Shows
Flight Safety Detectives2020 Midair Collision Revisited- Episode 221New evidence calls into question the NTSB's conclusions – and our reporting in Episode 193 - about a 2020 midair collision. Video and other information shows that there were two helicopters in the area before the midair collision.Miles O'Brien, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia revisit the 2020 midair collision of a drone and a helicopter. The NTSB used a video shot by the drone to conclude that a helicopter seen at the beginning of the video later collided with the drone. When Todd recently used the video as part of a class he was teaching, he noticed a sha...
2024-05-1532 min
Flight Safety DetectivesNavigating the Risks of Post-Maintenance Flights - Episode 217Miles O'Brien joins Todd Curtis and John Goglia to discuss two fatal general aviation accidents that involved aircraft that were just out of maintenance. In focus are the decisions and actions pilots and maintenance personnel could have taken to avoid the crashes or make them survivable.One crash involves a Piper Cherokee on its second flight after an oil pressure line was replaced. The pilot did not do a basic preflight check or notice a five-foot diameter oil stain under the aircraft. The engine failed shortly after takeoff, and the pilot crashed while attempting to make a 180° t...
2024-04-1732 min
Flight Safety DetectivesMajor League Pitcher Halladay's Flight Stunts Lead to Death – Episode 190A former major league pitcher who had a Hall of Fame career died when doing stunt-type maneuvers in his plane. Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss Roy "Doc" Halladay’s risk-taking behavior that led to the November 2017 crash of the Icon A5 light sport aircraft he was piloting.The plane crash occurred when Halladay was executing aggressive maneuvers at low altitudes over the waters near Clearwater, Florida. The NTSB investigation showed that Halladay had drugs in his system that would have likely impaired his decision-making ability.John sums up Halladay’s actions as “absolutely crazy.” Todd not...
2023-11-0828 min
Flight Safety DetectivesUAPs Pose Flight Safety Threats – Episode 181People have seen unexplained objects in the skies for decades. The US Government and other entities are finally discussing these events publicly, an important development for aviation safety.
“These events have an impact on flight crews and systems and are important to look at,” says Todd Curtis.
Now falling under the classification, unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), these events have been cited by the US Government as impacting national security and public safety. Todd and John discuss how these events impact aviation safety.
The episode looks at the July 2023 hearing in the US House of R...
2023-10-0334 min
Flight Safety DetectivesPilot Gets Lost During Night Flight – Episode 166Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia discuss the role of pilot decision making in a crash of a Cessna 152 in Florida. The pilot decided to do some practice flying at night and under low visibility conditions with deadly results.
The NTSB investigation of the 2015 fatal crash did not seriously investigate several apparent issues, including the quality of the accident pilot's training and English language proficiency. Hear the recording with Air Traffic Control to get a sense of the severe communication issues that occurred.
Like many accidents, the trajectory of this accident was set before...
2023-05-1742 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCommercial Space Safety: Human Factors – Episode 165Commercial space operations pose significant aviation safety challenges. Safety systems and processes need to evolve to meet the demands of new technologies and approaches. John Goglia and Todd Curtis discuss human factors issues with experimental aircraft.
They examine the single commercial space accident in the NTSB database. The investigation looked at the 2014 inflight breaking of Scaled Composite's SpaceShip Tow spacecraft over the Mojave Desert. A disconnect between how engineers expected the aircraft to be operated and pilot behavior in the cockpit appears to be at the root of this accident. They look particularly at assumptions made about...
2023-05-1033 min
Flight Safety DetectivesA Terrible Year for Aviation Accidents – Episode 164John Goglia, Greg Feith, and Todd Curtis discuss the 1985 crash of an Eastern Airlines 727 in the mountains of Bolivia. Greg was an on-site NTSB investigator for the crash that was the start of one of the worst commercial aviation accident years in history.
Greg led an expedition to the Andes Mountains to attempt to retrieve the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. He offers a preview of a two-hour documentary that will focus on the accident.
They also discuss a variety of ground incidents that have led to injuries and fatalities on the ramp...
2023-05-0338 min
Flight Safety DetectivesLive! from the 2023 Aerospace Maintenance Competition – Episode 163John Goglia, Greg Feith, and Todd Curtis share news from the 2023 Aerospace Maintenance Competition held during MRO Americas in Atlanta. More than 80 maintenance teams from around the world participated in this year’s competition.
John is a long-time organizer of the event, and Todd is involved in human factors aspects of the competition. Competitors tackled 26 testing areas.
Also on hand were some big names in commercial aviation. Many job offers were made onsite. Competitors demonstrate the skills airlines need to support quality maintenance programs.
The Flight Safety Detectives discuss all the opportunities that th...
2023-04-2627 min
Flight Safety DetectivesWake Turbulence Can Be Dangerous – Episode 162Important reminder - wake turbulence can be dangerous. It moves with the wind and can be hard to avoid without great care. John Goglia and Todd Curtis look at two aviation safety events that illustrate what happens when pilots experience wake turbulence.
Both incidents under discussion involve certified flight instructors (CFIs). They illustrate issues with decision making and the skill needed to avert major disaster.
One incident is from a NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) report. The second is from an NTSB incident report. Neither resulted in damage or injury, but both had the...
2023-04-1935 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFamed R&B Singer Killed in Air Crash Caused by Safety Errors – Episode 161The air crash that killed R&B singer Aaliyah had more safety holes than swiss cheese. John Goglia and Todd Curtis examine at the Bahamian authority report of the 2001 event.
Eight passengers and a pilot were onboard the Cessna 402B charter flight. John and Todd discuss the details of the accident report and the multiple organizational issues of the aircraft operator.
They find that shoddy airline operations are at the center of the cause of this event. They talk about the specific shortcomings that involve everything from pilot verification, to aircraft maintenance to illegal operations.
2023-04-1221 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCaptain Kirk, SXSW and Listener Questions - Episode 160Todd Curtis is just back from exploring the future of air transportation on display at SXSW in Austin, Texas. He and John Goglia talk about newcomers Jove and EVE, electric and hydrogen engines and more. Plus, they answer listener questions.
They highlight aviation safety issues brought by new technology and aviation innovations. They cover everything from cockpit design to countering perceptions created by the Hindenburg crash.
Pilot training, maintenance capabilities, and regulations will all need to evolve as we move toward a time of advanced air mobility.
“New technology will need to meet ol...
2023-04-0542 min
Flight Safety DetectivesLoss of Control or Structural Inflight Breakup? - Episode 159The crash of a Pilatus PC-12 this February 24 killed all five aboard. John Goglia and Greg Feith use their investigation prowess to examine whether the air crash was caused by pilot loss of control or structural inflight breakup that led to loss of control.
Greg and John discuss the preliminary NTSB accident report and analyze ADS-B data from the flight. They review the facts that show why this accident is likely more than a case of spatial disorientation.
The crash was the third fatal accident for air ambulance provider Guardian Flight. Investigators will need to...
2023-03-2935 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCessna 441 Engine Issue Traced to Maintenance Mistakes - Episode 158A Cessna 441 Conquest had an engine issue and landed without incident. A fix was made, but that’s not the end of the story. A second incident occurred that revealed damage not initially discovered. The Flight Safety Detectives share major safety takeaways from this sequence of events.
The focus is on an Australian investigation of a 2021 incident. During some engine maintenance, two adjacent oil lines were transposed. The error was discovered when the engine did not operate properly in flight. A field repair was done, but a short time later there was another engine problem.
Th...
2023-03-2223 min
Flight Safety DetectivesYeti Air Crash Preliminary Report - Episode 157The Flight Safety Detectives examine the preliminary accident report from the fatal January 2023 crash of a Yeti Airlines ATR 72. They discuss professionalism and crew resource management as the central cause.
“Pilots needs to execute with purpose,” Greg Feith says. “That means that before you do or touch anything in the cockpit you have to be clear about your purpose.”
Greg, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia share possible reasons why the flight crew made fundamental errors that allowed the aircraft to stall and crash shortly before landing. For them, the crash may become a great case study fo...
2023-03-1536 min
Flight Safety DetectivesDeadly Cory Lidle Crash Caused by Failure to Plan- Episode 156Major League Baseball player Cory Lidle was killed when he flew his Cirrus SR20 into a building alongside the East River in New York. The accident shows the consequences of failure to do preflight planning and poor aeronautical decision making.
Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia discuss the circumstances around the October 11, 2006 crash. The aircraft was on a VFR flight beneath the Class B airspace around Manhattan Island. Lidle and his passenger, who was a certificated instructor pilot, were unable to negotiate a turn over the East River, and were killed after striking a building.
2023-03-0833 min
Flight Safety DetectivesVintage Aircraft Creating Safety Concerns - Episode 155Vintage airframes are creating modern-day safety issues. Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the recent P63 -B17 crash at a Texas air show as one example. They also examine a 2020 crash of a Vietnam era UH-1H helicopter that crashed during fire suppression operations.
The Flight safety Detectives talk about the challenges of keeping older airframes safe. Metal ages and fatigues. Maintenance records are less clear. The people with in-depth experience with these aircraft become scarce.
They talk about the many facets the FAA will need to consider as the agency reassesses the proper use...
2023-03-0122 min
Flight Safety DetectivesPhraseology and Aviation Safety - Episode 154Words matter. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia discuss several aviation incidents with a common thread of communication issues.
They cover two runway incursions that were dangerously close to becoming runway collisions. One was at JFK Airport in January 2023, and the second in Austin in February 2023. These air carrier events are an opportunity to look phraseology and communication as factors in aviation safety.
The Flight Safety Detectives talk about the importance of investigators looking at cockpit communication issues and human factors issues in these incidents. In both, they suspect that little things like the...
2023-02-2237 min
Flight Safety Detectives19 Operational Mistakes and 1 Ruined Helicopter - Episode 153“A sloppy operation all around.” That’s John Goglia’s summary of a helicopter and truck accident that’s the subject of this episode. John counts 19 operational errors listed in the accident report that all contributed to the crash that destroyed a police helicopter.
John and Todd Curtis share insight and amateur video that provide a close look at the 2020 ground collision in Brazil. The helicopter was operating on a public road while traffic was passing both in front of and behind the aircraft.
Many operational procedures were in place to avoid such an accident. Unfortunat...
2023-02-1529 min
Flight Safety DetectivesA320 Elevator Damage Impacts Flight - Episode 152John Goglia and Todd Curtis discuss a recent event where an A320 lost part of its left elevator during takeoff in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The focus is on the differences in aviation safety systems around the globe, the challenges of tracking service bulletins on aircraft, and pilot decision making.
In this Jan. 29 flight, the flight control system was damaged and the aircraft was unable to make left turns. The aircraft continued to its destination and landed safely.
John and Todd discuss the crew's decision to continue the flight, the ability of the...
2023-02-0827 min
Flight Safety DetectivesExperienced Test Pilot Doomed by Severe Weather- Episode 151Even highly experienced pilots can be overcome by severe weather. Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the fatal crash that took the life of famed test pilot Scott Crossfield. A thunderstorm boxed him in, leading to loss of control of his Cessna 210A.
John and Todd examine the weather information available to the pilot and to air traffic controllers. Failure to pay attention and communicate about the weather played a key factor in this air crash.
Crossfield was a famous test pilot with more than 11,000 flight hours. He was the first person to break Mach 2...
2023-02-0127 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFlight Instructors Can Be Dead Wrong - Episode 150A pilot in training paid with her life when a flight instructor chose a poor location to practice engine failure maneuvers. John and Todd review the evidence collected following the air crash in California to offer flight safety advice.
Being a pilot is not easy. Pay attention to everything. Anticipate what could go wrong and have a plan.
In the 2017 accident reviewed in this episode, a flight instructor chose a mountainous area to teach simulated engine failures. Two students were aboard, one actively participating in the lesson and a second observing.
The poor...
2023-01-2521 min
Flight Safety DetectivesSpatial Disorientation Kills – Episode 149Spatial disorientation can happen to any pilot. It led to the fatal crashes that killed John F Kennedy Jr and Kobe Bryant. John, Greg and Todd are joined by expert Andy Watson to talk about ways pilots can avoid a deadly air crash.
Andy Watson is a professional air traffic controller, pilot, and author of the book, The Pilot’s Guide to Air Traffic Control. He describes the FAA accident briefing that led him to research spatial disorientation and develop practical recommendations to help avoid it.
Spatial disorientation can happen when a pilot is in IF...
2023-01-1840 min
Flight Safety DetectivesTroy Gentry Crash Caused by Maintenance Error – Episode 148The helicopter crash that killed musician Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry was primarily caused by improper maintenance. The Flight Safety Detectives share why they find fault with the NTSB assigning the primary cause to the pilot.
“It is clear that the basic cause of this accident occurred in the hangar,” says John Goglia.
John and Todd review the information in the NTSB report. They applaud the excellent work done by the NTSB lab that showed how improper installation of engine tie rod nuts led to engine failure of the Schweizer 269C.
While there are...
2023-01-1126 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAviation Skills Save Harrison Ford – Episode 147Rapid decision making and impressive aviator skills saved Harrison Ford from a deadly result in a 2015 air crash. The Flight Safety Detectives review the facts that show that Ford had a clear plan and was decisive as he dealt with engine failure shortly after takeoff in his vintage plane.
Ford quickly determined that returning to the Santa Monica airport would not work. He landed on a golf course. The hard impact caused him serious injury but no one on the ground was hurt.
“Harrison Ford did everything right. He was mentally prepared and was able to...
2023-01-0433 min
Flight Safety DetectivesPeter Tomarken Air Crash Was SurvivableEpisode 146
A pilot lost engine power in his single engine plane shortly after takeoff. He did a controlled ditch into the Pacific. The plane is largely intact, yet the pilot and his passenger die. The Flight Safety Detectives dig into the NTSB final report of the Peter Tomarken air crash to look at how this event could have been survived.
TV personality Peter Tomarken and his wife Kathleen were killed when his Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed a few hundred feet offshore in Santa Monica Bay in March 2006. The aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff...
2022-12-2130 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAviation Safety & Animals – Episode 145More than 53 dogs being transported from New Orleans to Milwaukee had a bumpy ride when their cargo flight crashed on a golf course. This is a good news story with just a few minor injuries. John and Todd take the opportunity to put the focus on aviation safety for animals.
Animals are transported by air for a variety of reasons. There are some regulations to ensure their safety. However, Greg and Todd advise that anyone considering air transport for an animal do careful research and purchase a suitable travel carrier.
This crash involved a Fairchild...
2022-12-1426 min
Flight Safety DetectivesSee & Avoid - Episode 144"See and Avoid" is widely recognized as a method for avoiding collision. This accident shows that approach has limits.
The term "See and Avoid" is part of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulation 14 CFR Part 91.113 (b), calling for pilots to actively search for potentially conflicting traffic. John and Todd discuss a 2014 accident where two planes crashed because they were not able to see one another in time.
The accident involved a Cessna 172 and a Searey homebuilt participating in a Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program. The Cessna was overtaking the Searey as it descended and the...
2022-12-0726 min
Flight Safety DetectivesMooney Accident in Maryland - Episode 143Did get-there-itis and lack of preflight planning lead to the crash of a Mooney M20J into a power line tower in Montgomery County, Maryland on November 27? The Flight Safety Detectives think so.
The aircraft had taken off from Westchester County, New York, and was bound for the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg. Around 5:40 PM, for reasons still under investigation, it crashed about a few miles away from the runway. The crash was close to home for Greg, who lives just four miles from the site.
John, Greg and Todd talk about the investigation ahead...
2022-11-3032 min
Flight Safety DetectivesRecent Air Crash Leads to Urgent Aviation Safety RecommendationEpisode 142
The NTSB has issued an urgent aviation safety recommendation for all operators of DHC-3 Otters to conduct an immediate one-time inspection of the horizontal stabilizer actuator lock ring. This is the result of the NTSB’s initial findings in the ongoing investigation of the Sept. 4, 2022, crash of a De Havilland Canada DHC-3 in Mutiny Bay, Washington.
Wreckage recovered from this accident reveals evidence related to the horizontal stabilizer actuator. The actuator has two parts that were screwed together and secured with a circular wire lock ring. It appears the lock ring was not seated pr...
2022-11-2323 min
Flight Safety DetectivesPassenger Suicide in FlightEpisode 141
The NTSB database has just 74 events involving suicide and the focus of this discussion is the only one that involves a passenger rather than a pilot. The event took place in 2000, when a passenger on a Twin Otter plane intentionally opened the emergency exit door in flight.
As we enter the holiday season, this accident is a reminder of the additional pressures many people experience. The Flight Safety Detectives ask everyone in aviation to be especially diligent.
In this case, another passenger saw the person open the door and tried to keep...
2022-11-1624 min
Flight Safety DetectivesJohn Denver Crash and Experimental AircraftEpisode 140
A look inside the world of experimental aircraft is prompted by John Denver’s fatal crash 25 years ago. Denver was flying an experimental aircraft he had recently purchased. The non-standard placement of the fuel selector valve was found to be at the heart of the issues that lead to the crash.
John, Greg and Todd talk about how experimental aircraft are built and maintained. They talk about how modifications are made, often with little oversight.
The particular Long-EZ plane that Denver purchased was built with the fuel selector site valve mounted on th...
2022-11-0949 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFailure to Plan Leads to Cessna 150 CrashEpisode 139
A pilot in a Cessna 150 making a short trip in Australia got himself into trying circumstances that led to a crash into trees. This episode dissects the preplanning failures that doomed this 1994 flight.
The pilot took off at 3:50 a.m. on a schedule that would get him home for Christmas. Predicted bad weather caught up with him, and a partial failure of the instrument control panel added to the situation. The plane crashed into trees, and fortunately the pilot was able to walk away.
His choices stacked the deck against him including...
2022-11-0219 min
Flight Safety DetectivesLevel 5 Thunderstorm Leads to Plane CrashEpisode 138
Flight Safety Detectives examine the crash of a Sabreliner twin engine plane in Ironwood, Michigan. The pilots flew into severe weather and did not follow standard procedures to avoid engine flameout.
The pilots were on a day trip transporting two business executives. They flew into a level 5 thunderstorm and lost both engines. The investigation showed they did not use the established checklist for this type of situation.
John discusses the continuous ignition system that was not apparently turned on. That system is designed to allow for quick restart of the engines.
2022-10-2627 min
Flight Safety DetectivesSwedish Accident Reveals Stall Sensor LessonsEpisode 137
The investigation of an issue involving a RJ100 in Sweden is relevant to everyone who flies sophisticated aircraft. Specifically, this investigation revealed issues related to the high angle of attack stall sensor that is commonly used in the aviation industry.
The Swedish authority that investigated the issue deployed a multi-person team. They were able to identify the maintenance errors that led to a false stall warning in flight.
John notes that the stick shake stall warning is the same event that started both 737 Max crashes, as well as an Air France A340...
2022-10-2029 min
Flight Safety DetectivesSick Airplane or Pilot Incompetence?Episode 136
Was the fatal crash of a Piper PA46-500TP airplane the result of a plane with unresolved maintenance issues or a pilot with insufficient skills? The Flight Safety Detectives find that the NTSB report of this accident has no educational value or safety benefit.
Calling the single engine turbo-prop plane “not your father’s 172,” Greg brings to light the complexities of the aircraft involved. “When things go bad, they go bad very quickly.”
Todd adds his research on social media that indicates the pilot was uncomfortable with the plane. He notes that the p...
2022-10-1234 min
Flight Safety DetectivesMechanical Malfunction Suspected in Recent Cessna 182G CrashEpisode 135
The investigation into a June 2022 Cessna 182G crash in Texas is ongoing. The Flight Safety Detectives share initial facts and offer safety insights.
“A mechanical malfunction is high on my list to look at. Anything out of place, even a simple cotter pin, could have led to problems,” says John.
The detectives share the indications that there was loss of flight controls in the final stages of the flight. They share facts they have uncovered. Listen as they apply their experience to ask questions that the investigation should explore.
Weather cond...
2022-10-0522 min
Flight Safety DetectivesPoor Aeronautical Decision-Making Causes Piper CrashEpisode 134
Poor decision-making by the pilot is showcased in the examination of a Piper PA-24 crash in Angel Fire, New Mexico. The Flight Safety Detectives find that the NTSB report of this air crash provides helpful information and findings that every pilot can learn from.
Greg, John and Todd review the facts, conditions and circumstances of the accident to amplify the role of the pilot’s decisions before and during the flight. A lack of preparation led to this crash and two fatalities.
The pilot was not prepared for the gusty winds present at...
2022-09-2834 min
Flight Safety DetectivesHuman Factors Ignored on the Maintenance FloorEpisode 133
An accident involving a Hughes 269C helicopter demonstrates the lack of depth in accidents attributed to maintenance errors. Once again, there is no analysis on the human factors involved among maintenance personnel.
The NTSB probable cause for this air crash points to an improperly installed mounting bracket on the engine. The supporting details and aviation insights are lacking.
“My frustration is that they go no further than to say this is a maintenance issue,” John Goglia says. “No human factors are explored although that is as important in maintenance as it is in the...
2022-09-2134 min
Flight Safety DetectivesThe FAA AC that Could Save Your LifeEpisode 132
FAA Advisory Circular 60-22 just may save your life. The document looks at aeronautical decision making and five hazardous attitudes.
In the cockpit, on the hangar floor and in life, the Flight Safety Detectives say this information provides critical insight for everyone in aviation.
Greg, John and Todd use a Cirrus SR 22 air crash in Midland, Texas to illustrate how poor decision-making puts pilots and passengers at risk. Hear as they make the case for everyone in aviation to apply this insight to their work and life.
Pilots who don’t...
2022-09-1431 min
Flight Safety DetectivesWorthless NTSB Report Adds to Faulty Safety DataEpisode 131
Continuing the discussion started in Episode 128, the deficiencies of the NTSB report of a plane crash in Palo Alto are laid out. John, Greg, and Todd conclude that the report actually contributes to the problem of inaccurate data leading to time and money being spent on the wrong aviation safety issues.
Estimates are that more than 50 percent of NTSB reports are inaccurate, incorrect or outright wrong. This report is highlighted as a case in point.
Greg outlines several questions not answered – or incorrectly addressed – in the report. Here are just a few:
T...
2022-09-0730 min
Flight Safety DetectivesHow to Get Information on Aircraft IncidentsEpisode 130
Ever wonder how to get details on aviation accidents? You may be surprised to learn that many incidents don’t get added to the NTSB online database.
The Flight Safety Detectives share how they find aviation incident information, from basic Google searches to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
“Most people don’t realize that many accidents are investigated by the FAA, not the NTSB,” John says. “And there are many databases out there that can have information.”
The example of wing strike incident with a rental aircraft used by Todd is used...
2022-08-3130 min
Flight Safety DetectivesTips for Today's General Aviation PilotsEpisode 129
A look at the broad community of support available to today’s general aviation pilots. Todd is discovering rich resources that are helpful to every pilot as he returns to the cockpit after many years.
“Flight instructors are a wealth of knowledge, but pilots still need more,” says Todd.
He and John discuss several important resources:
Aviation-specific weather available 24/7/365, forecast and up-to-the-minute
YouTube videos that provide education on large and small topics
Updated regulations online
Todd also shares resources he has used to prepare for the various qualification exams. He explai...
2022-08-2432 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCessna 310R Air Crash Report Highlights and FailuresEpisode 128
The NTSB report of a 2010 Cessna 310R air crash in Palo Alto, California gets mixed reviews. Todd’s impressed by a sound study used to recreate the flight path, and John finds lots of detail in the examination of the wreckage, engine and prop. The positive first impression falls apart when Greg highlights missing details.
The report does not answer many questions, including:
Appropriateness of unusual air traffic control instructions to “take off at your own risk”
Why the pilot turned left rather than right shortly after takeoff
How 200 knot speed was achieved just 1...
2022-08-1728 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAir Safety Insights Comes Addressing the Whys the NTSB MissesEpisode 127
A look beyond the NTSB documentation of a Cessna 421C crash in Florida. Greg and John review the many important “whys’ not answered in the report.
Why did the pilot not properly follow procedures to handle engine failure despite completing a training program just 90 days earlier?
Why was a pilot who had recently completed a certified training program so ill prepared for handle an engine failure scenario?
Why was there loss of torque in several bolts and other internal engine damage?
“A lot of valuable safety information could have b...
2022-08-1127 min
Flight Safety DetectivesPilot Training Causes Fatal Cessna 421 CrashEpisode 126
Poor pilot training is a central cause of a Cessna 421C crash in Florida. The NTSB report documents the crash, but misses the opportunity to fully analyze the training failures. With the number of accidents that involve training issues on the rise, the Flight Safety Detectives dig into this accident to share important safety takeaways.
“The good news is that pilot training quality issues are on the radar of FAA inspectors,” John says. He and Greg agree that attention and improvements can’t come quick enough.
Many recent accidents show obvious training defici...
2022-08-0319 min
Flight Safety DetectivesLive from OshKosh – A Pilot's Story of Disaster AvertedEpisode 125
You never know what you will learn at the Avemco Insurance booth! John, Greg and Todd are at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. A conversation with a pilot and listener revealed a story of an air disaster averted that the Flight Safety Detectives had to share. Hear about Heather’s flight that resulted in a damaged prop and landing gear.
“I caption this story, ‘Am I really ready,’” says Greg. “It’s an important lesson every pilot and aspiring pilot needs to hear.”
Heather shares what happened during a solo flight to a new airport. It was...
2022-07-2926 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAir Disasters in the Making?Episode 124
John and Greg have get-real conversation about alarming trends in aviation safety. Accidents are increasing, even among experienced pilots. At the same time, the NTSB has scaled back on investigations and is issuing reports with superficial findings. Are more air disasters in the making?
Pilot shortages are leading to a push for training volume over quality. The college requirement has been removed and there is a push to reduce the flight hours for qualification.
“NTSB findings often talk about the importance of experience and pilot training but they have been silent now th...
2022-07-2023 min
Flight Safety DetectivesManufacturer Repair Failure Causes Air Crash – Episode 123Covering the “sister” accident to the flight crash discussed in Episode 122, John, Greg and Todd focus on the role played by manufacturers in aviation safety and maintenance. The NTSB findings place the blame for this 1995 accident squarely with the propeller manufacturer and FAA oversight.
Nine of 29 people aboard the Embraer EMB-120RT were killed in the crash of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529. In-flight loss of the propeller blade led to the collision.
“This crash is the result of the failure of the process, training and management of the manufacturer’s maintenance and repair facility,” John summarizes...
2022-07-0640 min
Flight Safety DetectivesProp Design Causes Air Crash – Episode 122A close look at the crash of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311. This 1991 accident brings focus to the importance of thorough and methodical inspection and maintenance beginning in the factory.
The flight started at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was headed to Brunswick, Georgia. The twin-turboprop Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia crashed just north of Brunswick while approaching the airport for landing. All 23 people aboard the plane were killed, including passengers NASA Astronaut Sonny Carter and former United States Senator John Tower.
The NTSB determined the cause was the design of the propeller. As the crew pulled th...
2022-06-2923 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAir Crash Not an Accident Episode 121Some air crashes are not really accidents. Todd and John characterize the focus of this week’s episode an event where a perfectly good airplane was destroyed.
“Some pilots have more money than brains, and this seems to be a case of that,” John says.
The 2021 air crash event involved a Cessna Citation flown by a single pilot. Although the pilot had experience in aviation, he had been denied a type rating for the plane and single pilot authorization by an Arizona flight school.
This fateful flight started in the Portland area. Before takeof...
2022-06-2226 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAviation Safety with the Flight Safety FoundatioEpisode 120
The efforts of the Flight Safety Foundation take center stage. Special guest is Jim Burin, former technical director at the Foundation and chairman of the award committee for the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award.
Greg and John highlight the many accomplishments of the foundation as an independent, international, and impartial non-profit that exists to champion the cause of aviation safety.
The Foundation works to identify global safety issues, set priorities and serve as a catalyst to address these concerns through data collection and information sharing. Foundation studies and publications serve as...
2022-06-1530 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFAA Takes Right Action Against Pilots in Recent StuntsEpisode 119
The Flight Safety Detectives take on two recent events where pilot stunts led the FAA to revoke their pilot certificates. Pilots are counted on for solid decision making and judgement. The FAA found that pilots failed in their duty to fly safely.
The FAA took the action when pilots Andy Farrington and Luke Aikins conducted a stunt for Red Bull that had been denied. In the other incident, Trevor Jacobs was penalized for staging a crash.
Greg, John and Todd share insight into where these pilots went astray. They talk about ways...
2022-06-0136 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCelebrating Charlie Taylor and Aviation Maintenance TodayEpisode 118
Charlie Taylor (1868 – 1956) was an American inventor, mechanic and machinist. John, Greg and Todd talk about the impacts of Taylor’s work in the earliest days of aviation.
Taylor built the first aircraft engine used by the Wright brothers in the Wright Flyer. He was a vital contributor of mechanical skills in the building and maintaining of early Wright engines and airplanes.
An unsung hero in his day, his contributions are now recognized and applauded. Aviation Maintenance Technician Day is observed on May 24, Taylor's birthday.
In 1902 Taylor was running the Wright brot...
2022-05-2431 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAircraft Maintenance Highs and LowsEpisode 117
This episode kicks off with a recap of the 2022 Aerospace Maintenance Competition. John applauds the talents of the more than 350 participants. More than 800 people attended the event!
Team and individuals earned awards and scholarships. More than 25 people also earned final interviews with companies in attendance to staff their maintenance crews.
Keeping with the maintenance theme, Greg and John cover the crash of Emery Worldwide Airlines Flight 17. Greg served at the NTSB investigator in charge. John also visited the crash site.
Originally thought to be caused by a cargo shift, the...
2022-05-1144 min
Flight Safety DetectivesHow to Polish Rusty Pilot SkillsEpisode 116
Todd Curtis has decided to return to the cockpit after decades and he’s sharing his experience. Whether you are new to aviation or are rusty after a brief or long time away from flying, this discussion is for you.
Todd and John walk through the steps and how to have a safety mindset from day one.
How to find the right instructor
Having an honest health conversation with your doctor
Getting started
Approaches to preflight inspections and checklists
Making your logbook an essential reference.
Listen for tips that will help you fl...
2022-05-0439 min
Flight Safety DetectivesA Week of Fatal CrashesEpisode 115
Greg Feith flies solo as he presents a roundup of recent fatal air crashes. The focus is on three accidents now under investigation that add to the escalation of fatal crashes this year.
Hear preliminary details related to the crashes that involved a Cessna 340 in Georgia, a Cessna 337 in California, and a Diamond DA40. Greg surfaces the issues that could make these accidents important lessons for all pilots.
With popular flying season starting, Greg asks every pilot to ask themselves “Am I ready?” before getting into the cockpit. He makes the point that...
2022-04-2730 min
Flight Safety DetectivesBuilding the Backstory of Air CrashesEpisode 114
This episode is about facts and their impact on the work of air crash investigators. Building a complete backstory with facts leads to an effective investigation.
Two recent accidents have few facts to work with. The available facts related to the 737 Max continue to be swept aside in favor of more headline-grabbing narratives.
John and Greg continue their effort to keep the focus on facts, conditions and circumstances to get to the real story of air crashes. These elements that lead to safety improvements.
They begin with a Cessna TU206...
2022-04-2053 min
Flight Safety DetectivesThe Real Story with BoeingEpisode 113
John, Greg and special guest Geoffrey Thomas offer the facts about Boeing and the 737 Max. They call out the sensationalism of the Netflix documentary “Downfall” and dig into facts that offer a more true picture of the airline and issues that led to the Lion Air and Ethiopian crashes.
Geoff is a world-renowned multi-award-winning writer, author, and commentator and editor-in-chief at AirlineRatings.com. He is an outspoken no-nonsense but fair critic of many aspects of airline management, technological issues related to aviation, and those related to safety and the environment.
Facts aren’t sexy...
2022-04-1358 min
Flight Safety DetectivesDetails About China Eastern Plane Crash and a Challenge for MechanicsEpisode 112
Greg and John dive into the latest details emerging about the China Eastern Flight 5735 crash on March 21. They also cover the backstory and impact of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition coming April 25-28.
The Chinese Government has allowed the NTSB to assist as technical advisors in investigating the China Eastern crash. Greg and John talk about what that means for getting to the facts.
They share insights from previous accidents with similar themes to this crash, including the documented repair of a previous tail strike on the aircraft and incidences of deliberate crashes.
2022-04-0642 min
Flight Safety DetectivesDeadly Helicopter Crash and Flight Instructor IssuesEpisode 111
A recent helicopter crash in Texas took the lives of a student pilot and a flight instructor. Helicopter fleets are growing – are there enough highly qualified flight instructors to keep pace with the demand?
Greg, John and Todd look at the initial information about this tragedy. They explore known safety issues with Robinson 44 helicopters. The tail boom appears to have been cut by the main rotor blade, a topic of a Robinson safety bulletin.
Citing data that reflects a surge in helicopter manufacturing, they wonder if there are enough flight instructors to tr...
2022-03-3151 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCompton Crash Is a Lesson in What Not to DoEpisode 110
The ultimate tragedy of a runway crash at the Compton airport is that is never should have happened. For Greg, Todd and John, it’s a textbook example of what not do to as a pilot.
They explore the many bad decisions made by the pilot of a vintage T28 Warbird that landed on top of a Cessna 152.
As they review the information in the NTSB docket about the accident, Greg concludes, “there was no logic in decision making and operational discipline.”
Get the full analysis of what went wrong. The em...
2022-03-2348 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFatal Crash Severs Cessna WingEpisode 109
The investigation is ongoing related to a Dec 2021 fatal crash involving a Cessna 208B and a powered glider. Both pilots were fatally injured in the accident that appears to have happened when the glider was higher than permitted altitude. The impact separated the plane’s right wing.
The Cessna was operated as a Part 135 cargo flight, and the powered paraglider was operated as a Part 103 personal flight. Greg says all indicators were that the Cessna pilot was doing routine cruise altitude operations and never saw the motor glider.
Greg, John and Todd ex...
2022-03-1726 min
Flight Safety DetectivesMalaysian Flight 370 Crash Update Plus War Impacts Aviation SafetyEpisode 108
Efforts continue to get to the bottom of the crash of MH 370. Eight years after the crash, John and Todd are in touch with the people who are working to find the wreckage and uncover the facts.
John shares the latest developments from a group in Australia advocating to move the search area to the south. Hear the evidence that points to the crash being a murder/suicide event.
Sanctions on Russian commercial aircraft and planes operated by Russian interests are in the news. Companies that provide support are cutting ties. Aircraft...
2022-03-1134 min
Flight Safety DetectivesUkraine Crisis and Other Aviation Threats, Thumbs Down for DownfallAviation is in the news and the headlines are tragic. The Ukraine crisis poses new risks for commercial aviation safety. Fatal general aviation accidents are on the rise. Netflix’s “Downfall – the Case Against Boeing” chooses emotion over facts. The FAA administrator’s sudden resignation adds to the turmoil.
Greg, John and Todd share their insights into these and other current events. They recommit to the mission of improving aviation safety at all levels. They invite listeners to suggest topics.
“We could to this show every day and not keep up with events. But we will keep sh...
2022-03-0236 min
Flight Safety DetectivesCirrus Air Crash on Final ApproachEpisode 106
Dissecting the fatal crash of a Cirrus SR20 near Hobby Airport in Texas. This accident highlights the value of careful preflight planning.
“Solid preflight planning leaves nothing to chance, and that would have made a difference here,” says John Goglia.
While the pilot had experience with the aircraft, her experience landing at a high traffic airports is less clear. John and Greg wonder if another pilot in the cockpit or a plan to land at a less constrained airport could have made a difference.
Other factors covered include medication found in t...
2022-02-2332 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFrontier-Spirit Merger Creating One Gigantic Bad Airline?Episode 105
Greg and John are all over the news reports of the proposed merger of Frontier and Spirit airlines. Both companies have low customer satisfaction ratings. Will the combination create a larger poor performing airline or lead to safety improvements?
The conversation covers the back stories of several past commercial airline mergers. They share inside knowledge of issues and crashes that happened during and soon after mergers. As employees adjust to new procedures and operations, attention can be taken away from safety.
The episode also covers a disturbing trend in general aviation. Pilots...
2022-02-1631 min
Flight Safety DetectivesChasing the Wrong Safety ProblemsEpisode 104
The NTSB final report related to a Cessna 172 crash has Greg, John and Todd concluding that pilots and mechanics are being led to focus on the wrong safety issues. Chasing the wrong issues is stalling advances in aviation safety.
This accident is cited as the basis for a NTSB safety recommendation to add active carbon monoxide detectors to all general aviation aircraft. However, the accident details tell a completely different safety story.
“Once again, the NTSB has stopped their investigation at the hangar door,” says John. “They are not doing the in-depth analys...
2022-02-0938 min
Flight Safety DetectivesUnited Aviate Academy – Better or Worse than College Programs?Episode 103
United Airlines just launched its own flight school. Does United Aviate Academy offer a better option for would-be pilots than college aviation programs?
Greg, John and Todd share first impressions. The program appears to be more expensive than other ways of earning pilot credentials and stops short of ATP certification.
They talk about why the program may be better or worse than college programs and private flight schools.
The new road rage? The Flight Safety Detectives also talk about the continued incidents of cabin disruptions caused by passengers who refuse...
2022-02-0231 min
Flight Safety DetectivesWellstone Crash Report Misses Important Safety FindingsEpisode 102
Even high-profile crashes can result in NTSB reports that miss important safety takeaways. The focus of this episode is the October 2002 crash that killed Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others. John, Greg, Todd and guest Dick Healing talk about facts that played a much greater role in the accident than the listed probable cause.
“There is no question that contributing factors were poor practices by the operator,” Healing says.
The charter operator’s organizational deficiencies set this flight up for failure before takeoff.
Pairing of two pilots with questionable skills
Lack of equ...
2022-01-2641 min
Flight Safety DetectivesLast US Airline Drops College Education Requirement for PilotsEpisode 101
Greg, John and Todd have a lively conversation triggered by the recent announcement from Delta Airlines that pilots no longer need a college education. Will this impact aviation safety?
“I know a lot of pilots that know aviation but don’t understand aviation,” says Greg. He adds that investigating the results of their poor decisions keeps him busy as a safety investigator.
The question at the center of the debate is what is needed to equip pilots to make the decisions and have the maturity that are needed for success. Is a colleg...
2022-01-1936 min
Flight Safety Detectives100 Episodes and Going StrongEpisode 100
Episode 100 looks ahead to what’s next for Flight Safety Detectives. There’s a fresh new look and new segments to educate and entertain while doing the serious work of promoting aviation safety.
Hear John and Greg talk about their plans for 2022. They offer updates on recent major accidents covered in earlier episodes:
Pratt & Whitney engine failure investigation, Episode 67
TransAir 810 crash, Episode 78
Get a preview of an upcoming episode about the Citation accident involving active winglets that is now under the NTSB reconsideration of probable cause process. John and Greg have insider insi...
2022-01-1334 min
Flight Safety DetectivesTis the Season for Aviation AccidentsEpisode 99
Winter weather and questionable piloting have led to another series of aviation accidents. Greg and John look at the initial information and stress the importance of not flying beyond your skills and knowledge.
One fatal crash took the life of their good friend Charlie Schneider, CEO of MYGOFLIGHT. They share the known details that led to the crash of his Cirrus SR22. They reflect on his dedication to general aviation and general aviation safety.
The NTSB has released the final report of the crash of a Beech B60 Duke. Greg finds that...
2021-12-2352 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFatal Aircraft Accidents Raise Safety Questions – Episode 98This episode opens with a recap of the recent ceremony where John received the National Aeronautic Association Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award. The event recognized his many contributions to aviation.
John, Greg and Todd review four recent aircraft accidents – three general aviation and one commercial. They offer initial analysis and the safety questions that should be answered during the investigation process.
A Bonanza crash in California led to four fatalities. Weather appears to be a factor in this crash that happened just 16 seconds after takeoff. Local reports are that weather conditions changed rapidly in the ar...
2021-12-1648 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFlight Safety Tips for General Aviation this Holiday SeasonEpisode 97
A number of accidents happened Thanksgiving weekend, a trend that needs to be changed. Greg and John offer several flight safety tips for general aviation pilots planning holiday travel.
Listen to make sure you’re planning for the safest trip possible. John and Greg cover the importance of preflight planning, factoring in weather en route, dealing with icing conditions and more.
The Flight Safety detectives also share listener emails and tease plans for 2022. They invite more listener input to make the show a valuable resource for everyone interested in aviation safety.
...
2021-12-0839 min
Flight Safety DetectivesSafety Training Needs a RetoolEpisode 96
Safety training for the aviation community isn’t effective and needs an overhaul. Greg and John drive home this point by talking about the high rate of fatal accidents in November. Particular focus is on the accident that killed Blue Origin crew member Glen de Vries.
“We’re not reaching pilots and the aviation community with effective safety training,” John says. Greg adds that people don’t read manuals or safety material available from the FAA and NTSB.
Recent accidents involve a range of general aviation planes. Most wreckage is removed and stored for...
2021-12-0145 min
Flight Safety DetectivesIcing Issues General Aviation Pilots Need to KnowEpisode 95
Several accidents caused by icing reveal safety information that pilots need to know. As we head into a time when icing can be common, John, Greg and Todd want to be sure everyone avoids the mistakes other pilots have made.
“Icing has greater impact on general aviation aircraft than commercial planes. It is important to be prepared for icing incidents,” Greg says.
In this episode the Flight Safety Detectives focus on one general aviation icing event and relate it to lessons learned from other accidents involving icing. The takeaways benefit all pilots. They...
2021-11-2439 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFascinating Back Stories of a Life in AviationEpisode 94
The conversation continues with Hoot Gibson. Gibson’s life in aviation started growing up and took him to the cockpit of Navy fighters, NASA space shuttles and many test and race aircraft.
Hoot, John, Greg and Todd cover the many unique experiences of Gibson’s career. His experiences and lessons learned offer every pilot key takeaways.
Hear Hoot narrate the experience of his five shuttle missions, including the handshake that ended the Cold War. Gibson is also known as the ambassador of model aviation and talks about the benefits of working with mode...
2021-11-1755 min
Flight Safety DetectivesSpace Safety Insights with Hall of Fame Astronaut Hoot GibsonEpisode 93
Hoot Gibson is the special guest for this discussion of space safety lessons that benefit all aspects of aviation. Gibson is a five-time space shuttle crew member and a professional pilot. He shares his experiences to offer insights into the importance of scrutinizing even the smallest issues and the value of training in preparing for flights of all kinds.
Hoot, John, Greg and Todd discuss the commercial space program, including Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX. While NASA has looked closely at SpaceX before using it to transport astronauts, less is known about the...
2021-11-1053 min
Flight Safety DetectivesOhio Accident Report Weak on Facts – Episode 92Greg, John and Todd take a look at the NTSB report of a 2019 crash in Auburn Township, Ohio. They question the conclusion that the cause was spatial disorientation. Overall, the report lacks information to benefit air safety.
They explore additional factors worthy of more detail than is found in the report:
“Getthereitis” despite poor weather
Pilot’s heart health
Poor decision making
Aircraft maintenance history
They conclude that NTSB report does not represent the results of a thorough and methodical investigation. Many questions are left unexplored. The answers may offer important information related to air safety...
2021-11-0351 min
Flight Safety DetectivesNBAA Spotlights Avionics, Automations and TechnologyEpisode 91
Greg and John share takeaways from the recent National Business Aviation Association annual convention in Las Vegas. While there, they offered maintenance personnel a training session on the accident investigation process and the role they should play.
The convention has Greg and John focused on the future of avionics, automations and other technology in aviation. Changes are coming, for better or worse. Automations are increasing, potentially loosening the focus on the importance of pilot training and knowledge. That comes with potential risk to aviation safety.
They talk about the latest machines and...
2021-10-2744 min
Flight Safety DetectivesTwo Crashes Show Importance of Preflight InspectionsEpisode 90
Don’t let an inadequate preflight inspection come back to haunt you. Simple issues can lead to serious accidents for general aviation pilots. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Jason Lukasik look at two accidents to show how preflight inspections can avoid crashes, injury and death.
A Piper Seneca crash was attributed to missing cotter pins on the landing gear. Photos shows even more visual evidence of maintenance issues that could have been caught before the plane took off.
A Cessna 172 accident appears to be the result of the fuel selector handle being re...
2021-10-2039 min
Flight Safety DetectivesEngine Oil Analysis Data Tells a Flight Safety StoryEpisode 89
A Cessna 177RG Cardinal RG crash in September 2021 appears to be the result of poor maintenance and pilot error. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Jason Lukasik dive into key elements of the NTSB preliminary report. The oil analysis alone gives important insight into chronic engine maintenance issues that likely led to the crash.
The pilot was at Lake Havasu to get fuel for a flight to Reno. The pilot also performed maintenance there to replace the bushings on the nosewheel because he was experiencing a vibration on takeoff and landing.
Witnesses observed...
2021-10-1349 min
Flight Safety DetectivesFresh Analysis of Deadly Crash Involving Travis BarkerEpisode 88
The Flight Safety Detectives offer a fresh analysis of the 2008 crash of a Lear Model 60 in Columbia, South Carolina. Travis Barker was one of two passengers who survived the crash that killed the flight crew and two passengers.
Crew performance issues started long before the aircraft started takeoff. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis share a minute-by-minute analysis. They uncover issues with operations, briefing inadequacies and crew actions.
They dissect known issues with the tires used on the aircraft. John shares his maintenance expertise to provide insight into pressure leak down...
2021-10-061h 42
Flight Safety DetectivesFresh Analysis of Deadly Crash Involving Travis BarkerEpisode 88
The Flight Safety Detectives offer a fresh analysis of the 2008 crash of a Lear Model 60 in Columbia, South Carolina. Travis Barker was one of two passengers who survived the crash that killed the flight crew and two passengers.
Crew performance issues started long before the aircraft started takeoff. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis share a minute-by-minute analysis. They uncover issues with operations, briefing inadequacies and crew actions.
They dissect known issues with the tires used on the aircraft. John shares his maintenance expertise to provide insight into pressure leak down...
2021-10-061h 42
Flight Safety DetectivesAccident or Crash?Episode 87
Several recent airplane crashes appear to be the result of rusty pilots not following pre-flight checklists and best practices. John, Greg and Todd talk about the difference between accidents that are caused by some anomaly and crashes that result from intentional or negligent actions.
Initial information indicates that 2021 is rife with crashes. This episode examines emerging trends. They discuss initial information and investigative questions raised by several recent incidents.
John is congratulated for being named as a 2021 recipient of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award...
2021-09-3056 min
Flight Safety DetectivesDigging into Cessna 421 Crash Reveals Missed Safety IssuesEpisode 86
The NTSB has finished the investigation into a 2011 crash of a Cessna 421 but the Flight Safety Detectives have issues with the listed probable cause. Further investigation reveals a completely different root cause. Greg, John and Todd go through the details to reveal important aviation safety findings.
While the NTSB cited the failure of right engine cam gears, missed was evidence that the engine sustained a lightning strike. “The NTSB stopped at the obvious and didn’t dig deeper,” Greg notes.
They dissect the flight, the issues presented handling a fully loaded plane with o...
2021-09-221h 29
Flight Safety DetectivesCape Air Crash Has Takeaways for All PilotsEpisode 85
The pilot and six passengers were injured when a Cape Air Cessna 402 crashed just past the runway of Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC) in Massachusetts on Sept 9. Information is just starting to be collected but Greg, John and Todd already see key takeaways to benefit every pilot.
The NTSB has launched an investigation. Questions to look at include the role of weather – did water on the runway impact an attempted landing? What does Flight Radar 24 and Flight Aware data offer and is the fidelity good enough to draw any conclusions? The flight was delayed at ta...
2021-09-1548 min
Flight Safety DetectivesIgnoring Service Bulletins and ADs Can Lead to TragedyEpisode 84
Ignore that seemingly mundane safety bulletin at your own peril. John, Greg and guest Jason Lukasik, president of JL2 Aviation Consultants and former FAA inspector, talk about the importance of knowing and acting on all levels of service instructions.
Three levels of service instructions are routinely issued for aircraft. Service letters are generally informational. Service Bulletins ask for a higher level of attention and action. Airworthiness Directives indicate a serious safety issue. John, Greg and Jason argue that each is worthy of attention because they all improve aircraft safety.
They share first-hand...
2021-09-1057 min
Flight Safety DetectivesDrone Pilots Under SurveillanceEpisode 83
Guest Jonathan Rupprecht of Rupprecht Law joins John and Todd for a discussion of a lawsuit related to recent FAA rulemaking involving drones. The new rule effectively puts drone pilots under surveillance and create significant limits on use.
Jonathan discusses his work with Tyler Brennan and RaceDayQuads to petition the FAA to reconsider the remote ID rule. The lawsuit is seeking to strike down the drone remote identification regulations as illegal.
The rule requires, among other things, that a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received...
2021-09-011h 07
Flight Safety DetectivesChain of Events Leads to Tragic LAX Runway AccidentEpisode 82
USAir Flight 1493, a Boeing 737-300, collided with SkyWest Flight 5569, a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner turboprop aircraft, upon landing at Los Angeles International Airport in Feb.1991. John led the machinist’s union investigation and discusses the chain of events that led to this accident.
The air traffic local controller was distracted by a series of abnormalities when Flight 1493 was on final approach. The SkyWest flight was told to taxi into takeoff position while the USAir flight was landing on the same runway. It was crushed under the 737.
The exit at the front of the Bo...
2021-08-251h 13
Flight Safety DetectivesInside the Investigation of Korean Air Flight 801Episode 81
Greg was the investigator in charge of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation of Korean Air Flight 801. He shares backstories not in the report to add to understanding of the accident and aftermath.
Flight 801 crashed on August 6, 1997, killing 229of the 254 people aboard. The aircraft crashed on Nimitz Hill in Guam while on approach to the airport.The NTSB final report cites poor communication between the flight crew as probable cause for the air crash, along with the captain's poor decision-making.
Learn more about:
Delays in response to the accident scene
Allowing...
2021-08-181h 21
Flight Safety DetectivesEAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 RecapEpisode 80
Oshkosh 2021 was an adventure! More than 600,000 people and 10,000 planes were onsite. Greg and John took it all in and share the highlights.
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital was a special exhibit. John had worked on the plane when it was in service for an airline. The Flying Eye Hospital is a state-of-the-art teaching facility complete with operating room, classroom and recovery room. Part of the innovation is a modular interior.
Several unique restored planes were on display. Greg talks about the plane from the 1950s Sky King television show. He also shares...
2021-08-111h 05
Flight Safety DetectivesTWA Flight 514 Lasting Impact on Aviation SafetyEpisode 79
TWA Flight 514 crashed into Mount Weather in Virginia in 1974 and changed aviation safety forever. This accident led to the creation of the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).
The TWA 727 crash was due in part to ambiguous information provided to the crew. As a result of the accident, the FAA and NASA created ASRS. The ASRS lets aviation system users contribute lessons and safety issues. Information is used to resolve aviation system issues.
Keys to the success of the program include its voluntary nature, focus on safety, and immunity from sanctions for self-reported...
2021-07-211h 05
Flight Safety DetectivesFlight 810 Questions Lead to QuestionsEpisode 78
This conversation covers emerging information about Transair Flight 810. The plane crashed in the ocean on July 2 shortly after takeoff from Honolulu.
John, Greg and Todd raise a series of questions important to the investigation:
Air traffic control handling of the incident
Flight path after the engine failure
Engine history and maintenance
Safety performance of cockpit seats and harness
They stress that there are safety benefits to learn from every crash, even when an older airplane is involved. As information is released, questions will likely lead to more questions to answer.
...
2021-07-141h 04
Flight Safety DetectivesIs a Rise in Aircraft Accidents a COVID Legacy?Episode 77
The number of serious aircraft accidents is on the upswing. Greg, John and Todd talk about the accumulating numbers and wonder if COVID shutdowns have led to rusty pilot skills.
The July 2 accident in Hawaii also leads to reflection on the July 2, 1994 crash of USAir Flight 1016. Greg and John were both involved. They offer insight to what investigators may already be doing.
They also cover the release of the government UAP report. The U.S. government has officially acknowledged that UAPs represent a threat to aviation safety and national security. The government...
2021-07-071h 05
Flight Safety Detectives737 Crash in HawaiiEpisode 76
Greg and John discuss breaking news of a 737 crash in Hawaii on July 2.
A Boeing 737 cargo plane crashed off the coast of Hawaii after experiencing engine trouble. The aircraft departed Honolulu airport but went down in the water soon after taking off. The Coast Guard rescued both pilots from the sea.
The pilot reported one engine out and second very hot. John and Greg say the preliminary information calls for a look at the fuel. Was the plane fueled up improperly?
The plane is in the ocean, which will present...
2021-07-0312 min
Flight Safety DetectivesUAPs in the NewsEpisode 75
This episode focuses on the US Navy report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Greg, John and Todd talk about the issues covered in the report from the perspective of flight safety.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued the Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena on June 25. The Navy videos confirmed to be authentic by the US government are part of the discussion.
They also talk about UAP related data gathered via the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) confidential safety reporting system operated by NASA on behalf of FAA. The focus...
2021-07-011h 04
Flight Safety DetectivesAlarming Passenger Behavior Threatens Flight SafetyEpisode 74
Todd Curtis of airsafe.com joins John and Greg for a look at the alarming rise in unruly passenger behavior on flights. Fistfights, attempts to open cabin doors and more are disrupting flights.
They outline the federal rules and regulations in play as well as airline policies to attempt to keep everyone on board safe. Offenders are prosecuted in federal courts and risk federal prison.
Advice for passengers who encounter unruly behavior on board:
Try to diffuse the situation
Help flight crews by encouraging fellow passengers to follow the rules
Document...
2021-06-231h 01
Flight Safety DetectivesInspector General Report Signals Dangerous Air Safety ComplacencyEpisode 17
The Department of Transportation’s Inspector General’s office recently issued a scathing report about failures in Southwest Airlines’ safety practices and culture. The report also criticizes the Federal Aviation Administration’s inspectors and leaders assigned to monitor Southwest for lax and ineffective safety oversight of the airline.
John and Greg discuss the issues found at Southwest, and broaden the discussion to US air safety practices in general. Air safety has been so good for so long -- are we getting dangerously complacent?
John and Greg discuss recent and historical incidents and lay out the...
2020-02-2547 min
Flight Safety DetectivesAsking the Hard Questions at Boeing and Looking at Recent General Aviation CrashesEpisode 12
John and Greg share observations from their recent visit to Boeing headquarters. During executive briefings they asked the same tough questions they pose in their podcasts, sometimes stumping the experts.
They share how the visit validated the observations they have shared about the LionAir and Ethiopian Airline crashes. They also found more details that are important to finding the answers that will lead to increased air safety.
This episode also digs into two Thanksgiving weekend general aviation crashes. John and Greg walk you through their initial observations and provide a detailed walk-through of...
2020-01-0837 min