Aviation

states that the Safety Board would be the lead investigative agency for any commercial space launch
accidents that result in 1) certain levels of damage or loss of life or 2) the impact of expendable
launch vehicle debris outside the impact limit lines of a launch range facility. The Board would then
produce a report on the investigation and include findings, recommendations, and, if required, a
probable cause.
Previous Safety Board participation in commercial space launch accident
investigations has centered more on the "human" elements involved than possible technical reasons
for the accident or incident. Nevertheless, the Board will commit all necessary resources to
investigate such an accident and use the same investigative and organizational approach, i.e., party
participation and working groups.
5.4 Underwater Recovery of Wreckage
Locating and recovering aircraft wreckage in the water will require a wellcoordinated
plan. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, locating the wreckage might
require that the Safety Board obtain such things as witness statements, weather data, and radar
tracking data for the accident aircraft. Trajectory analyses may also be necessary to aid in locating
the wreckage.
To assist in quickly and effectively locating and recovering aircraft wreckage in the
water, the Safety Board has an MOA with the DoD. The DoD tasks the Navy Office of the
Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV) with providing assistance in the search and recovery of aircraft
in the water. The MOA contains the names and contacts for the SUPSALV personnel.
AS management should immediately contact DoD/SUPSALV personnel to initiate
search and recovery planning. They will provide considerable assistance free of charge. For
example, they will conduct an initial feasibility and practicality assessment for a potential search and
recovery mission. Once they receive the probable coordinates of the accident, they can provide
water depth and current information, as well as bottom conditions. They will advise of the best
contractors with which to work, and they will provide cost estimates for the mission. The Safety
Board should avoid direct contracting with the various companies that perform such work.
SUPSALV functions as the Board’s contract office, which negotiates the best equipment for the best
cost to perform the job.
SUPSALV will not initiate a contract without funding. Once the plan is approved
and a contract is agreed upon, a letter from the Chairman to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
activates the MOA. Once the CNO approves, funds must be transferred so that work can begin.
SUPSALV personnel will oversee the operation; appropriate Safety Board and party specialists will
also participate.
For aircraft accidents in which a CVR and/or FDR is installed, the recorders will
probably have an ultrasonic underwater locator beacon (ULB) installed. The ULB automatically
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