Jennifer Homendy✓

Joining so many around the world in keeping the victims of the Spanish train collision, their families, first responders, and investigators in my prayers. The aftermath of this tragedy is devastating, and the NTSB stands in steadfast solidarity with the people of Spain.

On behalf of the NTSB, Chairwoman Homendy extends our condolences following the tragic Oct. 28 high-speed rail accident in central Spain. The Chairwoman has offered the agency's support to Spain's Autoridad Administrativa Independiente para la Investigación Técnica de Accidentes e Incidentes ferroviarios, marítimos y de aviación civil should they require technical assistance or investigative cooperation.

I mean, how could we not check out the @FDNY Hook & Ladder Company 8 firehouse (Ghostbusters headquarters) and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on the way to the Vision Zero Cities conference? Also, @NYC_DOT, how are these curb cuts accessible?

It’s National First Responders Day! Thank you to our law enforcement and fire & rescue partners. We couldn’t do what we do without you. A special shout out to Chief Rita Rodriguez who I ran into while I was onscene in Miami. Chief Rodriguez leads the Criminal Investigations Division @MiamiDade_SO with over 26 years of service in Miami-Dade County. I met her when she was a student and I was a guest speaker at the @FBINAAQuantico.

At @CNBC this morning on commercial #aviation #safety. I was asked whether aviation is safe. Yes, aviation in the U.S. is extraordinarily safe. The biggest risk in transportation is on our roads where 95% of all transportation deaths occur. With that said, there are significant vulnerabilities in the system that must be addressed. @NTSB has issued nearly 400 aviation safety recs that are awaiting action. We’ve issued some of these repeatedly. ADS-B In and #tech that provides visual and aural alerts to flight crews of traffic on a runway or taxiway and traffic on approach to land are great examples. That last one was first issued in 2000 and just recently reissued in 2024! If implemented, these recs will save lives.

With Buddy Lewis and the amazing team from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office talking about alcohol-impaired driving and teen driving. Buddy’s a strong advocate for traffic safety and I promised I would not miss the 38th Annual Tennessee Lifesavers Conference!

RT @NTSB_Newsroom: Railroads connect communities across America, but that connection depends on safety. The NTSB’s Strengthen Rail Safety Across America campaign reinforces that every week is Rail Safety Week and that lessons from tragedy must lead to action that prevents future deaths and injuries. Rail workers face demanding conditions around moving equipment, often at night and in severe weather. They deserve strong training, clear communication, effective protections, and a culture that puts safety first.

Working near live tracks can turn deadly in seconds. Two NTSB investigations highlight the fatal risks conductors face near active tracks. Our new Safety Alert outlines actions to strengthen rail worker protections. Read more:

From Lions to Tigers and a transpo-themed @ClemsonUniv homecoming: Flight 1889. The floats on Bowman Field are amazing (cropped to exclude minors).

At @ClemsonUniv with the Institute for Global Road Safety and Security’s Advancement Board, Dr. Alexander and fellow alumni talking road safety, including impaired driving in South Carolina. Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for about 40% of all traffic fatalities in SC. Always love hearing from @SC_DMV Executive Director Kevin Shwedo.

RT @NTSB: Seat belts work best when worn correctly. In Leander, TX, only 6 of 42 visible students aboard a school bus were belted, and 4 wore them improperly. NTSB's investigation highlights the importance of proper seat belt use. Watch: #SchoolBusSafetyWeek

RT @NTSB: School buses are the safest way to transport students to and from school. But they can be made even safer. During #SchoolBusSafetyWeek, we're highlighting NTSB investigations that reinforce the importance of properly worn lap/shoulder seat belts.

Great job to the crew of @united flight 1775 from IAD to ORD! Their communications with passengers and flight attendants and focus on #safety during turbulence was exceptional… the best I’ve ever heard. (Yes, I immediately texted their VP of Corporate Safety) DYK @NTSB published a study and recommendations on preventing turbulence-related injuries in 2021:

Darice Gilliam’s husband couldn’t join her in Vegas so we promised to post our pic. We missed you, Ken! Darice is a total boss and Chairman of BLET’s Arizona State Legislative Board as well as Sec-Treas of @blet Division 383. DYK one of my goals is to take the locomotive engineer + conductor basic training program @Bucks_edu? Someday…

RT @skupor: "Federal employees should be rewarded for what they can do, not for how long they’ve been on the job." Today, we @USOPM eliminated the historically anti-merit principle of gating promotions for top performing employees based upon their time in seat. No longer - merit prevails over tenure!

Honored to be among these distinguished Penn Staters to receive the Penn State Alumni Association’s highest honor, the Alumni Fellow Award. Since the award was established in 1973, more than 900 Penn State alumni have received the distinction. Thank you to Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor and Dean David Callejo Perez and his team for all you do for faculty, students, and alumni! More here:

I always talk about @NTSB #safety recommendations that are not implemented. We also need to celebrate those that are so that others see how our work and the work of recommendation recipients improve safety. So… a heartfelt thank you to the @UMAonTheRoad for implementing our #safety recommendations from our investigation of the November 14, 2023, multivehicle collision and post crash fire in Etna, Ohio. Your continued efforts to improve truck and bus safety are appreciated! I was on scene for this crash and it was and still is heartbreaking for so many. Three motorcoach passengers (kids) and three passenger vehicle occupants died. The driver and two passengers of the motorcoach, as well as the driver of a passenger vehicle, were seriously injured. The driver of the truck driver and 36 motorcoach passengers sustained minor physical injuries. Our hearts will always remain with the victims and families of this horrific tragedy.

What an action-packed time in Northern Arkansas! From a visit with @rep_stevewomack and his amazing district staff, a Town Hall Talk with Fox5’s Tiffany Lee, a fantastic meeting with Jim Morey and Steve Serio of Bella Vista to discuss their tool to address the safety hazards associated with over-torquing and under-torquing wheel lug nuts on vehicles, and a visit to @Walmart HQ in Bentonville to learn about driver and vehicle #safety. Looking forward to welcoming Walmart to @NTSB HQ in a few weeks. Not to worry… I would not leave Arkansas without visiting Herman’s in Fayetteville and catching an @ArkansasFball game. Love my Nittany Lions and Clemson Tigers but I can make room for the Hogs!

Had the pleasure of joining 5News This Morning anchor Tiffany Lee in Rogers, Arkansas, for the latest episode of Town Hall Talks.