Flight Safety Detectives

Fresh Analysis of Deadly Crash Involving Travis Barker

Episode 88

The Flight Safety Detectives offer a fresh analysis of the 2008 crash of a Lear Model 60 in Columbia, South Carolina. Travis Barker was one of two passengers who survived the crash that killed the flight crew and two passengers.

Crew performance issues started long before the aircraft started takeoff. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis share a minute-by-minute analysis. They uncover issues with operations, briefing inadequacies and crew actions.

They dissect known issues with the tires used on the aircraft. John shares his maintenance expertise to provide insight into pressure leak down issues and the unique stresses experienced by airplane tires. He shares signs of inadequate work done by the charter company maintenance department.

The National Transportation Safety Board report attributed the accident to tire bursts during take-off and the pilot's resulting decision to abort at high speed. This analysis also gives weight to the impact of loose operating procedures and pilot distraction or fatigue.

Accident or Crash?

Episode 87

Several recent airplane crashes appear to be the result of rusty pilots not following pre-flight checklists and best practices. John, Greg and Todd talk about the difference between accidents that are caused by some anomaly and crashes that result from intentional or negligent actions.

Initial information indicates that 2021 is rife with crashes. This episode examines emerging trends. They discuss initial information and investigative questions raised by several recent incidents.

John is congratulated for being named as a 2021 recipient of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award.  The award honors outstanding living Americans who, by their efforts over an extended period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.

Other news discussed includes potential changes in the top ranks of the NTSB and indications that the crash of MH370 was the result of murder-suicide with known details not fully shared with the public.

 

Digging into Cessna 421 Crash Reveals Missed Safety Issues

Episode 86

The NTSB has finished the investigation into a 2011 crash of a Cessna 421 but the Flight Safety Detectives have issues with the listed probable cause. Further investigation reveals a completely different root cause. Greg, John and Todd go through the details to reveal important aviation safety findings.

While the NTSB cited the failure of right engine cam gears, missed was evidence that the engine sustained a lightning strike. “The NTSB stopped at the obvious and didn’t dig deeper,” Greg notes.

They dissect the flight, the issues presented handling a fully loaded plane with one engine, known and unknown maintenance issues and much more. They provide safety benefits that are missing from the NTSB report. General aviation pilots will understand the importance of contingency planning to allow for smart decision making when issues crop up in flight.

Cape Air Crash Has Takeaways for All Pilots

Episode 85

The pilot and six passengers were injured when a Cape Air Cessna 402 crashed just past the runway of Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC) in Massachusetts on Sept 9. Information is just starting to be collected but Greg, John and Todd already see key takeaways to benefit every pilot.

The NTSB has launched an investigation. Questions to look at include the role of weather – did water on the runway impact an attempted landing? What does Flight Radar 24 and Flight Aware data offer and is the fidelity good enough to draw any conclusions? The flight was delayed at takeoff – what role did that play?

John, Greg and Todd explore the many questions and factors that could have played a role in the accident. The details to emerge so far indicate this event provides both commercial and general aviation pilots and mechanics with important takeaways.

Image credit: @DrewKaredes on Twitter

Ignoring Service Bulletins and ADs Can Lead to Tragedy

Episode 84

Ignore that seemingly mundane safety bulletin at your own peril. John, Greg and guest Jason Lukasik, president of JL2 Aviation Consultants and former FAA inspector, talk about the importance of knowing and acting on all levels of service instructions.

Three levels of service instructions are routinely issued for aircraft. Service letters are generally informational. Service Bulletins ask for a higher level of attention and action. Airworthiness Directives indicate a serious safety issue. John, Greg and Jason argue that each is worthy of attention because they all improve aircraft safety.

They share first-hand experiences of negative outcomes when service information is ignored or completed incorrectly. They argue that the time and cost needed to track and address these notices are important investments every airplane owner needs to make.

Special advice is offered for anyone in the market to purchase a plane. Some research and asking the right questions can go a long way to getting full disclosure on the status of all related service bulletins.

Drone Pilots Under Surveillance

Episode 83

Guest Jonathan Rupprecht of Rupprecht Law joins John and Todd for a discussion of a lawsuit related to recent FAA rulemaking involving drones. The new rule effectively puts drone pilots under surveillance and create significant limits on use.

Jonathan discusses his work with Tyler Brennan and RaceDayQuads to petition the FAA to reconsider the remote ID rule. The lawsuit is seeking to strike down the drone remote identification regulations as illegal.

The rule requires, among other things, that a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties.

Listen as they discuss the implications of the rule. Jonathan shares knowledge of related cases and Fourth Amendment concerns.

Chain of Events Leads to Tragic LAX Runway Accident

Episode 82

USAir Flight 1493, a Boeing 737-300, collided with SkyWest Flight 5569, a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner turboprop aircraft, upon landing at Los Angeles International Airport in Feb.1991. John led the machinist’s union investigation and discusses the chain of events that led to this accident.

The air traffic local controller was distracted by a series of abnormalities when Flight 1493 was on final approach. The SkyWest flight was told to taxi into takeoff position while the USAir flight was landing on the same runway. It was crushed under the 737.

The exit at the front of the Boeing were jammed and could not be opened. Other exit doors were also compromised, leaving the over wing exit as the only egress. The fuel ignited and caused an intense fire. All 12 people aboard the smaller plane were killed, as well as 23 occupants of the Boeing.

The machinist team found themselves having to stabilize the accident scene, working around many victims. They worked alongside other investigators as all the facts were gathered.

The National Transportation Safety Board found that the probable cause of the accident was the procedures in use at the LAX control tower and inadequate oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration for failing to supervise the control tower managers. The crash led directly to the NTSB's recommendation of using different runways for takeoffs and landings at LAX. It also led to changes in procedures for use of aircraft safety exits.

Greg and John also discuss content being shared online about recent accidents that is incorrect and misleading. The unsubstantiated conclusions being shared are doing a disservice to aviation safety. They stress that proper accident investigation takes time to dig into all the facts.

Inside the Investigation of Korean Air Flight 801

Episode 81

Greg was the investigator in charge of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation of Korean Air Flight 801. He shares backstories not in the report to add to understanding of the accident and aftermath.

Flight 801 crashed on August 6, 1997, killing 229of the 254 people aboard. The aircraft crashed on Nimitz Hill in Guam while on approach to the airport.The NTSB final report cites poor communication between the flight crew as probable cause for the air crash, along with the captain's poor decision-making.

Learn more about:

• Delays in response to the accident scene
• Allowing families to grieve at the site
• Training shortcomings
• Crew resource management issues
• Delays in decision making and execution

Greg shares details about the role of the minimum safe altitude warning system (MSAW), the partial outage of the Guam ILS system, and cultural factors that impeded cockpit dynamics.

Photo Credit:  Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael A. Meyers, U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 Recap

Episode 80

Oshkosh 2021 was an adventure! More than 600,000 people and 10,000 planes were onsite. Greg and John took it all in and share the highlights.

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital was a special exhibit. John had worked on the plane when it was in service for an airline. The Flying Eye Hospital is a state-of-the-art teaching facility complete with operating room, classroom and recovery room. Part of the innovation is a modular interior.

Several unique restored planes were on display. Greg talks about the plane from the 1950s Sky King television show. He also shares the fascinating history of a restored Aero Commander 500 that served as Air Force One to transport President Eisenhower to his Pennsylvania farm.

The event was well attended by Flight Safety Detectives listeners. Greg and John enjoyed meeting folks. Comments from those conversations and emails will be used to shape future shows. Expect to hear more about the nuts and bolts of accident investigation, dissections of lesser-known investigations and more!

John and Greg also examine 10 flight instruction related accidents that happened in a recent two-week period. They are looking for trends. Observations include lack of operational discipline, rusty skills following 2020 shutdowns, and over-reliance on technology.

TWA Flight 514 Lasting Impact on Aviation Safety

Episode 79

TWA Flight 514 crashed into Mount Weather in Virginia in 1974 and changed aviation safety forever. This accident led to the creation of the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).

The TWA 727 crash was due in part to ambiguous information provided to the crew. As a result of the accident, the FAA and NASA created ASRS. The ASRS lets aviation system users contribute lessons and safety issues. Information is used to resolve aviation system issues.

Keys to the success of the program include its voluntary nature, focus on safety, and immunity from sanctions for self-reported unintentional violations.

John, Greg and Todd also provide updates on the Trans Air crash in Hawaii and recent general aviation accidents.

Flight Safety Detectives is sponsored by PAMA and Avemco Insurance. Mention the Flight Safety Detectives podcast and receive a 5% discount!