Flight Safety Detectives

Air Safety Insights Comes Addressing the Whys the NTSB Misses

Episode 127

A look beyond the NTSB documentation of a Cessna 421C crash in Florida. Greg and John review the many important “whys’ not answered in the report.

Why did the pilot not properly follow procedures to handle engine failure despite completing a training program just 90 days earlier?

Why was a pilot who had recently completed a certified training program so ill prepared for handle an engine failure scenario?

Why was there loss of torque in several bolts and other internal engine damage?

“A lot of valuable safety information could have been uncovered and shared for the benefit of the industry, especially general aviation,” Greg says. John adds that the hesitation to dig into anything that happens inside the maintenance hangar prevents maintenance personnel from learning all they can from accidents.

Armed with the proper information and training, the pilot in this accident could have dealt with the engine failure, kept airspeed, and made a controlled landing. Greg and John want other pilots to benefit from these safety findings.

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.

Report for accident number ERA13FA082

Public docket for accident report ERA13FA082

Pilot Training Causes Fatal Cessna 421 Crash

Episode 126

Poor pilot training is a central cause of a Cessna 421C crash in Florida. The NTSB report documents the crash, but misses the opportunity to fully analyze the training failures. With the number of accidents that involve training issues on the rise, the Flight Safety Detectives dig into this accident to share important safety takeaways.

“The good news is that pilot training quality issues are on the radar of FAA inspectors,” John says. He and Greg agree that attention and improvements can’t come quick enough.

Many recent accidents show obvious training deficiencies among new and experienced pilots. John and Greg heard from many people at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that this is an issue that needs to be discussed.

This episode offers background information on a December 2012 crash in Florida. The pilot had 1200+ flight hours, and just 1.5 hours in the accident aircraft. Contributing issues include maintenance, operational, and training deficiencies. John and Greg set the stage to cover these in more detail in the next episode.

Many listeners visited with John, Greg and Todd at the Avemco booth at Oshkosh. The feedback will be used to shape future episodes. Don’t miss what’s to come - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.

Report for accident number ERA13FA082

Public docket for accident report ERA13FA082

Live from OshKosh – A Pilot’s Story of Disaster Averted

Episode 125

You never know what you will learn at the Avemco Insurance booth! John, Greg and Todd are at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. A conversation with a pilot and listener revealed a story of an air disaster averted that the Flight Safety Detectives had to share. Hear about Heather’s flight that resulted in a damaged prop and landing gear.

“I caption this story, ‘Am I really ready,’” says Greg. “It’s an important lesson every pilot and aspiring pilot needs to hear.”

Heather shares what happened during a solo flight to a new airport. It was her first straight in approach and a bounce on landing caused damage that she was initially unaware of. She’s examined what happened and shares what she did well as well as mistakes she doesn’t want other pilots to make.

This story could have been another air disaster, but instead offers important insights for anyone who wants to succeed in the cockpit.

Air Disasters in the Making?

Episode 124

John and Greg have get-real conversation about alarming trends in aviation safety. Accidents are increasing, even among experienced pilots. At the same time, the NTSB has scaled back on investigations and is issuing reports with superficial findings. Are more air disasters in the making?

Pilot shortages are leading to a push for training volume over quality. The college requirement has been removed and there is a push to reduce the flight hours for qualification.

“NTSB findings often talk about the importance of experience and pilot training but they have been silent now that there is a push to lessen the requirements,” Greg notes.

Listen as the Flight Safety Detectives outline many indicators that aviation safety is in jeopardy.

John and Greg will be at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. See them at the Avemco Insurance booth on Thursday, July 28 at 2 p.m.

 

Manufacturer Repair Failure Causes Air Crash – Episode 123

Covering the “sister” accident to the flight crash discussed in Episode 122, John, Greg and Todd focus on the role played by manufacturers in aviation safety and maintenance. The NTSB findings place the blame for this 1995 accident squarely with the propeller manufacturer and FAA oversight.

Nine of 29 people aboard the Embraer EMB-120RT were killed in the crash of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529. In-flight loss of the propeller blade led to the collision.

“This crash is the result of the failure of the process, training and management of the manufacturer’s maintenance and repair facility,” John summarizes.

This accident was the first investigation John was onsite for as a NTSB board member. One of the first items he noticed at the crash scene was the propeller crack that was ultimately determined to be the cause.

Greg adds details on findings that are also important to improving aviation safety: better communication between cockpit and cabin, and improvements in the design of the cockpit crash ax.

The episode concludes with an updated report from Todd’s return to flight. Hear what he found in a routine preflight inspection of a rental aircraft that led him to file a Freedom of Information Act request with the FAA.

Prop Design Causes Air Crash – Episode 122

A close look at the crash of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311. This 1991 accident brings focus to the importance of thorough and methodical inspection and maintenance beginning in the factory.

The flight started at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was headed to Brunswick, Georgia. The twin-turboprop Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia crashed just north of Brunswick while approaching the airport for landing. All 23 people aboard the plane were killed, including passengers NASA Astronaut Sonny Carter and former United States Senator John Tower.

The NTSB determined the cause was the design of the propeller. As the crew pulled the power back, the prop went to a position below flight idle, creating a wall that dramatically slowed the plane.

Hear details on the dynamics that led to the loss of control with insight only Greg and John can provide. They also dissect the certification process for airplane components that is supposed to ensure safety.

Many of the issues with certification discussed following the 737 Max crashes have parallels to the findings of this crash.

Air Crash Not an Accident Episode 121

Some air crashes are not really accidents. Todd and John characterize the focus of this week’s episode an event where a perfectly good airplane was destroyed.

“Some pilots have more money than brains, and this seems to be a case of that,” John says.

The 2021 air crash event involved a Cessna Citation flown by a single pilot. Although the pilot had experience in aviation, he had been denied a type rating for the plane and single pilot authorization by an Arizona flight school.

This fateful flight started in the Portland area. Before takeoff, the pilot was not fully responsive to air traffic control. That issue continued as the flight progressed to the Mount Hood area.

“Something was amiss and it wasn’t the aircraft,” Todd notes.

The flight ended with an extended spiral into the ground.

Also in this episode is advice related to restricted air space rules and risks and the need for student pilots to secure renter’s insurance.

Aviation Safety with the Flight Safety Foundatio

Episode 120

The efforts of the Flight Safety Foundation take center stage. Special guest is Jim Burin, former technical director at the Foundation and chairman of the award committee for the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award.

Greg and John highlight the many accomplishments of the foundation as an independent, international, and impartial non-profit that exists to champion the cause of aviation safety.

The Foundation works to identify global safety issues, set priorities and serve as a catalyst to address these concerns through data collection and information sharing. Foundation studies and publications serve as a key resource for the industry at all levels.

The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of aviation safety. John is a past recipient. The process of selecting the latest winners is underway. Learn more at https://flightsafety.org/foundation/aviation-awards/the-laura-taber-barbour-air-safety-award

FAA Takes Right Action Against Pilots in Recent Stunts

Episode 119

The Flight Safety Detectives take on two recent events where pilot stunts led the FAA to revoke their pilot certificates. Pilots are counted on for solid decision making and judgement. The FAA found that pilots failed in their duty to fly safely.

The FAA took the action when pilots Andy Farrington and Luke Aikins conducted a stunt for Red Bull that had been denied. In the other incident, Trevor Jacobs was penalized for staging a crash.

Greg, John and Todd share insight into where these pilots went astray. They talk about ways that they could have gotten online attention without jeopardizing safety.

“In the aviation industry we work to make every flight safe” Greg says. “These guys threatened aviation safety for no good reason.”

The detectives support the strong message sent by the FAA actions.

Celebrating Charlie Taylor and Aviation Maintenance Today

Episode 118

Charlie Taylor (1868 – 1956) was an American inventor, mechanic and machinist. John, Greg and Todd talk about the impacts of Taylor’s work in the earliest days of aviation.

Taylor built the first aircraft engine used by the Wright brothers in the Wright Flyer. He was a vital contributor of mechanical skills in the building and maintaining of early Wright engines and airplanes.

An unsung hero in his day, his contributions are now recognized and applauded. Aviation Maintenance Technician Day is observed on May 24, Taylor's birthday.

In 1902 Taylor was running the Wright brothers bike shop in Ohio and also the Wright Flyer. He would regularly make and ship parts to keep the brothers flying at their testing grounds on North Carolina.

Maintenance technicians today continue Taylor’s legacy. Hear about his trail blazing inventions and approaches that created the foundation of the aviation maintenance profession.

This episode also covers education and professional opportunities in aviation maintenance today.