The NTSB, or National Transportation Safety Board, is an independent federal agency that investigates significant transportation accidents. Consequently, the NTSB investigates all civil aviation accidents in the US. Based on its inquiries into the causes of accidents, the NTSB issues recommendations in order to prevent future accidents and make transportation safer; they also maintain the government’s database of civil aviation accidents. The NTSB has no power to enforce or regulate the aviation industry, only to offer recommendations. During their investigations, the NTSB does not and cannot establish liability; they simply attempt to determine the cause.