By Office of Member J. Todd Inman
One of the primary functions of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is to advocate for safe transportation practices and for the safety recommendations issued by the Board. At the end of July, NTSB Board Member J. Todd Inman took his first advocacy trip as a Board member to Alaska. Although he had heard about the unique operating landscape that is Alaska, nothing can quite prepare you for gravel runway landings and helping unload 800 lbs of motor oil from the side of a Cessna Caravan.
Member Inman, Special Assistant Andrew Giacini, and Confidential Assistant Olivia Marcus visited the NTSB’s Alaska Region office in Anchorage, Alaska, which is the agency’s lead office for investigating aviation accidents in Alaska and Hawaii and contributes to the NTSB’s stakeholder outreach and advocacy efforts.
One thing was clear from the visit—the NTSB’s Alaska Region has exceptional people dedicated to improving aviation safety, with years of aerospace experience and a true desire to be a part of the Alaska and Hawaii communities. The dedicated work of Clint Johnson, Alaska Region Chief, and his team is deeply valued by both the NTSB and the local community, highlighting the need for strong relationships in this unique and expansive state.
On the first day of Member Inman’s arrival in Alaska, two of four investigators from Clint’s team, Stacia Joyce and Mark Ward, launched to Hawaii in response to a fatal helicopter accident off the coast of Kekaha that claimed three lives and required an underwater aircraft recovery effort. As Member Inman realized immediately after coming to the NTSB, the reality of the job is that you are always on call, and the NTSB’s professionals are dedicated to the mission.
Member Inman was grateful for the time he spent with the other two Alaska Region investigators, Millicent Hill and Mitchell Rasmussen, both of whom joined the NTSB with aviation backgrounds and sought out the opportunity to improve aviation safety in Alaska.
The visit to the regional office and the ensuing travel around the region were enlightening, offering a firsthand look at how vital aviation is to the remote and rural areas of Alaska and how Alaskan aviators work to maintain a safe system, even under the most challenging conditions.
Outreach Meetings
Alaska Air Carriers Association, Alaska Airmen’s Association, Congressional Staff, and the Federal Aviation Administration
During the 4 days of the team’s visit to Alaska, they, along with Clint and the Alaska office staff, had an opportunity to meet with Alaska’s aviation stakeholder communities, district staff from Alaska’s congressional offices, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Alaska Regional Deputy Administrator.
These conversations underscored the critical role aviation plays in connecting communities across the vast and rugged Alaskan landscape along with the challenges of safe flight in Alaska, and how the NTSB can support safety initiatives in the state. Member Inman wanted to learn about the successes and impediments to the ongoing FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative that was started when he served as chief of staff for the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and stemmed from an NTSB roundtable in September 2019 on Part 135 operations in Alaska and a recommendation the NTSB issued to the FAA in February 2020 to implement a safety-focused working group that would consider Alaska’s safety needs in the FAA’s work.
One of the highlights for the NTSB was unveiling the agency’s new US Civil Aviation Accident Dashboard to the Alaska Air Carrier Association and others. There was widespread agreement that the dashboard could be an extremely valuable tool to display a general overview of accidents while also providing a way to refine the data to analyze Alaska trends or those of specific categories of operators. Everyone was excited to hear about future enhancements that are coming through the NTSB’s Data Technology Modernization Fund.
Member Inman further discussed the agency’s focus on improving our collection, protection, and use of data, as was highlighted in the NTSB’s recent special investigation report, Safety and Industry Data Improvements for Part 135 Operations, and demonstrated by the recent hiring of a chief data officer, Warren Randolph.
A Unique Postal Route Experience
One of the most eye-opening experiences for the team was flying a postal route from Bethel, Alaska, to the villages of Kongiganak (Kong) and Kwigillingok (Kwig). Unlike the image that normally comes to mind of coupons sliding through the door and Amazon packages tucked behind a bush, this journey revealed the vital role that aviation plays in these isolated communities. Here, air carriers are not just delivering letters but essential supplies like medications, food, and motor oil. The stark reality of this reliance on air transport underscored its role in sustaining daily life in the Alaskan Yukon. It also brought to light the significant challenges that come with building and sustaining aviation infrastructure, dealing with dynamic weather conditions, and maintaining situational awareness in the cockpit.
Alaska State Troopers
The NTSB relies on the contributions of many partners and parties, and nowhere is this more evident than in Alaska. Alaska State Troopers maintain and operate a fleet of over 50 aircraft in support of their first responder, search-and-rescue, and other functions. Their mission often includes supporting the NTSB’s investigations. It’s because of partners like these that the NTSB can study accidents, identify causes, and improve safety throughout the transportation system.
In discussing their own operations, the troopers echoed the comments of other stakeholders on the difficulties that come with aviating in such a unique landscape. Member Inman and his staff valued seeing the troopers’ operations and hearing about their regular missions, thanking them for their continued support of the NTSB.
Anchorage International Airport and UPS Operations Member Inman’s team also visited Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), where they observed the airport’s operations and learned about their safety, emergency response, and expansion plans. This visit highlighted how even larger aircraft and infrastructure operators need to mitigate the elevated safety risks in Alaska. Member Inman enjoyed learning more about what it takes for ANC to never close due to snow, as seen in the show “Ice Airport Alaska” (which was just signed for another season— so tune in!).
Additionally, UPS showcased its cargo operations at ANC—a base for over 700 UPS pilots—and gave the entire NTSB team the opportunity to experience a “flight” on one of its full-flight 747 simulators that mimics a typical cargo route for their pilots. UPS has two full-motion simulators in Anchorage that are actively used for training 7 days a week. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into the logistics and challenges of delivering and transferring goods in a region characterized by its harsh weather conditions and serving both international and domestic shippers.
There is More Work to Be Done—Addressing Weather-Related Challenges
A recurring theme throughout the visit was the significant impact of weather on aviation safety in Alaska, particularly the challenges Alaskan aviators face accessing and using reliable weather data in flight planning and while en route. The need for improved usable weather data, advanced equipment, and robust infrastructure and maintenance was evident in every discussion. Improving weather forecasting and related support systems is crucial for making flying safer and more consistent, especially in Alaska’s most remote and hard-to-reach areas.
The time Member Inman and his team spent with the NTSB’s Alaska regional office and so many aviation professionals illustrated Alaskans’ resilience. Member Inman was reassured to see individuals and organizations working tirelessly to keep the state connected and functioning safely. The entire team left with a stronger understanding of the hazards that present themselves to all aviators and a commitment to supporting efforts that improve safety and provide for a way of life in Alaska.
Thank you to everyone who made this first advocacy trip a success and to those working every day in Alaska to continually improve aviation safety. Your efforts are making a difference in the lives of many.
Cessna Caravan they took on the postal route to Kwig and Kong.
