Episode 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...
Jul 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 81
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 ...
Jul 07, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 80
Episode 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...
Jul 02, 2021•12 min•Ep. 79
Episode 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 Sy...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 78
Episode 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 fligh...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 77
Episode 73 Airports are humming again with COVID restrictions being lifted. That has John and Greg talking about commercial airline safety. The focus of this episode is maintenance lessons learned from the 1979 American Airlines DC10 accident in Chicago . Greg was just coming on board NTSB when the investigation began and John knows several of the key players involved. The DC10 involved had recently had maintenance done that required removal of the engine. The work compromised the pylon arm that...
Jun 16, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 76
Episode 72 Rebecca Lutte from University of Nebraska and Cassandra Bosco of TailWinds Communications Inc visit to talk about attracting more people to careers in aviation. Special focus is closing gender gaps and access for underserved communities. Wide-ranging programs and resources are highlighted. Many organizations are working on efforts to create and sustain interest in aviation industry careers. If you want to start or advance a career in aviation, this episode offers the inspiration you n...
Jun 09, 2021•48 min•Ep. 75
Episode 71 This special episode celebrates the legacy of Charlie Taylor as the father if aircraft maintenance. Taylor built the first aircraft engine used by the Wright brothers in the Wright Flyer. He set the professional standards followed by professional aircraft mechanics today. Special guests are: Ken Mactiernan, Director at the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association David Supplee, President/Directing General Chair at Air Transport District 142, IAMAW Chris Moore and Bob Fisher, Inter...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 74
Episode 70 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students get real about their school and their education. Hear how COVID and online learning impacted them. Be prepared to be wowed by their passion for aviation! John and Greg talk about the many opportunities for people with the skills taught at ERAU – in aviation as well as other fields. They talk about current needs as well as what the future might hold with developments like drones, travel to Mars and more. If you have a passion for aviation, ...
May 20, 2021•59 min•Ep. 73
Episode 69 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University masters students share details from their research into safety issues in aviation. Greg and John make connections between the research and their own experiences. They go in depth on the issue of carry-on bags in cases of aircraft evacuation. Research has generated quantitative data on how passengers impact safety when they avoid the advice to leave carry-on bags behind. Other research highlights the importance of safety management systems in all ar...
May 12, 2021•41 min•Ep. 72
Episode 68 Live from the campus of Embry-Riddle in Daytona, Florida! John, Greg and guest Bob Joyce talk about the focus on safety, quality and professionalism in all aspects of the university. The curriculum at Embry-Riddle covers the operation, engineering, research, manufacturing, marketing, and management of modern aircraft and the systems that support them. Bob Joyce is the university’s director of aviation safety. Greg reflects on his time as a student and how the safety-first approach has...
May 05, 2021•34 min•Ep. 71
Episode 67 The United Airlines engine failure is back in the news. Service bulletins and/or airworthiness directives may be issued soon. Investigation of fire suppression issues continue. Three months after the accident, issues related to crew performance are just surfacing. John and Greg catch listeners up on the investigation, how it is illustrating NTSB shortcomings, and the need for the FAA to revisit increasingly outdated flight regulations. FAA Drone Rules Change in April Loretta Alkalay, ...
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 70
Episode 66 The NTSB preliminary report of a March 27 helicopter crash in Alaska that killed five people sheds little light on the cause. John, Greg, and guest Jason Lukasik explore the many factors that could have contributed to the fatal accident. The onsite inspection is the most important part of the investigation. In this case, the investigation is stalled by poor weather conditions. Speaking of Alaska, Where’s the Report from the 2019 Roundtable? Greg and John are still looking for some kin...
Apr 21, 2021•56 min•Ep. 69
Episode 65 Mandated inspections are being performed on Piper PA28 aircraft based on airworthiness directive AD 2020-26-16 . The Flight Safety Detectives offer an update on progress. Listen for what to do and what not to do for affected aircraft. Jason Lukasik, president of JL2 Aviation Consultants and former FAA inspector, returns to share preliminary data collected. The cracking issue that prompted in the AD is present in about 5% of airplanes inspected so far. Good news for aircraft owners is ...
Apr 14, 2021•54 min•Ep. 68
Episode 64 The Federal Aviation Administration took a hit as Congress investigated issues with the 737 Max. What needs to be done to rebuild the FAA’s worldwide stature? How will they regain trust in their certification process? Guest is Sandy Murdock who served as FAA Chief Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for all rulemaking, environmental, acquisition, personnel, and ethical and litigation matters. Sandy led the FAA legal effort on PATCO strike and was the principal FAA spokesperson with the me...
Apr 07, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 67
Episode 63 Crew resource management (CRM) and safety management systems (SMS) get the spotlight in this discussion. These systems help build safety into every flight. Special guest is listener Amy Wright, a self-professed “safety nerd” who says she gets “out of breath with excitement” talking about quality processes and safety procedures. Hear about the benefits of well-crafted processes in aviation and beyond. Systems that encourage everyone to work together have changed the nature of cockpit o...
Mar 31, 2021•50 min•Ep. 66
Episode 62 Catastrophe averted? A Frontier A320 Airbus was set to take off from Nashville when a passenger noticed the deicing looked strange. He alerted the flight crew to the green liquid sitting on top of ice and snow on the wings. John and Greg share the details of what may have happened, going beyond news coverage of the incident . They offer their insider knowledge of deicing procedures. Among the insights: Deicing is extremely expensive for airlines Why some flight crews like to avoid “sh...
Mar 24, 2021•57 min•Ep. 65
Episode 61 Discussion of the United Airlines 777 engine explosion continues with guest Mike Borfitz. The focus is the three systems that make up the engine cowling. At the initial NTSB hearing, the chairman was pointed in saying that the recent event was technically a contained engine failure. Yet, most industry experts say the evidence points to an uncontained failure. Borfitz is an FAA designated engineering representative. He shares his knowledge of current regulations and expectations. Among...
Mar 17, 2021•54 min•Ep. 64
Episode 60 John and Greg are giving meticulous attention to information available on the recent United Airlines engine explosion. In this episode they share their initial expert observations and predict what’s next. Learn what the evidence so far really shows from two of the world’s most experienced accident investigators. They explain why the crew and air traffic control personnel who handled the flight were “the ideal scenario for handling the situation.” The outcome could have been far worse....
Mar 10, 2021•52 min•Ep. 63
Episode 59 John and Greg talk about special considerations for pilots who rent airplanes. They share anecdotes of incidents where pilots in rented aircraft ran into safety issues. Part of the in-depth discussion is advice for pilots: Don’t assume anything when renting a plane. Check maintenance records and do a thorough preflight every time. They encourage pilots who encounter issues with rentals to report concerns to benefit the safety of the next person in the cockpit. The conversation takes t...
Mar 03, 2021•48 min•Ep. 62
Episode 58 John and Greg catch listeners up with some major aviation news. Findings are being shared from the Kobe Bryant crash investigation. The 737-500 crash in Indonesia may be the result of a known issue. Piper single engine aircraft now have an airworthiness directive to be addressed along with two service bulletins. Kobe Bryant Crash The NTSB Sunshine Hearing about the 2020 Calabasas helicopter crash covered expected findings related to weather, spatial awareness and preflight planning. M...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 61
Episode 57 The FAA’s role in flight safety has evolved over the years. This episode covers the Safety Management System (SMS), the potential expansion into charter aviation, and the value of building a safety culture in all types of aviation. Aspects of FAA operations – past, present and future – are discussed. The episode continues a conversation with John Allen, Manager at Allen and Associates Consulting, LLC. His expertise includes the military, airline industry and FAA. Allen reflects on his...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 60
Episode 56 The FAA has taken a hit following high-profile crashes of the 737 Max. Investigators and congressional hearings have laid the blame on the FAA aircraft certification process and its too-close relationship with Boeing. Will the agency be able to restore its reputation? Guest is John Allen , Manager at Allen and Associates Consulting, LLC. His resume includes service in the US military as well as leadership roles at the FAA and JetBlue. The discussion takes a candid look at the issues. ...
Feb 10, 2021•46 min•Ep. 59
Episode 55 Is complacency seeping into all areas of aviation? From pilots doing casual preflights to the NTSB’s continued refusal to do on-site investigations for most aviation accidents, John and Greg have safety concerns at all levels. The safety culture of aviation is stagnating. The findings of the Rand Report – written more than 20 years ago – have not been implemented. It outlines issues with the NTSB organizational culture that persist today. The result is a decrease in the board’s role a...
Feb 03, 2021•54 min•Ep. 58
Episode 54 Light Sport Aircraft are the focus of this discussion. Changes to FAA rules and regulations now under review could result in a major loosening of safety rules for affected planes. The FAA is proposing to change the rules and regulations related to LSAs, allowing aircraft in the category to be larger and more complex. John, Greg and expert Jason Lukasik explore implications for flight safety. While every maintenance bulletin must be followed on LSAs, the use of consensus standards can ...
Jan 27, 2021•56 min•Ep. 57
Episode 53 The NTSB investigation of the tragic 2006 crash of a single-engine Cessna 206 was attributed to pilot error. Although evidence has surfaced that questions that conclusion, the findings have not been changed and appeals have been denied. Guests for this episode are Yatish Joshi, pilot Georgina Joshi’s father and an experienced pilot, and his wife Joan. They tell the story of their journey to find the truth. The lack of NTSB resources devoted to general aviation accidents is a disturbin...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 56
Episode 52 More than 430 lives have been saved by the BRS Whole Aircraft Rescue Parachute System. John and Greg welcome BRS Managing Director and President Enrique Dillon to get all the details about the system. BRS invented the Whole Aircraft Rescue Parachute System in 1980. Since then, the system has been installed on more than 35,000 aircraft. It is a safety option that can be installed on virtually any general aviation plane. The discussion covers the details of proper installation and maint...
Jan 13, 2021•58 min•Ep. 55
Episode 51 Experienced pilot Bob Jenkins joins Greg and John for this look at piloting challenges in business and charter aviation. COVID-19 is leading to increased interest in these flight options as a way to avoid the crowds of commercial aviation. Pilots face demands of both aircraft and flight readiness. Pilots must be prepared to make flight safety decisions, even when they are unpopular with the employer on board. Jenkins discusses the dangers of automation dependence, handling missed appr...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 54
Guest Jason Lukasik, president of JL2 Aviation Consultants and former FAA inspector, walks John and Greg through the recent Airworthiness Directive related to PA 28 Series planes. Jason shares his firsthand experience encountering dramatic corrosion on Piper wing spars. 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: “Inspiratio...
Dec 23, 2020•56 min•Ep. 53
Episode 49 Special guest is Dr Chuck Dennison , forensic and aviation psychologist, who specializes in neuropsychological evaluations for the FAA. He talks about how he tests cognitive function to ensure pilots have the mental acuity to fly safely. Greg and John explore the many conditions that can trigger the need for assessment such as head injury, substance abuse issues, and conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. The FAA medical certificate process is an important aspect of aviation safety. ...
Dec 16, 2020•59 min•Ep. 52
