The Report confirms that passengers started placing calls with cell and air phones shortly after 9.32am, four minutes after the Report's confirmation of the plane's attitude of 35,000 feet. These cell calls started some 9 minutes before the Cleveland Center lost United 93,s transponder signal

For example if a cell (area serviced by a given cellsite) were a mile in diameter, the aircraft would be in it for one to eight seconds. Before a cellphone call can go through, the device must complete an electronic "handshake" with the cellsite servicing the call. This handshake can hardly be completed in eight seconds. When the aircraft comes into the next cell, the call must be "handed off" to the new cellsite. This process also absorbs seconds of time. Together, the two requirements for a successful and continuous call would appear to absorb too much time for a speaking [connection to be established. Sooner or later, the call is "dropped."

What Happens To The NTSB Report In Court?

NTSB probable cause determinations are not admissible in evidence!

Judge's have even a greater concern - if they were to simply show the jury the NTSB Report in all of its finality, juries would simply defer to the opinions of the federal investigators. Litigants would, in effect, be denied their right to a jury trial because the jury's prerogatives would be usurped by the findings of investigators who had investigated a particular accident.

In order to enable the NTSB to determine the probable cause of accidents and improve aviation safety, its investigators are given more legal power than many governmental agencies. NTSB investigators have the right to interrogate witnesses on demand, inspect files, enter facilities and aircraft, examine the processes and computer data of any party involved in an air crash.

What Really Goes On In An NTSB Investigation?

In a major air crash investigation, each of the groups and parties involved, have daily meetings to review the ongoing developments in the investigation. Notes are taken, draft reports are discussed, and various theories as to the cause of the crash are explored.

What Is Included In An NTSB Report?

Field investigations result in a factual report, from which the investigator recommends a probable cause determination to the Board. The Board then reviews field investigation reports and votes to adopt, reject or modify the probable cause determination recommended by a Field Investigator.

When the NTSB approves a Field Investigator's Factual Report, their probable cause determination along with a summary of the relevant facts is published on a quarterly basis. You can find all such accidents by date and location in "Briefs of Accident" in the public dockets section of NTSB Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Major accident investigations led by NTSB "Go Teams" are more heavily documented.

Air Crash Investigation and Analysis Checklist

The following is an abbreviated list of information from all sources, which experienced aviation accident lawyers should know how to quickly obtain after a major accident, in order to assist a client with an independent investigation:

+ Airworthiness Directives Files
+ Service Bulletins and Letters and Instructions
+ TSOs
+Advisory Circulars and Other FAA Orders
+ General Aviation Inspection Aids
+ Patent Applications
+ Hazard Reports
+ Service Difficulty Reports
+ Malfunction Defect Reports
+ Overhaul and Maintenance Records
+ Annual or Periodic Inspection Records
+ Pilot, Airplane, Engine and Propeller Logbooks
+ Certified NWS Weather Data
+ FAA Facility Logs
+ FAA Aircraft Certification Files
+ FAA Airman License and Medical Files
+ FAA Airman Training Records
+ FAA Aircraft Title and Registration Records
+ TRACON Radar Raw Data generated by ARTS
+ NTAP Radar Raw data from the ARTCC
+ Flight Plans and Ship Logs
+ Investigative Reports of Federal, State, County and Municipal Law Enforcement, Emergency, Fire and
Rescue Agencies
+ Medical Reports (its amazing what is quoted in medical history taken by doctors)
+ Autopsy Reports
+ CAMI Toxicology Reports
+ Wreckage Scene Photos
+ Wreckage Pattern Videotapes
+ Airport Data
+ Navigational Charts
+ Instrument Approach Plates
+ Reports of similar accidents involving similar aircraft or components
+ NTSB and ICAO Safety Summaries and Recommendations
+ Tape Recordings of "all" communications relevant to the accident flight, (not just the usual 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after contact with the accident aircraft)

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Over and out.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
www.ntsb.gov...

according to this report the investigation is open. I would suspect that much of these attacks are classified. At any rate, it is not usually a customary to issue a report prior to the completion of the investigation.