Aviation

The IIC/hearing officer is responsible for overseeing all preparations for the hearing,
both administrative and technical. Often, many of the administrative details, such as hearing site
selection, material preparation, supply, equipment and material acquisition, and transportation can be
assigned to a hearing assistant. The hearing officer or the IIC (if the functions have been divided)
must address technical details.
4.7.1.1 Administrative
Administrative items include selecting the hearing date and location, acquiring
necessary supplies and equipment, fulfilling Safety Board documentary requirements, assembling
the exhibits from the factual reports and addenda, reproducing exhibits, distributing materials to
parties and organizations, and arranging for court reporter services (see Appendix L).
The hearing officer will select the date for the hearing with the concurrence of the
Chairman of the Board of Inquiry by considering workload requirements of the hearing participants,
the Board meeting schedule, and the schedule of the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry (i.e., the
presiding Board Member). These things considered, hearings are typically held 4 to 8 months after
the date of the accident, but they may be held at any time during the investigation. Once the hearing
date has been established, the hearing officer and the group chairmen must strictly adhere to an
agreed upon schedule to ensure that exhibits will be made available to the parties in time to allow
their preparation for the hearing.
The hearing will typically be conducted in the Conference Center at the Safety
Board’s headquarters. This room can be reserved by submitting a request form that is available on
the Board’s intranet site under “Projects.” Audio/visual equipment and services can also be
requested using this form.
If it is determined that this facility cannot accommodate the needs of the hearing,
another site will need to be selected. If this is the case, the hearing will usually be held in a large
hotel meeting room that should accommodate the hearing participants, media personnel and
equipment, and public seating. The size of the room needed will vary according to the public
interest in the accident. The room should have a raised platform with a table to accommodate about
8 people, table(s) for NTSB technical panel members, tables to accommodate around 10 people for
each of the parties to the hearing, a table for the witnesses to give testimony, and a small table for the
court reporter (see Appendix L).
The requirements for public address and electronic support systems must be provided
to the hotel. PA can provide information to the hotel on audio and video electronics needs. The
hearing officer should follow up as necessary with the hotel to ensure that the microphones and
electronic support equipment will be in place and operational for the hearing. It may be necessary to
indicate where microphones will be needed and how the hearing will be conducted to ensure the
proper preparation.
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