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.
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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.

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 the 1995 crash 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.

The 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.
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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.