How does someone get an assignment as an aviation accident investigator?

2017-08-30T13:09:20-04:00

This is something I've been thinking about lately and I think it would be an interesting assignment. How does one go about getting it? Is it available to enlisted or is it Officer/WO only? Can a Guardsman get an assignment? What schools/classes would I need to go to in order to be qualified?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2017 1:12 PM

2017-08-30T13:12:49-04:00

Something to definitely talk to your Unit's safety officer about. At your level, especially for the Guard, I d recommend talking to the SAO. I think they are the ones who are responsible for handing those orders/assignments out.
You being a Guardsman, I wonder if the NTSB would want to hire you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2017 1:16 PM

2017-08-30T13:16:50-04:00

Last I checked, its officers usually and they get basically called up to investigate. Any info you need will be through Rucker for sure

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 30 at 2017 5:49 PM

2017-08-30T17:49:10-04:00

I don't think there's an actual assignment for it. Typically they select people from the units in the nearby areas. Because I've seen officers selected to investigate incidents at another unit who had no idea what it was they should be looking for and I explained what to look for and the questions to ask.

I'm not sure if it has something to do with the billet they currently hold, but if anything, I would consider talking to your unit's safety officer. They might have a better answer.

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Aug 30 at 2017 8:26 PM

2017-08-30T20:26:38-04:00

The Army used to have what was called the "Aircraft Shoot-Down Assessment Team" or ASDAT. These were experts within the community, CW4 and CW5 types. A few years ago, they changed the acronym ASDAT to stand for Aviation Survivability Development and Tactics since "shoot down" sounded narrow and weather and pilot error kill more aircrews than the enemy.

Most Aviation accidents rely heavy on Aviation Safety Officers (ASOs) and will involve Maintenance and Tactical Operations/Aviation Mission Survivability Officers (TACOPs/AMSOs). Long story short, it all starts with Initial Entry Rotary Wing training at Fort Rucker and after several years of experience, a specialty track, and foothold in the community, you could serve as an investigator.

This is the recommended Army track. There are civilian avenues but are typically coupled with education. The actual National Transportation Safety Board is a capstone position. It isn't something you find yourself on overnight. But it is an achievable goal for the rightly motivated candidate! Best of luck!

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Aug 30 at 2017 10:28 PM

2017-08-30T22:28:08-04:00

Call the Safety Center at Rucker. The Safety Center, like the NTSB, has a GO Team for High profile accidents. I was fortunate enough to go through the Aviation Safety Officer Course in '88. By that time, I had already served on several Aircraft accident investigation boards. AH-1 at 2/9 Cav, UH-60 from the 160th, an OH-58 x 2 mid-air collision at the NTC, and a UH-1 Medevac CFIT accident at the NTC. All of this aided me as well as being an Instructor Pilot for my second career as an Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier and General Aviation) with the FAA. There I investigated several dozen fatal and non-fatal aircraft accidents. These were separate but usually investigated in conjunction with the NTSB.