NATCA Air Safety Investigation Committee

Air Safety Investigation Committee Charter (2/07)

The NATCA Air Safety Investigation Committee (ASIC) shall be an ad hoc committee responsible to the National Executive Board through the Director of Safety and Technology. Its purpose is to be the focal point for the Union regarding all policy and procedural matters related to NATCA participation in National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) aircraft accident investigations.

The NATCA ASIC shall consist of a Chair, two certified professional  en route air traffic controllers, two certified professional terminal air traffic controllers, and one member from Region X.   A member of the committee who changes options during his/her term may complete the term.

All NATCA ASIC members shall be current NATCA members in good standing. Candidate ASIC members shall be nominated by their Regional Vice-President and approved by a simple majority vote by  the National Executive Board (NEB). NATCA ASIC members will serve two-year terms.   All terms of office will begin January 1st.  One terminal ASI and one center ASI will be elected annually for continuity.  In the event that an ASIC member is unable to complete a term, a replacement will be selected (as outlined above), to complete   that member’s term. 

The NATCA ASIC Chairman shall be a current NATCA member in good standing.  The Chairman will be elected by a simple majority vote by the ASI Committee members.  NATCA ASI Chairman will serve two-year terms.  The Chairman’s term will begin January 1st.  In the event that the chairman is unable to complete a term, a replacement will be selected (as outlined above), to complete that Chairman’s term. 

All NATCA ASIC members shall be trained as Union air safety investigators, and must either participate in an on-site NTSB investigation or attend an accredited formal aircraft accident investigation training course within one year of appointment. Upon leaving the ASIC, they may continue to serve as Union air safety investigators as needed.

The NATCA ASIC shall meet at least twice a year, or as deemed necessary by the President.

The Director of Safety and Technology and/or the National Safety Coordinator shall serve as ex officio members of the NATCA ASIC only if they possess investigation experience or training as specified above.

All NATCA Party Submissions, presented to the NTSB as the Union’s official position and proposed findings shall be submitted to NATCA General Counsel, NATCA Safety and Technology, and the NEB for their opportunity to review and submit comments.

The NATCA Air Safety Investigation Committee shall, through the Department of Safety and Technology, (a) coordinate the activities of, and provide support and training to NATCA air safety investigators; (b) facilitate interdiction between NATCA air safety investigators through Internet based information sharing, regional or national meetings, conference calls, and other means as appropriate; (c) prepare an annual report on NATCA air safety investigator participation in NTSB investigations for the National Executive Board.