Which regulatory bodies guide mishap investigations in the United States and internationally?

• A. The FAA leads investigations in the United States and ICAO has no role internationally.
• B. In the U.S., agencies like the NTSB lead investigations; internationally, organizations follow ICAO standards and related national authorities; AMIC 26-F covers best practices.
• C. Only NTSB leads investigations, and there are no international standards.
• D. EASA and FAA jointly manage all mishap investigations.

Answer: (B)

National and international frameworks guide how mishap investigations are conducted. In the United States, the investigation is led by the National Transportation Safety Board, which takes the lead on civil aviation accident investigations and determines the probable cause, with other agencies participating as needed. Internationally, the aviation community follows standards and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization, with each state conducting investigations through its own authorities under those ICAO guidelines. The AMIC 26-F material covers these best practices, aligning national leadership with international standards. This combination explains why the stated answer best fits how mishap investigations are guided. The other options misstate ICAO’s role, international standards, or the distribution of investigative responsibility among agencies.