The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency that investigates major transportation accidents and operates the Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) program for families of victims. TDA serves as the federal point of contact for families after qualifying aviation, rail, highway, marine, pipeline, and hazardous materials accidents, coordinating with carriers, medical examiners, and federal, state, tribal, and local agencies. Family assistance is mandated by the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 (49 U.S.C. 1136) and the Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2008 (49 U.S.C. 1139).

Death notification

NTSB does not require family members to report a death. NTSB is notified of qualifying transportation accidents by carriers, operators, and other federal agencies through its 24/7 Response Operations Center (1-844-373-9922). Once NTSB launches an investigation, the Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) Division assigns a TDA specialist to serve as the primary federal point of contact for victim families. Families who have not yet been contacted by TDA after a transportation accident — or who need investigative updates — can reach the TDA Division directly at 1-800-683-9369 or assistance@ntsb.gov.

Deadline: No deadline for family contact. NTSB launches investigations as soon as practicable after being notified by carriers under 49 U.S.C. 1136 and 1139.

Survivor benefits

The NTSB offers 5 benefits for surviving family members.

Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) Specialist

After a qualifying transportation accident, NTSB assigns a TDA specialist to serve as the primary federal point of contact for victim families. The specialist provides investigative updates, coordinates with the carrier and other agencies, helps families navigate the investigative process, and remains available throughout the NTSB investigation. Authorized by 49 U.S.C. 1136 (aviation) and 49 U.S.C. 1139 (rail passenger).

Family Briefings Before Public Announcements

Under 49 U.S.C. 1136(e) and 49 U.S.C. 1139(e), NTSB must ensure that families of victims are briefed, prior to any public briefing, about the accident, its causes, and any other findings from the investigation. Families also receive individual notice of and access to NTSB proceedings related to the accident.

Independent Family Support Organization

NTSB designates an independent nonprofit organization with disaster-response experience to deliver emotional, psychological, and family support services. The designated organization meets with passengers and families at the accident site, contacts families who cannot travel, creates private grieving spaces, and helps facilitate a suitable memorial service in consultation with the families. Required by 49 U.S.C. 1136(a)(2) and 49 U.S.C. 1139(a)(2).

Personal Effects Recovery Coordination

NTSB and the designated family assistance organization coordinate with the carrier and local authorities to recover, catalog, and return personal effects of victims to their families. Specific procedures vary by accident and are coordinated by the TDA specialist.

Protection from Unsolicited Settlement Communications

Under 49 U.S.C. 1136(g)(2) and 49 U.S.C. 1139(g)(2), no unsolicited communication concerning a potential action for personal injury or wrongful death may be made by an attorney or potential litigation party to an individual injured in an accident, or to a relative of a victim, before the 45th day following the date of the accident.

When someone dies

Notifying the NTSB after a death

6-step process, 4 required documents, and 5 survivor benefits.

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Frequently asked questions

TDA is the NTSB division that serves as the federal point of contact for families of victims killed or injured in major transportation accidents. TDA specialists provide investigative updates, coordinate with carriers and local authorities, help families navigate the investigative process, and connect families with emotional and psychological support through a designated independent family assistance organization. TDA covers aviation, rail, highway, marine, pipeline, and hazardous materials accidents.

Call the Transportation Disaster Assistance Division at 1-800-683-9369 or (202) 314-6185, or email assistance@ntsb.gov. Include the accident date, location, carrier, victim's name, and your relationship to the victim. For accidents not yet reported to NTSB, call the 24/7 Response Operations Center at 1-844-373-9922 — though carriers and operators are usually the parties required to make that report.

NTSB investigates major accidents in aviation, rail, highway, marine, pipeline, and hazardous materials transportation. Not every accident is investigated — NTSB launches based on severity, complexity, and safety significance. The TDA program activates for accidents NTSB investigates, with full statutory family-assistance requirements applying to aviation (49 U.S.C. 1136) and passenger rail (49 U.S.C. 1139).

Yes. Under 49 U.S.C. 1136(e) and 1139(e), NTSB must brief families of victims about the accident, its causes, and any other findings, prior to any public briefing. Families also receive individual notice of and access to NTSB proceedings on the accident. Your assigned TDA specialist coordinates these briefings and answers questions throughout the investigation, which typically takes 12 to 24 months.

NTSB and the designated family assistance organization coordinate with the carrier and local authorities to recover, catalog, and return personal effects to families. Procedures vary by accident. Your TDA specialist handles the coordination — contact TDA at 1-800-683-9369 or assistance@ntsb.gov if you have questions about personal effects.

No. Victim identification is the responsibility of the local medical examiner or coroner with jurisdiction over the accident site. NTSB does not perform identification, but your TDA specialist helps families navigate the identification process and coordinates with the medical examiner's office.

NTSB investigations typically take 12 to 24 months from launch to final report, though complex investigations can take longer. Your TDA specialist remains available throughout the investigation to provide updates, answer questions, and coordinate any additional needs. You can request investigative updates at any time using the NTSB TDA Investigative Update Request Form or by contacting your specialist directly.