with us her transportation journey from Colombia, South America, to an FAA control tower in New Jersey, and now at the NTSB. Get the latest episode on Apple Podcasts , on Google Play, Stitcher, or your … Continue reading Episode 16 – Gloria Noguera →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we chat with some of our summer interns—Keely, a junior at Virginia Tech; Lauren, a junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Tim, a senior at the University of Maryland & Alexander, a junior at the University of Michigan. They’ll share how they discovered opportunities at the NTSB and what they … Continue reading Episode 15 – NTSB Summer Interns →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we have a great chat with the Managing Director of the NTSB, Dennis Jones. Dennis has been with the Agency for a few years and has held different positions from intern to aviation field investigator to supervisor to chief and now the Managing Director. He shares with us his … Continue reading Episode 14- Dennis Jones →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we get to chat with Senior Human Performance Investigator, Dr. Jana Price.  March is Sleep Awareness Month and Dr. Price is an expert in the field of fatigue….so we were lucky to have the chance to chat with her. We all know what sleep is important, but it shouldn’t … Continue reading Episode 13- Jana Price →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we get to chat with Career Development Advisor Leslie McClam. She shares with us how she got started at the Agency and the creative programs she has been involved with to support staff development. We learn that every Agency needs a Leslie! She discusses how lifelong career development is … Continue reading Episode 12- Leslie McClam →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we have a chat with Rail Investigator Joey Rhine. Joey shares how he got interested in railroads and the journey he took to get to the NTSB. He also discusses a few of the investigations he’s been apart of, including the 2015 BNSF derailment in Heimdal, North Dakota. Get the … Continue reading Episode 11- Joey Rhine →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we have a chat with Safety Recommendation Specialist Mike Hamilton. Mike’s specialty is safety recommendations related to Rail, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials. He gives a glimpse of his passion and interest in the railroad and shares how he has traversed the United States over a dozen times by rail! … Continue reading Episode 10- Mike Hamilton →

In this episode of Behind-the-Scene @NTSB, we get to chat with Supervisory Highway Accident Investigator, Jennifer Morrison. She shares with us how she became interested in vehicles and the path she took from breaking down an engine to supervising a team of trained investigators. In the episode, Jennifer mentions a few crashes she’s investigated and … Continue reading Episode 9- Jennifer Morrison →