The pilot was flying a recently purchased Piper PA24 Comanche that had been grounded for the previous 15 years. The accident pilot was an experienced and certified FAA mechanic. He had extensive experience flying Piper aircraft, but no significant experience flying the model of the accident aircraft.

Todd and John question the decision-making process of the accident pilot. Although the engine was sputtering, he took off. Although he was an experienced mechanic, he apparently did not do a full inspection of the engine. He attempted the “impossible turn,” a u-turn back to the airport that almost always results in stalling the engine.
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John and Todd review the information in the NTSB report of the accident. They highlight the aviation safety practices that could have avoided this crash.

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Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation email from Concorde Battery that gives you an overview of your selections – which seminar and what time block you will be attending.  You may also reference these details on the User Portal.  If you do not receive a confirmation email following registration please check your Junk Folder for this important communication. ​

Not too long ago, anyone who reported a UFO, or UAP as they are called today, was deemed crazy. The most likely follow up was a psychiatric exam. John Goglia and Todd Curtis report on the growing effort to systematically record and analyze these events.

A September 2023 NASA report from an independent study team recommended that NASA use the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) to support U.S. government efforts to understand unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and the effect on aviation safety. John and Todd offer detail on why the ASRS is an ideal tool for the job.

“Something is going on,” John says. “It is time we get a handle on it.”
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John and Todd also review previous Flight Safety Detectives episodes that discuss UAP events and the U.S. government’s evolving efforts to understand UAPs.

Special guest former NTSB Board Member Richard Healing and Greg Feith and John Goglia cover the recent fatal crash involving Richard McSpadden. McSpadden was executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Institute and a true champion of aviation safety.

“Richard contributed a lot to aviation safety, especially on the general aviation side,” Feith shares.

The number of accidents involving flight instruction is sky high right now. Healy discusses his ongoing work in researching aviation safety issues involving training flights. Among the findings – an alarming number of accidents caused by flight instructor error.

The discussion focuses on issues of operational discipline. From their days at the NTSB to current investigations, John, Greg and Dick have all found that neglecting the rules is a leading cause of flight issues.
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They make the case for some form of flight data recording in flight instruction aircraft. The investment could help instructors learn and provide better aviation safety data.