NTSB Pushes Data Sharing to Boost Aviation Safety
NTSB acting director Warren Randolph urged government-industry collaboration and data use as the agency investigates a Learjet 60 accident.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Business Travel
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Warren Randolph, acting director of the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety and chief data officer, stressed collaboration between government and industry to improve aviation safety. He spoke at the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association 2026 Safety Day as the NTSB investigates a Learjet 60 accident that occurred Sunday.
Why it matters
The NTSB pursues information protections so organizations can share safety data without fear of enforcement action, which is central to improving safety across general aviation. The agency's use of closed AI models is meant to keep sensitive information out of the public domain.
The NTSB uses closed AI models to keep sensitive information out of the public domain, and its Carol program offers a dashboard for filtering safety data by fleet or landing facility. The agency is working cautiously on the accident impact site because of contamination there.
The players
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
The NTSB is the independent U.S. federal agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents and issuing safety recommendations.
Warren Randolph
Warren Randolph is the acting director of the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety and the agency's chief data officer.
Tom Chapman
Tom Chapman is an NTSB board member who is on site for the Learjet 60 accident investigation.
The details
Randolph described a fireside chat with GWBAA vice president Vincent Mickens at the Safety Day event. He said the NTSB is working with the FAA, air traffic control, and meteorologists on the Learjet 60 investigation, with board member Tom Chapman on site.
Timeline
Sunday: Learjet 60 accident occurred.
November 4, 2026: Randolph spoke at GWBAA 2026 Safety Day.
Next year: NTSB approaches its 60th anniversary.
Travel Outlook
The NTSB's Carol program, which filters safety data by fleet and landing facility, shows the agency's push to make aviation records usable for operators planning routes. The agency's approach of sharing data under information protections ties into its effort to lower the general aviation accident rate.
Business travelers flying general aviation aircraft can check NTSB safety data filtered by fleet or landing facility before booking. Operators may also see the agency's data-sharing approach shape how safety information is reported and used.
The takeaway
Safety data shared between government and industry can help prevent accidents across general aviation. Travelers who fly privately can look to agency dashboards to understand patterns in their routes and aircraft types.
Further reading
For more on how business flyers plan around safety data, see Business Travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aviation International News.
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