The Freedom of Information
Act (also called FOI or FOIA) was created by Congress in 1966 to give
the public access to information held by the federal government.
The following refers to requests for information that you want to
receive from federal government agencies. (Your local states
have similar Freedom of Information laws, however, the information
needs to be requested under state guidelines).
It is a good idea to send
all FOIA requests via registered mail so that you have a return
receipt that the mail was received. Save all copies of your
request and be prepared to follow-through to ensure that your request
was granted.
I would suggest that you
look at the following web sites to familiarize yourself with the law
and the best way to access important information.
General Information
http://www.citizen.org/
The Freedom of
Information Act - A User's Guide
http://www.citizen.org/litigation/foic/foilguid.html
Sample FOIA Request
Letter
http://www.citizen.org/litigation/foic/foialet.html
Sample FOIA Letter of
Appeal. If you feel their objections are not valid, or if
you have received no response, this is the letter to file. Also
consider changing your FOIA request to overcome their objections, and
file again.
http://www.citizen.org/litigation/foic/foiaapp.html
The law applies to all
government agencies; however, some are more prompt than others with
compliance. Save all of your records.
We are providing the FAA and
NTSB addresses as those are the primary agencies handling federal air
crash investigations and information. Feel free to send your
same request to both the FAA and NTSB.
Freedom of Information
Officer
National Transportation Safety Board
490 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington DC 20594
(202) 314-6000
Also check www.ntsb.gov
and click on FOIA at the bottom of their menu column.
Freedom of Information
Officer
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave SW
Washington DC 20591
You may also send requests
to the local FAA offices; locations are listed on their web site.
For more information also use the Search box on their web site, and
enter Freedom of Information Request www.faa.gov
