Flight Safety Detectives

Jim Croce died in a plane crash more than 50 years ago. Determining what caused the 1973 crash is challenging. This episode also covers an event where no one was flying a Lufthansa plane.The only surviving document from the plane crash that killed Jim Croce is less than a page long, leaving many questions unanswered. The investigation was likely carried out by an investigator who was outside of NTSB headquarters. At that time, the records for most accident investigations were not sent to headquarters.Jim Croce was traveling late at night from Louisiana to Texas. For reasons that are not explained, the aircraft hit a tree off the end of the runway. It was destroyed in the subsequent fire. While the report mentions the weather conditions and the pilot's preexisting heart condition, it does not answer many questions, such as whether the plane was overloaded or even the position of the tree relative to the runway.In a 2024 incident involving Lufthansa, the captain stepped out of the cockpit and the first officer lost consciousness. For 10 minutes, no one was flying the plane!The event did not result in an accident, although it was a close call. Fortunately, the first officer recovered enough to open the cockpit door, and the flight continued without incident. John Goglia and Todd Curtis agree that always having a second person in the cockpit is a good practice. The regulations in Europe, where Lufthansa is based, do not require a second person. Although these two events are very different, like many accidents and incidents, each provides learning opportunities. Aviation is a learning adventure! Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Recent air traffic control issues at Newark Liberty Airport and the recent dismissal of an NTSB board member signal significant aviation safety issues in the US.Since early May, Newark Airport has experienced significant flight disruptions due to radar outages and shortages of air traffic controllers. The current FAA administrator blames the previous administration for these problems. What's the truth?These issues have been ongoing for more than a decade for many reasons. Delayed infrastructure improvementsAging air traffic controller workforceIncreased demand for flight operations at NewarkAdd to this that there aren't enough trained air traffic controllers. A combination of retirements, COVID hiring freezes, and flawed hiring policy changes have limited the number of potential new controllers.John Goglia and Todd Curtis discuss possible air traffic controller mental health issues that may arise from a combination of stress from long hours and high workload. Negative news coverage from both traditional and online media compounds the situation.NTSB board member Alvin Brown was removed without explanation in May. Brown is a former mayor of Jacksonville, Florida. He was a board member since March 2024 and vice chair since December 2024. This is the first time a Board member had been removed in such a fashion. Todd and John speculate that Brown was dismissed because of his close association with the Democratic Party. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A 200-pound chunk of ice came crashing through the roof of a house in February. What was the source?Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia analyze an unusual event involving a large chunk of ice from the sky. The ice fell out of a clear sky and crashed through the metal roof of a home in Florida. After an investigation, the FAA found no evidence that a plane was the source of the ice. Chemical analysis showed that the ice was not contaminated with chemicals that may have come from an airplane's lavatory.Twelve to 15 ice fall events occur annually. Since 2000, 78 of these events had no identified origin.Was it an icy meteorite? Space debris? Someone in the local area launching it with a catapult? The detectives explore these and other possibilities. This event fits into the category of a UAP, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, that is possibly from unknown or unrecognized natural phenomena.Bonus: Hear Greg's review of the Mark Wahlberg movie "Flight Risk." Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Helicopters and offshore oil platform operations can be a deadly combination. John Goglia and Todd Curtis discuss two accidents to illustrate aviation safety concerns.In a 2010 accident discussed, maintenance and managerial failures resulted in minor damage and no injuries because of the pilot's skill. Another is a fatal accident that killed all on board due to the pilot not following the helicopter operator's standard procedures for landing and taking off.In the 2010 accident there were multiple missed inspections by mechanics and pilots over several days, including the accident flight. The poor maintenance effort led to system malfunctions that prevented the pilot from fully controlling the helicopter, forcing the pilot to make a running landing at about 45 knots.In a 2022 accident, the pilot landed away from the center of the helideck and the rear of the right skid was over the edge of the helipad and adjacent to a raised perimeter light. When the pilot took off, the right skid contacted a perimeter light, causing the helicopter to roll sharply to the right. The helicopter struck the helideck, rolled off the oil rig, and sank. The pilot has a documented history of not following takeoff and landing procedures on most of his flights to and from oil rigs. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A pilot with many hours of experience and an instructor rating died following the bad decision to fly his newly purchased airplane without first understanding how the aircraft systems operate. He also did not review the logbooks or have the plane looked over after 10 years sitting idle.The pilot had purchased a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche. Key facts in the NTSB report and public docket show that the pilot did not have a pre-buy inspection, was not familiar with the aircraft's systems, and ignored the advice of his friend and former CFI to not fly.The pilot knew about a landing gear indication light problem before takeoff. He proceeded without resolving it or reviewing the appropriate emergency procedures for operating the landing gear. The plane stalled and crashed while he tried to troubleshoot the issue in flight.In this analysis with John Goglia and Todd Curtis, Greg Feith shares that he is currently in the process of buying a used airplane. Like the accident pilot, the aircraft has not flown in several years. Unlike the accident pilot, he is working closely with an experienced mechanic to make the aircraft airworthy and to examine all systems on the aircraft.Greg is frustrated with the quality of the decisions made by the pilot before and during the flight. He's further critical of the NTSB's analysis of this accident. The probable cause statement focuses on a stall that happened at the end of the flight rather than all the pilot actions before and during the flight.“[The NTSB probably cause statement is] so vanilla. It is such a cop-out,” Greg says.This accident is a result of poor aeronautical decision-making by the pilot and the actions of others around the pilot who failed to assert proper safety practices. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

An experienced pilot with multiple ratings lost control of his Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft and crashed after a missed approach. Greg Feith, Todd Curtis and John Goglia look at the facts surrounding this incident that killed six.ADS-B information broadcast by the plane shows a missed approach followed by an unusual second attempt. Rather than flying the published missed approach, air traffic controllers were directing the pilot to take a series of right turns for a second approach. The pilot was taking several members of his family to a holiday celebration, so the pilot may have chosen to fly a non-standard missed approach because it would take less time than the published approach.Greg shares firsthand experience and knowledge of the performance of MU-2 aircraft. Several years ago, he evaluated MU-2 models for safety issues and found that many previous accidents in these models were due to issues with the pilot, not the aircraft.This aircraft was being flown by a single pilot in IFR conditions. Flying single-pilot IFR in actual IFR conditions is a challenge for any pilot under normal circumstances. Temperatures were just above freezing at neighboring airports and there was snow in the area at the time of the crash. Icing and the presence of five passengers and their baggage may have degraded the aircraft's performance.The pilot's familiarity with the destination may be a factor. A review of flight records showed this was the first time the aircraft had flown to this airport in the previous six months. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss a fatal air tour helicopter crash near New York City that killed all six people on board, including a family of five from Spain. They examine several witness videos plus ADS-S data in their analysis.The crash happened on April 10, 2025, three days before this episode was recorded. The flight was apparently routine until the helicopter suddenly rotated and crashed. Pieces of the aircraft, including the tail boom and the rotor blades, separated from the aircraft before it crashed into the Hudson River.Air tour operators are allowed to operate flights under Part 91 regulations, although the leasing company operated under Part 135 regulations that have a higher standard for inspections and maintenance. The aircraft was over 20 years old and leased from a company in Louisiana. The NTSB will likely interview anyone from the two companies involved with maintaining the aircraft.Given the circumstances of the crash, maintenance issues may have caused the accident. In addition to live lives lost, leading to concerns about the mental health effects this may have on those who maintained the helicopter. John has experienced incidents where maintainers may have harmed themselves because of their role in maintenance-related accidents. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Inflight icing may have been a factor in the recent fatal crash of a TBM 700. Relying on publicly available ADS-B data and video from a nearby home, Todd Curtis, John Goglia, and Greg Feith discuss icing and other issues that may have affected the pilot and the aircraft.The TBM 700, a single-engine turboprop aircraft, crashed outside of Minneapolis. The aircraft was expected to land at the Anoka County–Blaine Airport. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, had departed from Naples, Florida, earlier that day and spent about 36 minutes on the ground at Des Moines, Iowa, before heading to the Minneapolis area. The length of the flight day may have affected the pilot as well as the quality of the information the pilot had about weather conditions.The discussion analyzes the flight's ADS-B data from the last leg of the flight, which shows that the aircraft was in a controlled descent heading for the intended runway. The aircraft entered a shallow left turn before departing from controlled flight and entering a high-angle descent before crashing into a nearby home. The high pilot workload during this phase of flight, the low visibility, and possible pilot fatigue or other physical conditions may have led to the pilot losing awareness of his air speed. Greg compares this event to the 1994 icing-related crash of an ATR 72 in Indiana and the SilkAir crash in Indonesia in 1997. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The preliminary accident report on the February crash of the Endeavor Air CRJ-900 in Toronto, Canada has just been released. John Goglia, Todd Curtis and Greg Feith examine the facts provided as well as the gaps in information that still exist.The reported descent rate at touchdown was very close to the descent rate the detectives estimated based on a screen grab taken from a witness video. While confirming some observations, the report is missing key information including the conversations on the cockpit voice recorder.About a month after the Toronto crash, another Endeavor CRJ-900 had a wingtip strike in similar wind conditions at LaGuardia airport. The similarities between the Toronto and LaGuardia incidents may direct investigators to look at the airline's training.The preliminary report covers key aspects of the crew's training and experience. The first officer was the pilot flying the flight and had fewer than 1,500 total flight hours. In the 30 days prior to the accident, the first officer had about 10 times as many flight hours as the captain.The report does detail the captain's role in the Toronto crash. Was he performing duties typical of the non-flying pilot or coaching the first officer? Was he prepared to take control of the aircraft? Unlike the NTSB, the Canadian TSB may only publish a summary of the cockpit voice recorder conversations and not the full transcript. The person who recorded a video of the crash sequence from an aircraft close to the crash scene should submit that video to the TSB for use in the investigation. The video might help the investigation. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The investigation of a 2023 Beechcraft Bonanza in Brazil led to an unusual recommendation. The Brazilian authorities find that an engine trend monitoring program could have prevented the accident.In this event, the pilot made a successful off-field landing after the engine failed. The investigation found that the failure was due to a leak in the mechanical pump and fuel controller.The aircraft was on a relatively long flight in Brazil when the pilot diverted to an airport near his intended destination. The investigation found that the engine was operated beyond the manufacturer's suggested time between overhauls, but that this did not violate regulations in Brazil.Greg Feith discusses his plan to buy a new airplane and why he is planning to include a monitoring program for his aircraft. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Travel journalist Peter Greenberg joins Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia for a wide-ranging look at current aviation topics. Peter is a longtime safety advocate and host of the PBS series "The Travel Detective.”Hear as these four experts cover the hottest topics in aviation safety. Ironically, the U.S. has just marked the 30 safest years since commercial aviation began. Yet, recent incidents reported make aviation seem less safe than ever.Much of what has changed is the impact of citizen journalists. Widespread access to recording devices and social media allows everyone to influence public perception of safety in aviation by increasing the visibility of incidents and accidents.Get an inside look at the challenges faced by journalists like Peter, who balances the constraints of news production with the need to address public concerns about aviation risks. He also shares the role he plays in educating colleagues and the public about aviation, emphasizing the importance of context and factual accuracy in reporting.They examine the effectiveness of the FAA in maintaining safety standards and in updating regulations. Technological advances in aviation are outpacing regulatory frameworks, creating gaps in safety protocols for emerging technologies such as autonomous cargo drones and small vertical takeoff and landing passenger aircraft.Hear predictions for what's next in aviation technology and safety, including challenges such as managing increased air traffic and integrating unmanned aerial vehicles into crowded airspaces. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

An examination of the preliminary NTSB report of a February 10, 2025 crash of a Learjet 35 that killed the pilot. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia examine the issues with the landing gear that caused the accident.The flight crew was conducting a normal approach and was apparently unaware that the left main landing gear had failed. Witness photos taken during the approach showed that the left main landing gear was twisted almost 180 degrees from its normal position.About eight months before the accident in Scottsdale, the aircraft had an incident in Oklahoma where the left main landing gear sustained damage. Although the NTSB found that a hard landing inspection was performed after the incident, there was no mention of what specific inspections were done. Photos show that the left main landing gear was not properly lubricated. John discussed how investigations often do not look deeply into the causes of maintenance issues, often stopping their investigation at the maintenance hangar door. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A look at several recent high-profile aviation accidents. Although flying is much less risky than decades ago, crashes change the public's opinion about aviation safety. It now feels less safe to fly.The February 17 crash in Toronto of an Endeavor Airlines CRJ-900 operating as a Delta Air Lines regional flight gets particular emphasis. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith and John Goglia compare the Toronto crash to three other crashes where the wings broke off, the aircraft ended up inverted, and there was a post-crash fire. The 1997 crash of a FedEx MD11 at Newark Airport is one similar event. John was the NTSB board member leading the on-site investigation.The detectives discuss the known evidence and what is expected to be uncovered during the investigation. The crash is being investigated in Canada, so the release of public information is expected to be somewhat limited.Witnesses both inside and outside the accident aircraft published videos shortly after the accident. These make it possible to estimate the aircraft's speed before landing and average descent rate as well as see the initial breakup of the aircraft.The videos also offer a case study of evacuation practices and issues. While the videos provide valuable insights for investigators, the passengers who took videos during the evacuation jeopardized safety.Hear why the evacuation slides did not deploy. The detectives share the smart decisions made by the flight crew to avoid issues that happened in the Miracle on the Hudson event.The detectives separate fact from fiction in the media commentary about the Toronto accident. Some experts are just plain wrong. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The pilot of the drone that damaged a firefighting aircraft has pled guilty to causing the damage that grounded the Candian SuperScooper for several days. The event was detailed in Episode 253.The pilot, a successful video game developer, paid over $65,000 to repair the aircraft, will reimburse the government Quebec for additional costs, and faces up to a year in prison. In the words of the Department of Justice, the pilot "recklessly flew an aircraft into airspace where first responders were risking their lives in an attempt to protect lives and property."The pilot did more than damage the plane. He violated aviation safety practices. The pilot should have known that what he was doing was dangerous.Flying a drone into an area where firefighters and firefighting aircraft were dealing with an emergency Flying the aircraft out of his visual line of sight, violating one of the basic regulations for flying a small drone John Goglia and Todd Curtis discuss the risks related to drone flights. They offer advice for all drone pilots. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The midair collision between an airliner and a military helicopter in Washington D.C. has led to actions that may hinder aviation safety and national security. And, it has highlighted issues caused by the current air traffic control system as well as vacant leadership positions at the FAA. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis talk about the aviation safety issues surrounding the tragic air crash and the impact of political reactions. They cover the information released by investigators. Knee-jerk reactions from authorities like halting certain flight operations, leadership gaps in the FAA, and politicians, including President Trump, speculating on the cause of the accident before the facts were all in have all added to the complication of understanding these tragic events.Midair collisions with airliners are rare. It has been 38 years since the last airliner midair in the U.S. John Goglia shares his personal experience with a midair accident when he had released the accident aircraft just a few hours before everyone on board was killed in a midair collision. Greg, John and Todd offer meaningful proposals to allow for continued safe operation of Reagan National Airport and a full and complete independent investigation of the accident. This accident presents a meaningful opportunity to examine the current air traffic control system in the U.S. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Nick Lappos, former Vietnam AH-1 Cobra helicopter pilot and Lockheed Martin Senior Fellow for Rotary and Mission Systems, offers insights on the future of air mobility. The focus is on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced air mobility (AAM).Nick was part of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) certification task force that just published the report "Challenges to the Commercialization of Advanced Air Mobility.” He shares his expertise on air traffic management. Together with Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis, he digs into the challenges of integrating UAVs into the air traffic control system. They explore what will be needed to manage all types of air vehicles. The AIAA report outlines a technological framework reminiscent of cell phone networks where UAVs are handled in real time in an autonomous or semi-autonomous way.UAVs are expected play a significant role in delivery services and other commercial uses. The discussion covers various aspects of UAV integration, including the certification of vehicles, electronic systems, air traffic control issues, and the economic implications of UAV technology. Extensive planning and cooperation should begin now to ensure a safe future for air space.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Details emerge of a possible encounter between a 767 and about 25 unidentified UAP flying near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The plane was headed from JFK to LAX. The UAS followed the aircraft at high altitude for about an hour over hundreds of miles.The FAA or some other organization needs to investigate events like this to assess credible risks and ensure safety of air space. There are significant national security concerns as well.Increased reports of UAP sightings may not be from more events happening, but from there being less stigma around the subject of UAP and a greater acceptance that something is going on.John Goglia, Todd Curtis and Greg Feith also discuss comments made by the White House press secretary claiming that the drones seen over New Jersey and New York in late 2024 were authorized by the FAA for research purposes. The detectives agreed that the comments are not credible given the lack of corroborating information from the FAA or any other entities. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family survived the August 15, 2019 crash of a Cessna Citation Latitude jet caused by bad pilot decisions. John Goglia, Greg Feith and Todd Curtis go beyond the NTSB report to explore what led to an “unstabilized, ridiculously fast” landing that destroyed the aircraft.Both crew members had hundreds of hours of flight experience in this aircraft model, and the copilot was also the director of operations for the airplane operator. In spite of their experience, the crew decided to continue the approach after realizing the aircraft was in an unstabilized approach.The aircraft landed too fast, was not configured properly for landing, and bounced several times before one of the main landing gear collapsed. The plane then departed the runway, came to rest just outside the airport, and caught fire. Fortunately, everyone was able to escape. The detectives explore several factors:Lack of planning by the flight crewUse of nonstandard procedures to salvage an unstabilized approachAnswers missing in the NTSB analysis of the accident. This accident is similar to a 2004 event involving a Gulfstream jet headed to Houston to pick up former president George H.W. Bush. Like the crash with Dale Earnhardt Jr, the experienced crew found themselves in an unstabilized approach, failed to follow standard procedures, and crashed.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Lax oversight by the FAA and questionable maintenance practices by both a flight school and the previous owner of a Cessna 172P aircraft led to a fatal plane crash. The Flight Safety Detectives find this is another aviation disaster that could have been avoided.The NTSB report points to a corroded aileron control cable that failed just after takeoff as the cause of the event. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia discuss the circumstances that led to the crash, killing a student and an instructor. The aircraft involved had been sitting idle for about a year before a flight school purchased it. The original maintenance manual had been lost, and a partial maintenance record was provided to the new owner. Incomplete maintenance logbooks should have prompted a reasonable potential owner to conduct an extensive inspection to uncover issues with the aircraft, yet none was done. The NTSB report does not mention any efforts taken to find maintenance-related records at FAA or elsewhere, actions that would have been reasonable.A pre-buy inspection was done less than a month before the accident. Although some issues were noted, the inspection failed to identify extensive aileron cable corrosion.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A midair collision between a private drone and an aircraft fighting the Los Angeles area fires caused damage to the plane and an evacuation of all firefighting aircraft from the area. John Goglia and Todd Curtis explore the tragic effect on firefighting as well as the violations of aviation rules.This event was a major setback in firefighting efforts. The FAA had taken steps to restrict flying around the fire area that were not followed. They expect federal action to be taken against the drone pilot.The collision with the DJI Mini 4 Pro drone punched a hole in the leading edge of the left wing and grounded the Canadair CL-415 SuperScooper amphibious aircraft for several days. The FBI recovered the drone wreckage from inside the wing and is looking for the pilot.The Canadair SuperScooper amphibious aircraft is designed to pick up about 1,600 gallons of water from lakes or oceans and drop it on large fires. It was one of the largest aircraft types operating over the fires in California. Most drone operators have no certification and are unaware of the FAA regulations restricting where and when drones can fly. Todd and John highlight the basics. Drone operators must educate themselves on FAA regulations and follow the rules. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Sailplane pilot Bob Pett had a close encounter with an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) that exhibited extraordinary speed and maneuverability. Bob shares the experience with John Goglia and Todd Curtis in his first public statement about the encounter.While the first UAP flew in close formation off his left wing during the encounter, two similar UAPs descended from a cloud and joined up with the first. Seeing the next two UAPs approach raised the hair on the back of Bob's neck. Bob and his passenger documented what they saw on August 9, 2015, including sketches of the event. Richard Haines of the National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena (NARCAP) later published a detailed report of the encounter. Bob was not identified by name in the report. Several aspects of this encounter, including pilot decision-making under stress, reporting hazardous events to the appropriate authorities, and the lingering effects of experiencing a potentially catastrophic event in the air, are relevant to aviation safety with or without the involvement of a UAP.The aviation industry has not taken the UAP issue seriously. Despite the increased acceptance of the issue at the highest level of government, resistance to discussing the issue remains.UAP-related aviation safety issues should be reported by pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, other aviation professionals, and passengers. NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is an excellent and anonymous reporting system that ensures that anyone reporting a UAP event will not be identified. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A wave of drone sightings are being reported throughout New Jersey and metropolitan New York, including flights over military installations and critical infrastructure. Drones are now part of battlefields. Are we under attack? Todd Curtis and John Goglia look at the facts of the recent drone sightings. Some video clearly shows airplanes in flight. However, others appear to show drones. The federal government's response has been lacking, with government spokespersons offering few insights into who or what is behind the drone flights or whether there is a national security issue.Russia, China, Iran or private companies testing advanced technology are not likely behind the drone flights since being caught performing such flights would not be in their best interests. There also does not seem to be any attempt to hide the activity. Todd shares the FAA requirements for drone flights at night, including use of remote ID.The government has added dozens of flight restrictions in New Jersey and New York. These may not be effective because there may not be enough resources in place to identify drone activity in all those areas.Todd and John discuss their work as instructors at Vaughn College in New York, describing how the students there create drones using 3-D printing. Todd, a commercial drone pilot since 2016, discusses the drone class he teaches and how he incorporates drone developments, such as the innovations in the use of drones in the war in Ukraine, into the course.More to come on drones as Todd and John examine a sailplane encounter with a UAP in the next episode. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Fire and smoke led to the crash of a Douglas DC3 that killed signer Ricky Nelson and six others. To this day, rumors surround this 1985 deadly crash. Todd Curtis and John Goglia dig in to analyze the known facts.Among the rumors they explore is one that suggests that Ricky Nelson and other passengers may have caused a fire while using drugs in the passenger cabin. Although the NTSB report was inconclusive about the cause of the fire, the crew had reported issues starting the cabin heating system. For John, this aviation disaster illustrates his larger concern about maintenance and operation of charter aircraft. He feels strongly that anyone who charters aircraft should check out the potential supplier of services to ensure they follow FAA requirements for operating their aircraft. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Is Qantas Airlines safe? Two recent events have led the Australian media and others to raise that question.The first safety issue was in November 2024. A tool was left in the engine of a Qantas A380 for nearly a month before it was discovered. A few days later, a Qantas 737 had an engine failure while taking off from Sydney. The Australian media covered these events extensively, raising concerns about Qantas' safety. The Flight Safety Detectives look at whether these events establish a pattern of concern. One factor here is that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigates events that would likely not generate a detailed report if they happened on an aircraft registered in the U.S. or elsewhere.John Goglia and Todd Curtis also discuss a 2020 fuel dumping event over Los Angeles that resulted in many school children being exposed to fuel. The FAA issued a report that stated that fuel dumping is relatively rare in the U.S., averaging about 15 events per year from 2015 to 2020. Hear how and why these events occur. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The first fatal HondaJet accident just occurred. Greg Feith and John Goglia go over the known facts of the air crash in Mesa, Arizona on November 5. The jet ran off the runway and struck a car on a nearby road, killing the driver and four of the five people on board the jet. They draw similarities with a 2014 takeoff accident involving a Gulfstream jet near Boston. Poor preflight preparation may be the biggest contributor to this deadly event. Greg and John share the simple tests and steps that can be the difference between a successful and a fatal flight. Greg and John also discuss Greg's recent recognition from the National Aeronautic Association. Greg was named a 2023 Distinguished Statesmen of Aviation.Greg and John finished the episode with a discussion of the show's newest advertiser, Piston Power, and how their various options for managing routine and non-routine repairs may benefit an aircraft owner.They also welcome a new sponsor - PistonPower™. The company offers general aviation's first and only Unscheduled and Power-by-the-Hour programs for piston aircraft. Designed by aviation pros who've designed and built similar programs for turbine engines, PistonPower™ brings stability to your maintenance budget and peace of mind to your business and personal flying.  No Risk. No Surprises. Stabilize Your Maintenance Budget! Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A U.S. Army UH-1 Huey helicopter survived the perils of Vietnam but came to a disastrous end in West Virginia. The 1962 helicopter crashed after its engine failed, killing the pilot and five passengers.The 2022 crash happened during an annual event that offers visitors an opportunity to fly either as passengers or as a second pilot. This helicopter was a warbird--a former military aircraft operating as a civil aircraft. It was operated under a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category.Although the pilot in command had flown this same helicopter at the annual event in the previous two years, he had logged only 21 hours of flying experience in that helicopter. One of the five passengers was a helicopter pilot who had paid to operate the helicopter during the flight. About 15 minutes into the flight, the engine failed. The helicopter struck power lines and a rock face before crashing and catching fire. The NTSB could not determine if the pilot in command or the helicopter-rated passenger attempted the emergency landing.Despite the number of people killed in warbird crashes, it is unlikely the FAA will make major changes in how it oversees operators of these types of flights because of the relatively small number of operators. John and Todd share thoughts on what these operators can do to ensure safety. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Flight Safety Detectives host John Goglia will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, a rare accomplishment in aviation. John is the first person whose career was focused on aviation maintenance to be selected. John Goglia and Todd Curtis talk about the honor before diving into a recent drone accident in Boston that injured two people. The drone crash occurred in downtown Boston during the taping of the TNT show "Inside the NBA." The drone crashed into a pole and fell, injuring people in the crowd. The drone flight would likely have had a FAA exemption to allow a flight both near crowds of people and close to Boston's Logan Airport.Todd and John also discuss John's recent visit to the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) exhibition in Las Vegas. John saw many of the companies and technologies behind the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft associated with advanced air mobility (AAM) companies like Joby. The FAA has just released regulations related to the commercial use of such aircraft.Todd and John talk about the potential for AAM operations in the U.S. They discuss several possible issues might slow adoption. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A fatal Piper PA-28-300 plane crash was caused by a loose fuel line that should never have been installed on the aircraft. The NTSB investigation of the fatal May 2018 crash shows that a fuel line that was not approved for use on that aircraft led to an engine fire. Todd Curtis and John Goglia examine the details. Although the fuel line used was an approved aviation part, it was not approved for use in this aircraft. The NTSB could not determine who installed the part or when it was installed.Approved parts used in unapproved ways is an ongoing issue in aviation. Some individuals in the general aviation community even promote the use of auto parts instead of more expensive approved aviation parts.John, who worked on FAA committees on the issue of unapproved parts in the 1980s, has seen many unapproved part issues with several major airlines. The FAA began requiring more documentation for aircraft parts in the 1990s, but the problem persists.The accident pilot was aware that the engine had issues. Before the flight, the pilot told a CFI that he would perform an engine runup and take off only if the runup was successful. This accident involved pilot decision-making under uncertainty concerning whether to take off with an engine problem. This kind of issue happens at all levels of aviation. The fatal crash of an Alaska Airlines MD83 in 2000 is just another example. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Another flight training accident, another lacking NTSB report. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia discuss the NTSB report of a fatal June 2021 flight training accident near Indianapolis that lacks useful details or analysis.The accident aircraft was Diamond DA40 with an instructor and student on board. The instructor had received a CFI certification about nine weeks before the accident. Most of the instructor's 329 hours of flight experience were with the same make and model of aircraft.The accident sequence began with a stall that turned into a spin. A certified CFI must demonstrate the ability to recover from a spin. The airplane flight manual included specific instructions for spin recovery.The NTSB recreated the accident sequence using a data card from the airplane and it showed that proper spin recovery techniques were not used. What was much less clear was how the CFI reacted in the situation.The NTSB did not investigate the training of the CFI, the procedures used by the flight training organization, or the experience other students had with the CFI. There are not enough facts or insights in the report to make it useful to the aviation community. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Aviation around the world changed as a result of the fatal accident involving Air Canada Flight 797. The investigation led to massive changes to the materials inside the cabins of commercial aircraft.On June 2, 1983, the DC9-32 on a routine flight from Dallas to Toronto had an inflight smoke event that led to an emergency landing in Cincinnati. As the passengers and crew began evacuating the aircraft, a flash fire in the cabin created heat and toxic smoke that killed 23 of the 46 occupants.The NTSB investigation revealed that the fire caused the release of dangerous levels of toxic chemicals and gases from the materials used inside the cabin. This finding led to a systematic transition to new fire-blocking materials. John Goglia shares his role in replacing materials on aircraft he maintained.This accident also led to the requirement for smoke detectors in lavatories. It also led to the use of air-driven flush motors in lavatories, rather than electrical flush motors.Related documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Two recent Cirrus accidents killed a total of seven people. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis have some advice for Cirrus pilots to avoid similar tragedies. They caution newer technology supports, but is not a replacement for, good planning and pilot decision-making.One accident at Kill Devil Hills airport in North Carolina, killed four adults and one child. Another, in Provo, Utah airport killed both occupants.The Kill Devil Hills aircraft apparently had the maximum possible number of occupants. Todd shares his experiences flying with a heavily loaded aircraft and how weight impacts safe flight practices. Kill Devil Hills Airport has a relatively short runway. Planning and maintaining a stabilized approach, making adjustments for trees and towers, and factoring in weather conditions all need consideration when planning to take off and land there.Accident investigators are urged to look into the specific training the pilot had for this Cirrus model.In the Utah flight, the aircraft may have entered an accelerated stall and crashed during a second approach shortly after turning from the downwind leg to the base leg.Like the first accident, ADS-B data indicated that the accident aircraft did not recently land at the accident airport. The pilot's lack of familiarity and planning may be key factors in the crash. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Fight instructor-related accidents and check ride failures at all levels of certificates and ratings are on the rise. Why? Insights are hard to come by. The report on a February 24, 2024 fatal training flight in South Africa that killed the student pilot and the instructor does nothing to help that issue. The Flight Safety Detectives' analysis of the document finds a lack of any insightful analysis of the factors that led to the fatal crash. There are no useful insights or lessons that could benefit aviation safety. Any accident investigation has to provide some kind of aviation safety benefit, and this investigation did not meet that standard.The flight involved a pre-solo student. The training manual may have included things not normally taught to a pre-solo student. Based on eyewitness testimony, the aircraft had a low and fast approach, followed by a wingover maneuver. The report does not answer the basic question of whether it was the student or instructor at the controls.Greg Feith points out key factual evidence not analyzed or explained in the report. Todd Curtis calls for more details about the flight instructor and the flight school. John Goglia surmises that the report was written by someone without an aviation operations background. Greg, who sits on the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) board of directors, encourages the audience to attend the upcoming NAFI national safety summit, https://nafisummit.org/. The summit will address concerns over the quality of flight training. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A second-in-command pilot left the cockpit and either jumped or fell out of an open rear cargo door of a CASA 212 aircraft flying over North Carolina. Digging into the details reveals he was self-medicating for anxiety and he may have been overcome by agitation during flight.In this 2022 event, the main landing gear was damaged when the plane that was supporting sky diving tried to land. The crew diverted to a larger airport for a second landing attempt. During that diversion, the second in command was visibly upset. He left the cockpit and either intentionally or accidentally left the aircraft, falling to his death.During the investigation, the NTSB found that this pilot was known to be a perfectionist who was hard on himself regarding his performance as a pilot. The toxicological tests indicated that the pilot who died has mitragynine in his system, which is associated with the drug Kratom. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved Kratom for any use, and the Drug Enforcement Agency has identified Kratom as a drug of concern. Internal FAA policy considers its use disqualifying for pilots. The probable cause for this event does not say anything about the role of Kratom or mental health issues. Addressing mental health in aviation is part of a larger societal problem that should be addressed. Aviation professionals don't have the incentive to get treatment for mental health issues because coming forward could end their career.Related documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The preliminary accident report on the August 9, 2024 crash of a Voepass ATR72 near Sao Paolo, Brazil has just been issued. John Goglia, Todd Curtis and Greg Feith apply their expertise to examine the findings and critical aviation safety issues.The report has detailed facts, including a summary of the flight, but several key pieces of information are missing. One big issue – no detailed transcript of what was said in the cockpit during the flight.The report focuses on the aircraft's deicing and anti-icing systems, including its apparent malfunctions. This system was first activated after the crew received an alert from the aircraft's ice detection system, and was turned off less than a minute later. The crew did not react appropriately after turning off the deicing system warning. Rather than leaving the altitude where the icing was occurring or disengaging the autopilot, the crew did neither.Based on the portions of the crew's conversation during the flight in the report, John concludes that the crew was not paying enough attention to flying the airplane. They did not address warnings from the aircraft.There is a potential conflict of interest that may impede getting all the details of this accident. The Brazilian Air Force runs CENIPA, the aviation accident investigative authority, and the Brazilian air traffic control organization. Greg and John share their firsthand experiences with investigators dealing with outside influences using the example of the 1994 Roselawn, Indiana ATR72 accident.Key takeaway here: pilots, especially professional pilots, need to educate themselves about how icing affects their aircraft.Related documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

In March, a Mooney airplane door opened in flight, causing a loss of control and two fatalities. Todd and John examine this incident and three other Mooney events. Instead of a fault with Mooney aircraft, they find a pattern of very experienced pilots having issues and crashing when a passenger or baggage door opens in flight.Doors open in flight often. The outcome depends on pilot action.The pilot in the most recent crash had commercial and instrument ratings and nearly 800 hours of experience. Besides the door opening in flight, the NTSB found no other issues with the aircraft. The door alone should not have caused the plane crash.In the earlier cases they discuss, all the pilots had at least a hundred hours of flight experience and there were no issues with the aircraft other than the doors opening in flight. One of those accidents had an instructor pilot on board, and between the student and instructor, they had over 9,000 hours of flight experience. Todd shares an early similar flight experience when an oil access door came open during the takeoff roll. He aborted the takeoff. His current process during his flight training focuses on flying the aircraft and assessing the situation before taking any other action.Related documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website.Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Get the highlights of the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! Hundreds of thousands of attendees attended the multi-day event. All sectors of aviation were represented, from the military to general aviation, from exotic and experimental aircraft to flight demonstrations by military and civilian aircraft. John Goglia attended once again this year and chatted with pilots, mechanics, elected officials, and aviation enthusiasts of every age. He met several people who regularly listen to the podcast, including some who offered ideas for future shows. AirVenture is a unique airshow experience, but there are opportunities to visit other airshows around the country. Many local airports also offer opportunities for the general public, to see airplanes up close and speak to local pilots, flight schools, and others involved in aviation. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

What led to the deadly crash of a Voepass Linhas Aereas in August? Video of the flight's final moments show the aircraft rapidly descending in a flat spin. Early reports on the accident mention that icing conditions were present in the area at the time of the crash.Recovering from a spin in a large airliner is a significant challenge for pilots. Understanding how to avoid situations that lead to stalls and spins is the best way to avoid these tragedies.Flight training typically does not require pilots to experience actual spins. Even full-motion simulators do not provide the full range of physical experience on an actual airplane. Pilots need to understand their aircraft's stall and spin characteristics and the situations that make an aircraft's wings more prone to stalling.John Goglia shares his experience as an NTSB Board member investigating a 1994 icing-related crash of an ATR72. That investigation included an FAA test involving another ATR72 in controlled icing conditions, which revealed that certain icing conditions could result in icing that the ATR72's deicing system could not control.Todd Curtis and John also delve into an incident at Boston Logan Airport where the pilot of a Brazil-registered Embraer Phenom 300E who had difficulties communicating with an air traffic controller. The pilot could not follow several ATC requests, resulting in altitude and speed deviations during a landing approach. English is the language used by ATC at international airports, but pilots from countries where English is not the language used to communicate can have difficulties. The English used for air traffic control is not the same English used in normal conversations. Even native English speakers have challenges when communicating with ATC, particularly those performing a single-pilot IFR flight. Related documents are available at the Fight Safety Detectives website.Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) can be used by pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and others in the aviation safety community to report UAP or UFO encounters without revealing their identity or the identity of their employers. Todd Curtis discussed this in a June 2024 presentation at the Contact in the Desert Conference in Palm Springs, California. In this episode, he and John Goglia dig deeper into the issue of reporting of these encounters in the aviation community. While neither of them has seen an incident report that mentioned a UFO or UAP, that it does not mean that they have never happened.Based on his experience in both industry and academia, Curtis believes that if he had come across this kind of information, he would not have included that fact in any report because it would not have been well received by his colleagues. UAP and UFOs are legitimate risk concerns, but civilian organizations like the FAA have not formally started to collect this kind of data. Todd and John share the factors that they think are barriers to such data collection.NASA's ASRS database already has at least 13 UAP events, each involving an unidentified phenomenon, an aerospace vehicle with unconventional capabilities, or a conventional aerospace vehicle in an unconventional location or situation. Todd and John discuss the most unusual report, involving an aerospace vehicle that was too small to carry a pilot and that exhibited extraordinary speed and maneuverability.Anyone with an aviation-related UAP encounter should submit a report to the ASRS to help the aviation community better understand UAP risks.Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Issues from the NTSB investigation of a 2023 railroad accident are used to discuss the voluntary party system. The system is designed to encourage cooperative efforts in an investigation, which does not always work.In the party system, an organization or an individual with relevant expertise or information is invited to participate directly in an NTSB investigation. These parties are required to follow basic rules. They are expected to provide the NTSB information or expertise that helps the investigation and limit discussing details with the media and others not involved in the investigation.In the NTSB investigation of a 2023 rail accident involving a Norfolk Southern train in Ohio, Norfolk Southern was a designated party. Late in the investigation, Norfolk Southern submitted information that the NTSB rejected because of how and when it was submitted. Based on statements in the final report and in the public docket, Norfolk Southern did not operate properly as a party to the investigation. They conducted an independent investigation and held information that should have been given to the NTSB.Should inappropriately late submissions be included in an NTSB investigation? The NTSB did not state if this late submission had critical information. Greg Feith and John Goglia favor analyzing all information to determine whether it helps the investigation.Related documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A YouTube video showing fireworks fired from a low-flying helicopter at a speeding Lamborghini has led to federal charges for the creator. Suk Min Choi was charged in June by the U.S. Department of Justice with one count of causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft. At least four other people were involved, including two or three people in an apparent Robinson R44 helicopter and the drivers of two vehicles. Replicating a sequence from a video game, Choi presses a “fire missiles” button while people in the helicopter shoot fireworks at the Lamborghini. In the video posted to YouTube, it appeared that there were cameras in the helicopter, the Lamborghini, and a second vehicle on the ground. In addition to law-breaking activities, this event has scary aviation safety risks. The helicopter pilot may have violated one or more FAA regulations concerning flying for commercial purposes. And, the helicopter was clearly flown in a hazardous manner. The pilot may have problems finding employment if their involvement becomes public.Even stunts in the air need to follow appropriate laws, regulations, and safety procedures and should be done after consulting with partners like insurance providers, the FAA, and other appropriate authorities.Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8   Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

A fatal midair collision involving a Cessna 172 illustrates several aviation safety concerns related to pilot training in and around airports with commercial operations. The incident involved a student and instructor on board performing touch-and-go landings and a Dash 8 departing on a passenger flight.While the event happened in Kenya, the circumstances that led to this accident could happen in any location where airliners and small training aircraft operate out of the same airport. In this case, the midair collision occurred only about 500 feet above the ground and 1500 feet below a broken cloud layer in an area with over 10 km of visibility.The Cessna 172 was performing touch-and-go landings on from one of the airport's runways. Shortly after the Dash 8 departed from an intersecting runway, the stabilizer of the airliner collided with the Cessna. The Cessna crashed, killing both on board. Todd Curtis and John Goglia analyze the preliminary report, which came out three months after the accident. They examine the transcript of ATC communications around the time of the accident. Anyone who operates aircraft in similar circumstances could learn something useful from studying this event.Immediately after the collision, the transcript of the ATC communications stated that during 97 seconds, there was "unrelated transmission from other traffic." Any transmissions to or from aircraft near the collision could provide useful clues into what was known or not known by ATC and aircraft crews in the vicinity. Related document is available at the Flight Safety Detectives website.Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Boeing should use a third-party organization that would act on behalf of the FAA to monitor the design and production of its aircraft. That's the proposal of special guest and Kilroy Aviation CEO Mike Borfitz published in a June 28, 2024 editorial in Aviation Daily.This kind of oversight had been provided in the past by Boeing employees who acted as the eyes and ears of the FAA. The process is based on FAA regulations created in 2005 that allowed manufacturers to create Organization Designation Authorizations (ODAs), groups of employees who were paid by the manufacturer and who worked for the FAA. The effectiveness of this organizational setup for Boeing was questioned in the wake of the 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. Borfitz's proposal would address the weaknesses of the previous setup by having a third-party organization outside of Boeing's control act as Boeing's ODA. This would make it more likely that concerning issues would be brought to the attention of the FAA.This episode includes a wide-ranging discussion of how aircraft are certified to FAA standards. Todd Curtis and Borfitz, both of whom worked for Boeing when the company merged with McDonnell Douglas, relate that the merger led high-level Boeing managers to focus more on shareholder value.Borfitz expresses his belief that the current Department of Justice sanctions against Boeing that require an independent monitor to oversee compliance and safety for three years would be ineffective because it allows Boeing to return to its previous management policies in three years. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Hypoxia is a significant danger in aviation and an insidious killer of passengers and pilots. Special guest Miles O'Brien hosts a discussion with aviation experts Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia that covers how hypoxia impacts all forms of aviation. They discuss personal experiences with hypoxia and share insights from several hypoxia-related accidents.Hypoxia is a condition where the human body is deprived of oxygen which can reduce mental function. Hypoxia can be particularly hazardous for pilots because someone experiencing hypoxia may not be aware of its symptoms or its effects on their performance.One high-profile incident in 1999 took the life to golfer Payne Stewart. He was a passenger in a Learjet 35 that took off from Orlando Executive Airport and became non-responsive to air traffic control. Fighter jets intercepted the plane and determined the crew was unconscious. After 1500 miles the jet ran out of fuel and crashed over South Dakota. Greg, Todd, Miles, and John have all experienced hypoxia in controlled altitude chambers. They share their experiences, which include feelings of euphoria, reduced mental capacity, reduced physical performance, and even a case of high-altitude bends. Key to understanding hypoxia is the concept of time of useful consciousness, which is the amount of time a person can spend at altitude without feeling the effects of hypoxia. That period of time gets smaller as altitude increases. Age, stress, and other factors may shorten those times.Related documents are at the Flight Safety Detectives website. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Planes that experience turbulence in flight are getting a lot of headline attention lately. During one widely covered incident of turbulence in May 2024 a passenger aboard a Singapore Airlines flight was killed.Serious turbulence leading to injuries is not uncommon. Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss several notable in-flight turbulence events, including the death of 1950s era test pilot Scott Crossfield.Specific and useful information about turbulence conditions is often not readily available. However, pilots can avoid turbulence, either by adjusting the planned flight to miss major areas of turbulence or by deciding not to take off if the risks are high.Airline passengers also have a role in dealing with turbulence dangers. Seatbelts and keeping items stowed in flight minimize the risks in bumpy conditions.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

As Boeing continues to be the subject of investigations and congressional hearings the concept of criminalization has come to the forefront. This could have a devastating impact on aviation safety in the U.S. Special guest and aviation attorney Mark Dombroff focuses on efforts to criminalize the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents. The effort to use criminal prosecutions to address aviation safety issues in the U.S. would dramatically impact the process of getting to the facts, including making witnesses more reluctant to come forward with details. Criminalizing will make the safety investigation process more difficult and less effective.While some in the legal community favor criminalization, it is not the approach used in most of the world. Aviation accident investigation focuses on understanding what happened and how to prevent similar events in the future. A criminal investigation would shift the goals to assigning blame and handing out punishment. Several notable past investigations came up during the discussion, including a fatal 2006 midair collision in Brazil involving a 737 and a corporate jet. The corporate jet pilots were detained in Brazil for several months and threatened with prosecution for almost 18 years. When TWA Flight 800 crashed, there was tension over whether the FBI or the NTSB would conduct the investigation.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Missing equipment and inexperience led to a plane crash that killed 3. Precipitation, turbulence, and icing were factors in the crash of a Piper PA-30 Comanche in Oklahoma. The pilot did not have an instrument certification and was not able to handle the conditions.The pilot had a private pilot and multiengine rating but did not have instrument training. Todd Curtis, Miles O'Brien, and John Goglia discuss what may have driven the pilot to fly into deteriorating weather. “Getting there” seems to have been the focus rather than planning and preparation.The pilot was cruising at about 8,500 feet and climbed to as high as 16,500 feet. While the aircraft could provide supplemental oxygen, the equipment to use that system was not on board.The pilot likely climbed to escape a storm. He flew to an altitude where supplemental oxygen was required. The plane crashed and all 3 people on board were killed.Related Documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The fatal crash of Hughes 369 helicopter being used to trim trees has a backstory that gives insight into what went wrong. This workhorse of a helicopter apparently had damage from previous incidents.The NTSB investigation found cracks in an engine mount that were likely present before the crash. John Goglia and Todd Curtis look beyond the fatal accident and share three previous investigations involving this helicopter. Two involved a crash with serious structural damage or a hard landing. These events may have stressed the engine mounts. The fatal crash happened when the helicopter was in use for an operation that used a large 10-bladed saw to trim trees close to power lines. The helicopter went into a spin and low altitude and crashed, killing the pilot. This episode highlights the importance of knowing an aircraft's history. Studying previous events involving a particular aircraft could reveal issues that should be inspected more closely or more frequently. The required 100-hour and 300-hour inspections were completed for the helicopter at the center of this discussion. However, additional inspections would have been smart given the previous accident history of the helicopter.Related documents are found at the Flight Safety Detectives website.  Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Training flight gone wrong! An examination of a February 2024 accident that involved an unstable approach, a tail strike, and a near collision with an airplane hanger.Both the instructor and student involved in the Cessna 172 accident survived. Their account of the event provides insights into how a routine training flight turned into a near disaster. The instructor's decision-making created a dangerous situation.Shortly before landing, ATC redirected the aircraft to a much shorter runway, and the instructor allowed the student to bring in the aircraft too high and too fast. The instructor then allowed the student to land instead executing a missed approach.After the student put the aircraft on the runway and braked hard enough to lock the brakes, the instructor took control of the aircraft, continued to apply brakes and pulled back on the control column hard enough to cause a tail strike.The instructor turned onto a taxiway near the end of the runway and took off again, barely missing a nearby hanger. Fortunately, the instructor was able to land the damaged aircraft.The Australian authorities reference FAA criteria for a stabilized approach in the accident report. The detectives share anecdotes that reinforce the importance of judging whether an approach is stable and being consistent with landing procedures. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

The crew of a United Airlines 727 tried to turn back shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles, but did not make it back to the airport. The plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean.Greg Feith, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia discuss the crash of the 727-22QC in 1969. Electrical failures and electrical system design contributed to the plane crash. The accident happened on a night with limited visibility due to the weather.The aircraft had three electrical generators, but only two were working. Shortly after takeoff, the crew shut down one engine due to a fire warning. That move shut down one of the two working generators.John discusses the complexities of 727 electrical systems and other aircraft of the era. The NTSB found that total power loss occurred after all the electrical loads were placed on the one remaining generator. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

Oil and oxygen don't mix on airplanes. A crew doing maintenance on the Air Force One oxygen system ignored safety procedures resulting in $4 million dollars of damage the plane.The damage was caused by maintenance activity on the oxygen system of a U.S. Air Force VC-25A, a 747 aircraft that regularly flies the President of the United States. This event occurred in 2016.John Goglia and Todd Curtis share evidence that crew did not follow the VC-25A's aircraft maintenance manual procedures for cleaning the tools, parts, and components before performing leak checks on the oxygen system. This is perhaps the highest profile incident of an aircraft damaged due to improper oxygen system maintenance procedures. John notes that failure to follow procedures is the FAA's top cause for maintenance problems in commercial aviation. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

New 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 shadow that he could not explain. That led to lots of sleuthing and the realization of the involvement of a second helicopter. Safety concerns arise when one or more helicopters operate around a drone. In addition to this 2020 collision, a midair between two news-gathering helicopters in 2007 that killed everyone on both helicopters.Miles shares his experiences flying in situations where multiple helicopters are covering a breaking news story. Pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft need to coordinate closely to maintain safe operations.The NTSB should consider taking a second look and revising its report to address the aviation safety issues uncovered. John shares his experience on the NTSB Board and what it took to reopen an investigation when new information was available.Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.https://flightsafetydetectives.com/2020-midair-collision-revisited-episode-221 Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8