Skip to main content

NTSB Access-to-Aircraft Privileges

OSI-95-12R Published: Dec 29, 1994. Publicly Released: Dec 29, 1994.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether eligible Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) employees abuse their authority to use access-to-aircraft privileges aboard commercial aircraft. GAO noted that: (1) a number of NTSB employees abused their authority to use access-to-aircraft privileges between July 1992 and December 1993; (2) FAA and NTSB employees used "must fly" status instead of "space available" status for nonpriority travel; (3) NTSB employees must indicate their travel status on access-to-aircraft coupons in order to qualify for these privileges; (4) NTSB management does not oversee the appropriateness of employees' travel status in their coupon booklets; and (5) NTSB is not required to retain used access-to-aircraft coupon booklets to identify employees' "must fly" or "space available" status.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Transportation Safety Board To help deter future abuses, the Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, should reinforce to all NTSB employees the provisions of NTSB Order 52-A regarding the use of access-to-aircraft privileges.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Transportation Safety Board To help deter future abuses, the Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, should examine ways to improve internal controls over NTSB use of access-to-aircraft privileges through retention and periodic review of the coupon booklets provided to NTSB employees.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Air transportationAir travel allowancesAirline regulationCommercial aviationEthical conductFare discountsFederal employeesFringe benefitsEmployee trainingTransportation workers