The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent U.S. government investigative agency, headquartered in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1967, its primary mission is to determine the probable cause of civil transportation accidents and formulate safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences. The NTSB investigates incidents across aviation, highway, marine, pipeline, and railroad sectors, including hazardous materials releases. Renowned for its unbiased investigations, the agency issues crucial safety recommendations and conducts studies, significantly contributing to global transportation safety improvements.