ICAO, FAA, NTSB ICAO UN specialization agency Global forum for international civil

aviation Enhance global aviation security, safety and efficiency Minimize adverse effects on
the environment caused by global aviation Maintain continuity of aviation operations
Strengthen law that governs the international civil aviation
PROS: World-wide harmonization, contributes to safe and efficient operations.
CONS: Rule-making process very long, things can change between the 2-5 years; too many
countries to audit as part of the oversight audit program; insufficient qualified personnel, lack
of resources

FAA Regulatory authority of the US Focus on US NAS, N-registered aircraft Several

activities: -issuance and enforce of regulations; -issuance of licenses (rating & certification);
-handles appeals of revocation of license; -Management of NAS and air traffic; -Promotion of
civil aviation abroad; -encouraging R&D-Improving Air nav services PROS: readily accepting
of feedbacks, convenience in communication, standardization of processes throughout the
US CONS: Focuses on fault-finding instead of coming up recommendations proactively.

NTSB Independent agency Investigating body – to find out probable cause of an accident
Conducting precise investigation and safety audits Advocate and promote safety
recommendations Assist victims of transportation disaster accidents (TDA) ***CANNOT
REGULATE, FUND OR BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN ANY FORM OF TRANSPORT
OPERATIONS Most of the recommendations are mainly directed to global. The NTSB only
investigate civil aircraft or public aircraft, no military aircraft Investigate certain accidents
Those are able to learn from Minor ones not investigated Conducts investigations and
determines the probable cause Come up with safety recommendations to improve
transportation safety Designates other organizations whose employees, functions or
products were involved in the accident as parties to the investigation Leverage its limited
resources and personnel – facilitate rapid and complete gathering of all information

Party Members/Process Sent out invitations to different groups of people that can contribute
positivity or technically to the outcome of an investigation State of occurrence, aircraft
carrier, aircraft manufacturer, and engine manufacturer Each investigator is a specialist and
has a different role to play FAA is self-invited by law – mandatory Being invited to be a party
member is a privilege Information gathered in the different groups will be submitted to the IIC
for further investigation Go Team Go-team consist of 5 personnel, each having different
expertise They are on standby 24hr; if activated they are needed to be on site within 2 hours
Information gathered in the different groups will be submitted to the IIC for further
investigation IIC’s approval, only then information can be passed on IIC is responsible
compiling all findings into a “Final Report”
2. Explain and define how “modeling” and/or applying the HFACs matrix can improve
aviation safety in a proactive manner.

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a broad human error
framework that was developed to further define the “active” and “latent” failures in a
productive system for use in accident investigation and analysis. Its roots are heavily based
on James Reason’s “Swiss Cheese” model for accident causation. The HFACS framework
includes four levels based on Reason’s model, but in greater detail: unsafe acts,
preconditions for unsafe acts, unsafe supervision, and organizational influence. The
approach of HFACS is to take a system-based view wherein the human is not the sole
contributor to an accident, or in different terms, the error is a result of a larger failure in the
organization. The systemic approach is the key to using HFACS to analyze an accident and
find links in the error chain that, if removed, can prevent future accidents. The ultimate goal
of an organization is to prevent the accident at the earliest possible level, setting barriers at
each (organizational, supervisory, and preconditions) level before reaching the unsafe
act.Using HFACS to classify human error typically begins with level 1, the unsafe act. It then
can be used to work backwards up the chain - identify preconditions, unsafe supervision,
and organizational influences.

Headquarters and Field Offices exist for several services including accident investigation
and prevention, air traffic oversight, flight standards (certificate management and civil
aviation registry), and aircraft maintenance.NTSB is short for National Transportation Safety
Board. NTSB traces back to the Air Commerce Act of 1926, however, NTSB was not created
until the 1967 as the federal government's primary accident investigation agency for all
modes of transportation including aviation, highway, railway, marine, and pipeline. The NTSB
is an independent United States government investigative agency responsible for civil
transportation accident investigation. The main responsibility of the NTSB is to investigate
and report on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway accidents, ships and
marine accidents, pipeline incidents, and railroad accidents. The NTSB is not subordinate to
any government agency, and it does not possess regulatory or rulemaking powers. Rather,
theNTSB works with governmental agencies (FAA, DoD) and civil organizations through the
party process to conduct accident investigation. The primary goal is to determine probable
cause(s) and provide safety recommendations to FAA and civil aviation organizations.
1. Explain and contrast the duties and responsibilities between ICAO, FAA and the NTSB.
List some specific examples.ICAO is the acronym for International Civil Aviation
Organization, and it is a specialized agency that serves as the global forum for international
civil aviation. It was established by the Chicago Conference of 1944 with the vision
(according to its website) of achieving “safe, secure, and sustainable development of civil
aviation through cooperation amongst member states.”
The main responsibility of ICAO is to codify the principles and techniques of international air
navigation and to foster the planning and development of international air transport to ensure
safe and orderly growth. The ICAO is also responsible for adopting standards and
recommended practices (SARPs) concerning air navigation, its infrastructure, flight
inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures
for international civil aviation.
Additionally, the ICAO also develops Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) and
regional supplementary procedures (SUPPS). PANS are comprised of operating practices
and material too detailed for SARPs and often amplifies the basic principles corresponding
to SARPs. SUPPS are materials similar in scope to PANS but do not apply worldwide, they
are tailored to regional operations. The ICAO does not have regulatory powers in the US (or
other countries), that power is reserved by each States civil aviation authority - FAA in the
U.S. However, member States are included in the ICAO rulemaking process and can
indicate either approval or disapproval of proposed SARPs. If the majority of States do not
register disapproval an amendment becomes effective.
Member States must notify the ICAO (Secretariat) of any difference in national regulations
versus the amended standard.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the national
aviation authority of the United States. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 created the Federal
Aviation Agency, which later renamed its organization to Federal Aviation Administration in
1966 when it became a part of the United States Department of Transportation. The FAA has
authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation within the United States. Some
of the examples of the major functions of the FAA include the following: regulate United
States commercial space transportation, regulate air navigation facilities' geometry and flight
inspection standards, encourage and develop civil aeronautics, issue or suspend pilot
certificates, regulate civil aviation to promote safety, and develop and operate a system ofair
traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft. Aviation safety is an area of
primary responsibility for the FAA.