ATA/NTSB Agree on Contribution to Crash Recovery

Airlines will pay all "extraordinary" expenses for crash victim recovery, identification and emergency response under a new agreement between the Air Transport Association (ATA) and the NTSB. ATA member airlines also have agreed to transport victims' families to accident sites, and pay for DNA analysis of remains, if necessary. The NTSB says the arrangement will not affect its traditional jurisdiction over crash investigations, which will remain separated from family assistance activities. Regional Airline Association carriers did not participate in the talks that led to the arrangement, though some have adopted the policies of their parent airlines or code-share partners.

NBAA 1999, Atlanta, Ga.