What is the primary purpose of an NTSB accident report?

The primary purpose of an NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) accident report is to investigate the causes of the accident. The NTSB conducts thorough investigations to uncover factors that contributed to aviation accidents, with the ultimate aim of improving safety and preventing future incidents. This investigation focuses on a comprehensive analysis of the accident scene, examination of the aircraft, pilot factors, environmental conditions, and other relevant data.

By identifying the root causes, the NTSB can make recommendations to enhance aviation safety practices, policies, and regulations. These findings are not intended for legal or financial accountability but rather serve as a crucial resource for the aviation community to learn from past incidents.

In contrast, determining financial liabilities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and documenting flight plans are not the primary goals of an NTSB accident report. While these aspects may be involved in the broader context of aviation safety, they do not reflect the NTSB's core mission of enhancing safety through careful investigation and analysis of aviation accidents.