 Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the details in the NTSB preliminary accident report about the March 22, 2026 fatal collision between an Air Canada Jazz regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The preliminary report offers a detailed timeline of the key events in the minutes before the accident.
The airliner struck a fire truck that was leading six other emergency vehicles across an active runway to deal with an emergency situation. The fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway. Shortly before the truck entered the runway, a controller ordered the fire truck to stop, but the truck entered the runway and collided with the airliner. John has four key questions that he wants the NTSB to address in the final report:
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Steve Poiani, FAA-certificated A&P mechanic, former U.S. Air Force aircraft maintainer, FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, and doctoral candidate in Aviation with a specialization in Human Factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is conducting an IRB-approved research study examining how Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) describe decision-making during troubleshooting, inspections, and repairs in Part 121 and Part 135 operations.
With nearly 40 years of aircraft maintenance and aviation safety experience, Steve’s research focuses on understanding the operational and cognitive factors that influence real-world maintenance decision-making. The study is seeking currently employed Part 121 and Part 135 AMTs who: • Are at least 18 years old • Have a minimum of one year of aircraft maintenance experience Participation involves one confidential 60 to 75 minute virtual or phone interview discussing decision-making in real-world maintenance experiences. No proprietary, sensitive, or classified information will be requested. Participation is voluntary and confidential. This research is conducted solely in an academic capacity and is not affiliated with or conducted on behalf of the FAA. To learn more or volunteer to participate, please contact: Steve Poiani at [email protected] https://sites.google.com/view/aircraftmaintenancestudy/home  In this recording of April’s livestream, Todd Curtis and John Goglia focus on all things related to aviation mechanics. John and Todd just completed their participation at the latest AMC MRO maintenance competition and they share the unique perspectives on the past, present and future of A&P mechanics.
👉 Hear what more than 500 competitors from across the globe achieved at the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council competition. 👉 Understand how the current shortage will impact everyone from the largest airlines to general aviation pilots. 👉 Hiring! A&P mechanic skills are valued in aviation and many other industries. John and Todd also have an update on the recent accident at LaGuardia airport. The focus is on the roles played by air traffic controllers and transponders for managing ground traffic. Flight Safety Detective channel members participated live and had questions about Air India 171 and much more! Join one of our favorite events of the year — the South Texas PAMA Crawfish Bash & Family Day.
This year, instead of participating in the Texas City “Big Crawfish Bash,” we’ve decided to host our own event — built specifically for the South Texas aviation community and our families. The goal is simple: create a better, more personal experience where we can all connect, relax, and enjoy the day together. 📅 Date: Saturday, May 30 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM 📍 Location: North Shore Rotary Pavilion 14350 1/2 Wallisville Rd Houston, TX 77049 What to Expect
This event is free for South Texas aviation professionals and their families — just make sure to RSVP so we can plan accordingly. 👉 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/MMFPXvsxuz4Hq4Td6 Please RSVP by May 25 Cornhole Tournament
Sponsors We’ll have a limited number of sponsor opportunities available for those who want to help cover costs. If you’re interested, just reach out to me directly and I’ll get you the details. This isn’t a fundraiser — it’s a chance to bring the aviation community together, spend time with our families, and enjoy a great day. Hope to see you out there. Best Regards, Chad M. Tew STX PAMA Board Chair  Todd Curtis and John Goglia did some digging beyond the official investigation of the tragic March 22, 2026 collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada regional jet and an airport fire truck operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
This incident raises serious questions about airport ground safety—and what they have found may surprise you. John digs into critical factors that could have contributed to the accident, including: – Why the fire truck may not have been visible on radar – How the lack of a transponder on emergency vehicles can create blind spots – Whether runway lighting and visibility played a role – The potential impact of color vision on interpreting critical warning signals Despite having ground surveillance systems in place, air traffic controllers reportedly saw only two targets instead of seven separate vehicles. So what went wrong? Could something as simple as visibility—or even color perception—have made the difference between a safe crossing and a fatal mistake? This is a must-watch breakdown for pilots, aviation professionals, and anyone interested in how complex systems can fail under pressure. 👉 Watch now to understand the hidden risks on the runway—and what this accident could mean for the future of airport safety.  A national Job Satisfaction Survey is being conducted by Carol Valentino-Barry, Founder of Mentoring Mission, as part of ongoing research to better understand the lived experience of working aircraft mechanics and strengthen future training pathways.
FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technicians are invited to participate in a short, anonymous survey. Survey details:
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania (April 24, 2026) - JSfirm.com proudly presents this year’s PAMA Scholarship winner at Aviation Week Network’s MRO Americas in Orlando to Ivan Moon. Moon was announced during the Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
PAMA, in coordination with its industry partners, has made available award opportunities for current and future aviation maintenance professionals. Awards are provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students and may be used toward the purchase of tools, tuition, or other education-related expenses. This year’s PAMA Scholarship winner, Ivan Moon, a current student at Liberty University, has already achieved an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology from Eastern New Mexico University, where he graduated with Honors in the spring of 2025. His lifelong passion for aviation was sparked by his father, an aviation mechanic structural chief in the United States Navy. Moon has proudly served for 27 years in the United States Army. As he approaches retirement from the military in the next few years, his ambitions are firmly set on joining the Air Methods team. Moon said, “This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me complete my bachelor’s degree, providing the final educational pillar needed to achieve my goal of serving my community and ensuring the highest standards of safety in civilian aviation.” Abbey Hutter, Executive Director of JSfirm.com, said, “We’ve proudly sponsored the PAMA scholarship for many years, and each year we look forward to getting to know the recipient. Supporting these students as they prepare for careers in the aviation industry is something we truly value.” ______________________________________________________________________ About JSfirm.com JSfirm.com continues to be the world’s largest resource for aviation jobs with resume database access and has exclusively served the aviation industry for over 25 years. It is a free service for job seekers and an out-of-this-world place for aviation companies to post jobs and search resumes. Please contact us at 724-547-6203.  Are rising airport fees quietly reshaping the future of pilot training and harming aviation safety?
Controversial proposed landing fee increases at two airports in Mesa, Arizona could have ripple effects nationwide as more airports adopt user fees. What may look like a routine pricing update could significantly impact flight schools, student pilots, and the overall pilot training environment. John Goglia, Greg Feith and Todd Curtis dive into a critical safety concern. As costs rise, pilots may shift training to less expensive, uncontrolled airports where they will miss out on essential real-world experience communicating with air traffic control. That tradeoff could have real safety implications. John brings insider perspective from his work with airport authorities, revealing how fee structures don’t always align with the needs of pilots and aviation businesses. Together, the hosts explore how local financial decisions can unintentionally alter training quality, traffic patterns, and ultimately, aviation safety. If you care about the future of flight training, airport policy, or aviation safety, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.  The aviation industry is facing a critical challenge—the growing shortage of aviation mechanics. Todd Curtis and John Goglia break down what’s driving it and why it matters now more than ever.
From an aging workforce to surging global demand for air travel, the need for skilled technicians is reshaping the future of aviation careers. Go inside the high-energy Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC), where students, military teams, and industry pros compete head-to-head in real-world technical challenges. Top employers are also there actively scouting their next hires. As airlines boost pay to attract talent, general aviation is feeling the strain. This has led to maintenance delays and impacts on flight training. Todd and John explore what this means for the broader industry and why now might be the perfect time to enter the field. If you’re curious about aviation careers and the future of air travel, this episode offers a compelling look at where the industry is headed and how you can be part of it. Flight Safety Detectives Episode 323 - Behind the Scenes of a Real Aviation Accident Investigation4/8/2026  Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis take you inside the critical first day of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. Using the recent runway collision at LaGuardia Airport as a case study, they break down the unique challenges investigators face from the moment an accident occurs.
You’ll hear how the NTSB “Go Team” mobilizes—often from different corners of the country—and what happens when key personnel are delayed. Greg shares insights from his experience as an Investigator in Charge (IIC), including supporting leadership on scene and preparing officials for high-stakes press briefings where every word matters. Get insider insight that only Greg and John can provide: ⚠️Why public communication must be precise, fact-based, and carefully controlled ⚠️How early decisions determine which parties join the investigation ⚠️When and why an accident investigation can shift into a criminal case ⚠️The evolving roles of agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Hear the behind-the-scenes information from TWA Flight 800 crash and the ValuJet Flight 592 crash that shows how complex, resource-intensive investigations uncover critical truths that aren’t always visible on day one. Whether you’re an aviation professional, safety enthusiast, or just curious about how major investigations unfold, this episode offers a rare, insider perspective. |
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