FAA Ground School Practice Test

May aircraft wreckage be moved before the NTSB takes custody?

1. No, it must remain untouched

2. Yes, but only to protect the wreckage from further damage

3. Yes, if it poses a hazard to others

4. No, unless authorized by law enforcement

The correct answer is: Yes, but only to protect the wreckage from further damage

In the context of aircraft wreckage, the proper protocol involves careful consideration to preserve evidence while also addressing safety. When the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is involved in an accident investigation, wreckage must typically remain unaltered to ensure that all evidence can be examined in its original state. However, if there is a need to protect the wreckage from further damage, such as from environmental factors or secondary hazards, it is permissible to move the wreckage under specific considerations. This approach balances the need to preserve critical evidence with the practical reality of ensuring safety for individuals and the surrounding environment. For instance, if wreckage is left in a location where it could be further damaged by weather or could pose a risk to public safety, taking reasonable action to mitigate those risks is justified. The act of moving the wreckage must still be carried out with the awareness that these actions should not compromise the integrity of the evidence for the ongoing investigation. Thus, the assertion that wreckage may only be moved to protect it from further damage aligns with established guidelines for handling aircraft incidents, making this the correct answer.