What is the primary purpose of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)?

The primary purpose of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is to oversee the safety of all modes of transportation. This includes not only aviation but also rail, highway, marine, and pipeline transport. The NTSB conducts thorough investigations into transportation incidents to determine their causes, promote safety recommendations, and enhance overall transportation safety in the United States.

This agency plays a crucial role in analyzing accidents and incidents, leading to safety recommendations and regulatory changes that aim to prevent future events, promoting a safer transportation environment for the public. This focus on comprehensive safety oversight spans across various transportation modalities, making it a vital contributor to national transportation safety policies.

In contrast, the other choices reflect different aspects of transportation and airline operations that are not under the NTSB's purview, such as representation of airline staff, financial management of airlines, or customer service improvements, which are managed by other entities and organizations.