 Todd Curtis and John Goglia take a closer look at the crash of a Fairchild SA227-TT in Blountville, Tennessee that killed NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki and others. They bring to light why this plane crash wasn’t simply a story about bad weather.
On April 1, 1993, Kulwicki was flying to Tennessee to compete at Bristol Motor Speedway when the aircraft carrying him crashed during a night instrument approach. Kulwicki, the 1992 Winston Cup Champion, two other passengers, and the pilot were killed. An air traffic controller watched the aircraft descend in a spiraling descent shortly before it crashed short of the runway. Investigators determined that the pilot had not followed the manufacturer’s recommended procedures for operating in icing conditions. Todd and John examine the chain of decisions and conditions that led to the loss of control. They document the weather conditions surrounding the flight, including the forecast for icing at 7,500 feet while the aircraft cruised at 7,000 feet. John discusses research from the 1990s demonstrating just how rapidly ice can accumulate on an aircraft. They also explore a lesson that remains highly relevant to pilots today: weather information is never truly “live.” Even modern in-flight weather systems have delays. This tragic crash offers important lessons for pilots, aviation professionals. Anyone interested in understanding how seemingly manageable conditions can combine to create a deadly accident needs to watch this episode.
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 Marine One. A departing passenger jet. A communications failure. And a safety system that didn’t work as intended.
What really happened on August 4, 2026, when President Trump’s Marine One helicopter departed the White House area at almost the same time an Envoy Air Embraer E170 was taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport? In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, Todd Curtis and John Goglia take a close look at the NTSB’s preliminary report and what it reveals about one of the most closely watched aviation incidents of the year. Marine One flights are supposed to receive special handling: air traffic controllers should get a three-minute warning before the helicopter departs, allowing departing traffic at National Airport to be stopped. But on August 4, that warning never reached the controllers. The result? Marine One and the regional jet were airborne in the same area at the same time. Todd and John break down the communications failure, the unique challenges of operating around Reagan National, and why meeting the FAA’s minimum separation requirements isn’t necessarily enough when special procedures are supposed to protect a presidential helicopter. Todd also revisits several assumptions he and John made immediately after the incident. John brings a unique perspective from his years at the NTSB, explaining just how difficult it can be to manage the extraordinarily complex airspace around National Airport and why he believes more needs to be done to address the underlying safety challenges. And there’s an even bigger reason to pay attention: another Marine One communications problem occurred on August 27—just after the NTSB released its preliminary findings from the August 4 incident. What does this second communications problem tell us about whether the underlying safety issues have really been fixed? Watch this episode for Todd and John’s detailed analysis of the NTSB findings, the communication breakdown, the challenges of protecting the airspace around Reagan National, and the lessons aviation safety professionals should take from this incident. flight satefy detectives episode 344 - What We Know About the Aug 19 Carlisle Airport Crash9/2/2026  A fatal collision at Carlisle Airport in Pennsylvania on August 19 raises important questions about what happened in the final seconds of two aircraft sharing the same airspace.
In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, Todd Curtis and John Goglia examine the known facts surrounding the collision between a Cessna 150H and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407GX helicopter. The crash killed the Cessna pilot and injured both occupants of the police helicopter. The helicopter had completed its approach and was taxiing in a low hover just off the right side of the runway. Video of the accident sequence appears to show the Cessna pulling up sharply in the final seconds before the collision. Todd and John carefully walk through what is known about the accident and what remains unknown. The NTSB investigation is still in its early stages, and the Flight Safety Detectives emphasize the importance of separating established facts from speculation. What happened in those final moments? What information will investigators need to determine how the collision occurred? And what can—and can’t—be concluded at this stage? Watch as Todd and John break down the available facts while avoiding premature conclusions about the cause of the accident.  On March 22, 1992, a Fokker 28 aircraft operating USAir flight 405 crashed shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York, killing 25 of the 51 people who were on board the aircraft. John Goglia and Greg Feith meet with flight 405 survivor Bob Main for a powerful discussion.
Bob shares the remarkable story of his physical recovery—and the much longer, often overlooked journey that followed. He opens up about the psychological impact of surviving a catastrophic accident, as well as the challenges many survivors and their families face long after the wreckage is cleared. From intense media attention and reliving traumatic experiences during legal proceedings that can stretch on for years, to making difficult personal and professional decisions, Bob provides a candid look at what it really means to survive an aviation accident. John and Greg bring their own perspectives from the investigative side, drawing on their years at the NTSB and their careers in aviation safety. Together, they explore the human consequences of aviation accidents that aren’t always captured in accident reports. Bob published a book about his experiences in early 2026, reflecting on how the Flight 405 accident and everything that followed shaped the past 34 years of his life. This is more than a story about surviving a plane crash. It’s a powerful conversation about trauma, recovery, resilience, and what happens after the investigation ends. Watch this important episode and subscribe to Flight Safety Detectives for in-depth conversations about aviation accidents, investigations, safety, and the lessons that can help prevent future tragedies.  It’s hard to believe we’re already getting ready for our 5th Annual South Texas PAMA Gala!
VIEW SPONSORSHIPS & REGISTER Over the last five years, this event has grown into something we’re incredibly proud of, and that is entirely because of the support of our aviation community. Whether you’ve sponsored the Gala, attended, donated, volunteered, or simply helped us spread the word, thank you. This year, we’re introducing several brand-new Hosted Experience Sponsorships, along with bringing back the sponsorship opportunities that have helped make the Gala what it is today. We’ve also put a lot of thought into making this an even better night for our attendees, sponsors, and their guests. Here is all the event info: What hasn’t changed is why we do this. Every ticket, sponsorship and donation helps us continue investing in scholarships, education and opportunities for the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals. Sponsorships and registration are now open, and I hope you’ll join us on November 21st at the Lone Star Flight Museum. VIEW SPONSORSHIPS & REGISTER Thank you again for five incredible years of support. Let’s make this our best Gala yet. Best Regards, Chad M. Tew  A passenger’s video from the 8/8/2026 Delta Airlines Boeing 757 evacuation event in Atlanta reveals interesting details. Also on the episode, the recent discovery of the Pan Am flight 526A Douglas DC-4 wreckage from 1952 off the coast of Puerto Rico.John Goglia and Todd Curtis dissect the video with their deep understanding of aviation safety issues.
Two videos taken by passengers on board showed the professionalism of the flight crew and questionable choices by some passengers. Several people evacuated the aircraft with carry-on baggage. John and Todd discuss this long-standing issue in aviation and suggested that passengers plan their flight so that their most important items are always with them. In other news, a Pan Am DC4 airliner that crashed in 1952 near San Juan, Puerto Rico was recently found. The plane crashed following an engine failure. John discusses why budget issues and the fact that the Civil Aeronautics Board had already investigated this event would keep the NTSB from further investigating this accident. Hear whether this discovery might affect the chances of finding and recovering MH370.  Just days ago, Marine One took off from the White House carrying President Trump while an airliner was taking off from nearby Reagan National Airport. This event highlights unresolved air space issues made apparent by the fatal midair collision involving a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional airliner.
The FAA is typically notified, and controllers clear the airspace for Marine One. John Goglia and Todd Curtis share what happened in this latest event. They discuss the significant safety issues involved. The issues raised after the recent fatal collision in the same airspace clearly still need action. Also headlining this episode is the discovery of cracks found in 737 aircraft. The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive. The AD addresses structural issues with three models of the 737 and raises significant safety concerns about these aircraft. In July, the crew of a British Airways A320 overcame serious flight control issues shortly before landing at Heathrow Airport in London. The crew experienced two stall warnings in flight. This incident raises serious safety issues for this computer-controlled aircraft.  When is an aircraft truly airworthy? The answer is more complicated—and more important—than most pilots and aviation professionals realize.
Aviation safety experts Todd Curtis and John Goglia are joined by aviation attorney Sarah MacLeod and certification expert Mike Borfitz for a fascinating discussion about what airworthiness really means. Is an airplane airworthy simply because it matches an approved design, or does it also have to be safe to fly today? The panel dives into real-world aviation issues that affect pilots, mechanics, maintenance managers, manufacturers, and regulators every day:
Watch now to hear four aviation experts tackle one of the industry’s most misunderstood safety questions—and learn the habits that help keep aircraft, crews, and passengers safe. flight safety detective episode 339 - 737 Crash Details Emerging, Mental Health Bill Needs Attention8/3/2026  Greg Feith, John Goglia, and Todd Curtis, along with returning guest Mike Borfitz dig into the developing facts emerging related to the recent 737 crash in the northern Arabian Sea. As the wreckage is recovered, the Flight Safety Detectives are keen to learn about the plane’s history and maintenance records.
They also discuss a recent incident that appears to be a suicide. A flight instructor exited a Cessna 150 midflight, leaving his student to land the aircraft. The discussion focuses on pilot mental health and related legislation that is slowly working its way through Congress. Previous FSD mental health episodes: The discussion also covers engineering and maintenance careers in aviation. Mike’s engineering career includes work at Boeing and the FAA. Both Mike and John share experiences that made them knowledgeable about aviation and the roles they could play. Todd is also an engineer who has worked on the operational and manufacturing sides of aviation. flight safety detectives episode 338 - Young Aviation Enthusiast Examines Air Traffic Issues7/22/2026  Todd Curtis and John Goglia interview Rohan Guskin an aviation enthusiast whose experiences defy his young age. Guskin started flying at age 14 and is now 16. He is still too young to qualify for a pilot’s license but that has not stopped him from pursuing his passions.
Guskin’s experiences inside and outside the cockpit include an ambitious cross-country flight that took him and his instructor from the San Francisco Bay area, down the California coast, and over the ocean to Catalina Island. He describes the detailed preflight planning and the challenges he encountered during the flight. John and Todd examine with him a study he is conducting of air traffic separation of IFR and VFR aircraft around several California airports. Guskin has also shared his insights with a statewide association of pilots. Listen as they discuss the broader aviation community and the AIAA AVIATION 2026 conference, which took place in San Diego in June 2026. Next year, after Guskin graduates from high school, he aspires to earn an aerospace engineering degree and become an aviation professional. |
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