The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "NTSB- National Transportation Safety Board" ...
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Investigation of fatal pipeline blast
Before the National Transportation Safety Board issued its findings into the 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people, the San Francisco Chronicle had already exposed negligent management by pipeline operator Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and lax regulation by the state and federal governments that contributed to a disaster.
Tags: NTSB; National Transportation Safety Board; Pacific Gas and Electric Co.; pipeline
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Breakdown: Traveling Dangerously in America
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued more than 13,000 recommendations in the past 43 years to make travel safer. The recommendations have largely gone ignored by federal and state agencies while people have continued to die.
Tags: travel; cars; NTSB; National Transportation Safety Board
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Pilot shortage siphons experienced instructors from flight schools
This story analyzes the fact American air carriers that operate internationally are taking away experienced pilots from both flight schools' instructor positions and regional airlines. The consequence of this trend is new pilots have to learn from unexperienced teachers. McCartney says this raises "questions about the quality of America's future pilots." The story adds the FAA was "looking into the matter." The fact big international airlines lure experienced pilots draws regional and small to hire people who sometimes can't meet the traditional requirements, such as having 20/20 vision without glasses. So these companies lower those requirements. Despite the concern raised, McCartney says "there isn't any evidence that possible lack of experience has posed any safety problems at either major or regional airlines.
Tags: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Council on Aviation Accreditation; United Airlines; AirNet Systems Inc.; Embry-Riddle University; Northwest Airlines; Palm Springs International Airport; Airbus Industrie
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Pipelines: The invisible danger
In a four-part investigative series American-Statesmen examines "the operation and regulation of some of the most profitable companies in America, those that operate pipelines carrying oil, gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas and other hazardous materials." The reporting team reveals the dangerous - and at times deadly - condition of the pipelines the American industry uses to transport crude oil and natural gas. The stories point to statistics showing that from 1984 through 2000 a total of 366 people have died in the USA as a result of pipeline leaks and explosions. Inspections have showed that one inactive pipeline, which passes through the populated area of Austin, has had "4,000 anomalies" caused by weak steel skin. Texas is notorious for the highest death toll, since it is the state with the most miles of pipelines. The follow-up editorials focus on the need for reforms, and suggest new federal and state regulation that would improve pipeline safety.
Tags: environment; pollution; natural resources; gas explosions; OPS- Office of Pipeline Safety; NTSB- National Transportation Safety Board; Association of Oil Pipe Lines; EPA- Environmental Protection Agency; "railroad fatigue"; federal records; corrosion; safety violations; fines; maintenance; CAR
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Explosive Issue: Gas-Pipeline Tragedies Have Energy Industry, Regulators Under Fire
"The U.S. agency that inspects pipelines, federal officials say, lacks trained manpower, reliable data on accidents and the will to crack down on unsafe practices before deadly blasts occur. The pipeline industry has resisted calls from the National Transportation Safety Board and others for mandatory periodic inspections of pipelines and national employee-training standards. Meanwhile, the nation's pipelines continue to age, many of them now more than 50 years old and too narrow to accommodate the probes sent through pipes to inspect them internally for defects."
Tags: NTSB; natural gas; explosions; sonar; corrosion; Malaga; OPS; Office of Pipeline Safety; self-regulating; retrofit; oil; increased civil penalties; accident-reporting regulations; "high consequence areas"; operating pressure
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What's Wrong with the FAA
U.S. News & World Report reports that "When passengers board an airplane, they expect the highest level of safety. In the United States, it is the Federal Aviation Administration's job to make sure they get it.... In a total of five crashes last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that the FAA had fallen short, either failing to enforce its own rules or siding with airlines to oppose what many pilots and passengers considered sensible reform. Commercial air travel in the United States today is safer than in most places. But a three-month U.S. News examination of the FAA's enforcement record reveals significant lapses..."
Tags: airplane crashes disasters deaths aviation regulation policy federal government agency
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How Safe are Small Planes?
U.S. News & World Report reports "Not safe enough, say critics. The numbers bear them out, and passengers often don't know in advance what they're flying...standards for planes with 30 seats or fewer often are lower than for larger aircraft...the queasy feeling that this some people flying turboprops and older piston-engine propeller aircraft isn't entirely unwarranted. Over the past five years regional airlines like American Eagle... have averaged 5.1 accidents per million departures (compared to commuter airlines at 6.6 and big carriers at 2.9)"
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Anatomy of an air crash: The final flight of 50 Sierra Kilo
Dallas Morning News reporter gets access to National Transportation and Safety Board and follows its investigative process as officials worked to determine the cause of the crash of a private jet that went down in a 1986 thunderstorm, Feb. 7, 1988.
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No title (id: 1071)
Milwaukee Journal investigates the Federal Aviation Administration and finds it had ignored safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board to improve air safety, helping to set the stage for loss of life in subsequent disasters, Dec. 15 - 22, 1985.
Tags: WI FAA NTSB