49 CFR § 831.12 - Access to and release of wreckage, records, mail, and cargo.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s831.12"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 831.12 - Access to and release of wreckage, records, mail, and cargo."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "831.12"
section_name: "Access to and release of wreckage, records, mail, and cargo."
chapter_name: "NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD"
part_number: "831"
part_name: "INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 1113(f)."
regulatory_source: "82 FR 29685, June 29, 2017, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "831"
---
# 831.12 Access to and release of wreckage, records, mail, and cargo.
(a) Only persons authorized by the NTSB IIC may be permitted access to wreckage, records, mail, or cargo.
(b) Wreckage, records, mail, and cargo in the NTSB's custody will be released when the NTSB determines it has no further need for such items. Recipients of released wreckage must sign an acknowledgement of release provided by the NTSB.