A public hearing, if deemed necessary, involves NTSB investigators, other parties to the investigation, and ______.

• A. Expert Witnesses
• B. The Press
• C. The Airline Representatives
• D. The General Counsel

Answer: (A)

In a public hearing, complex, technical questions often require specialized interpretation beyond what investigators alone can provide. Expert witnesses bring deep knowledge in specific areas—such as avionics, propulsion, human factors, or structural analysis—and they present informed opinions based on data, standards, and testing. Their testimony helps the board understand and evaluate technical evidence accurately, and it can be cross-examined to test credibility and reliability. Because the hearing is about clarifying those technical aspects, expert witnesses are included as part of the process when needed, alongside the NTSB investigators and other parties to the investigation. The press and general counsel aren’t standard participants in the sense of providing technical testimony, and airline representatives are typically involved as parties rather than as expert witnesses.