Aviation

3.13 Materials Laboratory Examinations
In the event that a material failure is suspected or that detailed examinations of a part
are desired, group chairmen should enlist the assistance of the NTSB Materials Laboratory. Even if
an outside laboratory or manufacturer's facility is used for an examination, the Materials Laboratory
should be consulted. Appendix J contains recommended procedures to submit parts, as well as
certain steps to preserve their condition.
3.14 Closing the Command Post
The IIC will read and approve all field notes. Group Chairmen and their groups are
not to be released from the site until after the IIC approves their field notes. After the field notes are
completed, approved, and distributed, the IIC is responsible for closing the Command Post.
Arrangements should be made to return rented supplies and equipment and to settle vendor accounts.
The IIC should expect to pay or arrange to pay for such things as telephones, photocopy machines,
computers and accessories, meeting room, and supplies. Bills should reflect that all charges have
been levied at the prearranged rate and only for the services that had been received and agreed to
beforehand. The IIC should settle accounts for $2,500 or less with a purchase card before leaving
the site and retain copies of all bills and payment receipts for processing upon return to the office.
The IIC should use form SF44 for purchases and accounts that are more than $2,500.
4. Post-On-Scene Activities
Following the on-scene phase of an investigation, the IIC will schedule a debrief
meeting after the go-team’s return to headquarters to discuss a tentative schedule of activities based
on guidance provided in Board Order 300. These items include meetings to discuss the progress of
the investigation, due dates of the group chairmen factual and analysis reports, preparation of the
final report, and the possibility of a public hearing.
4.1 Administrative Tasks Upon Return to Headquarters
Once the IIC returns to headquarters, he or she will check to make sure the
investigation was entered into the Safety Board’s workload management database, NTSBWork, and
make sure that the relevant Division Chiefs do the same. The Board’s Accident Data Management
System (ADMS) and NTSBKeys should also be updated. The IIC should write and distribute a
status/progress report and update the Board Member on scene in person about the latest investigation
activities, as necessary. A basic summary opening paragraph should be composed for use in factual
reports and distributed to group chairman to facilitate consistency in the basic facts recited in all
26