For incidents aboard aircraft "in flight" within the special jurisdiction of the United States, who is the lead agency?

The correct agency for incidents aboard aircraft "in flight" within the special jurisdiction of the United States is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA is responsible for regulating all aspects of civil aviation within the United States, which includes oversight of flight safety, pilot certification, and air traffic control. When it comes to incidents or accidents involving aircraft that occur while they are in flight, the FAA plays a critical role in investigating and ensuring compliance with federal aviation regulations.

The Department of Transportation oversees transportation systems and policies overall but does not handle incident-specific investigations in flight. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is involved in investigating aviation accidents; however, their role typically follows along with the FAA's jurisdiction, providing a separate layer of investigation rather than being the leading agency on site during the incident. The Department of Justice's focus is generally more aligned with legal enforcement and oversight rather than specific aviation matters. Understanding these hierarchies highlights why the FAA is the lead agency in this context.