A pilot in training paid with her life when a flight instructor chose a poor location to practice engine failure maneuvers. John and Todd review the evidence collected following the air crash in California to offer flight safety advice.

Being a pilot is not easy. Pay attention to everything. Anticipate what could go wrong and have a plan.
In the 2017 accident reviewed in this episode, a flight instructor chose a mountainous area to teach simulated engine failures. Two students were aboard, one actively participating in the lesson and a second observing.

The poor choice of location created a real issue that led to a crash into the terrain. While the aircraft was largely intact, the rear passenger was killed.
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John and Todd talk about the decisions that led to this air crash. It’s not easy, but students should always be willing to fire their CFI or flight school when they encounter unsafe practices.

Spatial disorientation can happen to any pilot. It led to the fatal crashes that killed John F Kennedy Jr and Kobe Bryant. John, Greg and Todd are joined by expert Andy Watson to talk about ways pilots can avoid a deadly air crash.

Andy Watson is a professional air traffic controller, pilot, and author of the book, The Pilot’s Guide to Air Traffic Control. He describes the FAA accident briefing that led him to research spatial disorientation and develop practical recommendations to help avoid it.

Spatial disorientation can happen when pilot is in IFR conditions, banking left or right, and moving their head. This phenomenon is especially challenging for single pilots. Spatial disorientation is the contributing factor in many air crashes.
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Hear practical advice for all pilots. The discussion covers how to avoid spatial disorientation and how to work with air traffic control to get help when needed. Learn why the responses “standby” or “unable” are acceptable and could save your life.

Rapid decision making and impressive aviator skills saved Harrison Ford from a deadly result in a 2015 air crash. The Flight Safety Detectives review the facts that show that Ford had a clear plan and was decisive as he dealt with engine failure shortly after takeoff in his vintage plane.

Ford quickly determined that returning to the Santa Monica airport would not work. He landed on a golf course. The hard impact caused him serious injury but no one on the ground was hurt.

“Harrison Ford did everything right. He was mentally prepared and was able to put the aircraft down safely,” Greg Feith says.

The NTSB report shows clear evidence of Ford’s training and aviation skill. It also documents a defect with the engine carburetor that led to the loss of engine power.

Do antique planes still in use need more detailed maintenance procedures for continued airworthiness? The detectives suggest this might be one way to compensate for older maintenance manuals that are brief and incomplete.
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Listen for aviation safety takeaways for pilots and aircraft mechanics from this Harrison Ford accident.

PAMA, in coordination with its generous 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.

• Future AMT Professional Award, provided by PistonPower™ by AEPC™ (AeroEngine Protection Corp.)

          Two $1000 awards

• ​JSFirm.com Aviation Mechanic Student Award

         One $1500 award

• The Glenn McCauley Aviation Technician Award provided by the Ohio Aircraft Technicians Society

         One $1500 award for an AMT student currently residing in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky. 

• New Mexico Aero Education Aviation Mechanic Technician Student Award
  One $2000 award for AMT student currently attending Central New Mexico Community College or Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell​
  

Award winners will be announced at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Atlanta in April.

Applications must be submitted by March 1. 

Piston IA Renewal Series
January 12 - 13, 2023

Turbine IA Renewal Series
January 19 - 20, 2023

Rotorcraft IA Renewal Series
January 26-27, 2023

8am - 12pm Eastern Time, or 5 - 9pm Eastern Time

Receive up to 8 hours IA credit upon completion.

For more information and to register, please visit: ​https://www.concordebattery.com/training/ia-renewal-2023.html