The investigation is ongoing related to a Dec 2021 fatal crash involving a Cessna 208B and a powered glider. Both pilots were fatally injured in the accident that appears to have happened when the glider was higher than permitted altitude. The impact separated the plane’s right wing.

The Cessna was operated as a Part 135 cargo flight, and the powered paraglider was operated as a Part 103 personal flight. Greg says all indicators were that the Cessna pilot was doing routine cruise altitude operations and never saw the motor glider.

Greg, John and Todd examine the information released by the NTSB. They also talk about other incidents with pilots experiencing non-traditional aircraft creating hazards to aviation.
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They call for all pilots to follow the rules of the aircraft they are flying to ensure their own safety as well as others in the sky.

Efforts continue to get to the bottom of the crash of MH 370. Eight years after the crash, John and Todd are in touch with the people who are working to find the wreckage and uncover the facts. Get the Malaysian Flight 370 crash update.

John shares the latest developments from a group in Australia advocating to move the search area to the south. Hear the evidence that points to the crash being a murder/suicide event.

Sanctions on Russian commercial aircraft and planes operated by Russian interests are in the news. Companies that provide support are cutting ties. Aircraft leases are being canceled.
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Todd shares an update on his effort to update his pilot certification. His goal is to earn an instrument rating in a glass cockpit.

“One of the biggest changes is that the technology that was in airliners in the 1980s is now in general aviation aircraft,” Todd says. “I have a new perspective on the challenges general aviation pilots face with new technologies and systems.”

Aviation is in the news and the headlines are tragic. The Ukraine crisis poses new risks for commercial aviation safety. Fatal general aviation accidents are on the rise. Netflix’s “Downfall – the Case Against Boeing” chooses emotion over facts. The FAA administrator’s sudden resignation adds to the turmoil.

Greg, John and Todd share their insights into these and other current events. They recommit to the mission of improving aviation safety at all levels. They invite listeners to suggest topics.

“We could to this show every day and not keep up with events. But we will keep sharing information to improve aviation safety,” says John Goglia.
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Todd’s commitment has brought him back into the cockpit. He’s learning to fly again to experience the technologies, tools and information available for general aviation. Hear how he’s going about renewing his pilot skills and certifications.

Dissecting the fatal crash of a Cirrus SR20 near Hobby Airport in Texas. This accident highlights the value of careful preflight planning.

“Solid preplanning leaves nothing to chance, and that would have made a difference here,” says John Goglia.

While the pilot had experience with the aircraft, her experience landing at a high traffic airports is less clear. John and Greg wonder if another pilot in the cockpit or a plan to land at a less constrained airport could have made a difference.

Other factors covered include medication found in the pilot toxicology report, confusing instructions provided by air traffic controllers and excessive maneuvering required over a 20-minute period. Get an analysis that gives insight beyond the NTSB findings summarized at the Kathryn’s Report website.
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Also hear preliminary details of recent high-profile helicopter crashes in Florida and California.

Greg and John are all over the news reports of the proposed merger of Frontier and Spirit airlines. Both companies have low customer satisfaction ratings. Will the combination create a larger poor performing airline or lead to safety improvements?

The conversation covers the back stories of several past commercial airline mergers. They share inside knowledge of issues and crashes that happened during and soon after mergers. As employees adjust to new procedures and operations, attention can be taken away from safety.
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The episode also covers a disturbing trend in general aviation. Pilots without the proper skills, abilities and knowledge seem to be counting on technology and automation to keep them safe. The result is an alarming number of accidents.

The event is FREE and will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club in Newark, Delaware.

Speakers include PAMA's own, The Honorable John Goglia, and representatives from Concord Battery, Honeywell, Good Year, Dassault, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The conference is approved for 8 hours of IA renewal credit. Door prizes, breakfast, lunch, and post-event cocktails will also be provided.

Register to attend at firststatepama.com/.

Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information contact First State President John Agnew at admin@firststatepama.com or 302-983-0042.

The NTSB final report related to a Cessna 172 crash has Greg, John and Todd concluding that pilots and mechanics are being led to focus on the wrong safety problems. Chasing the wrong issues is stalling advances in aviation safety.

This accident is cited as the basis for a NTSB safety recommendation to add active carbon monoxide detectors to all general aviation aircraft. However, the accident details tell a completely different safety story.
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“Once again, the NTSB has stopped their investigation at the hangar door,” says John. “They are not doing the in-depth analysis of maintenance issues that will help GA pilots and mechanics to do better.”
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The flight safety detectives explore the real issues behind the accident. The tie the facts and details to do the analysis lacking in the NTSB investigation and report. Their probable cause: systemic noncompliance.

United Airlines just launched its own flight school. Does United Aviate Academy offer a better option for would-be pilots than college aviation programs?

Greg, John and Todd share first impressions. The program appears to be more expensive than other ways of earning pilot credentials and stops short of ATP certification.

They talk about why the program may be better or worse than college programs and private flight schools.

The new road rage? The Flight Safety Detectives also talk about the continued incidents of cabin disruptions caused by passengers who refuse to comply with federal mask mandates. Flights are being turned back, risking the safety of crew and passengers.
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From the WTF files, Greg shares a recent incident where a pilot in NC swerved to miss a coyote, left the runway and hit a sign. What would you do – hit the sign or take out the coyote?

Even high-profile crashes can result in NTSB reports that miss important safety takeaways. The focus of this episode is the October 2002 crash that killed Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others. John, Greg, Todd and guest Dick Healing talk about facts that played a much greater role in the accident than the listed probable cause.

“There is no question that contributing factors were poor practices by the operator,” Healing says.
The charter operator’s organizational deficiencies set this flight up for failure before takeoff.

• Pairing of two pilots with questionable skills
• Lack of equipment such as cockpit recorders and proper manuals
• Questionable FAA oversight

While the NTSB has highlighted these issues in final reports for large carrier accidents, they are only found in the docket of this investigation.
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Listen to hear many findings not found in the report that are essential to air safety.

Greg, John and Todd have a lively conversation triggered by the recent announcement from Delta Airlines that pilots no longer need a college education. Will this impact aviation safety?

“I know a lot of pilots that know aviation but don’t understand aviation,” says Greg. He adds that investigating the results of their poor decisions keeps him busy as a safety investigator.

The question at the center of the debate is what is needed to equip pilots to make the decisions and have the maturity that are needed for success. Is a college education a worthy process to make sure that only the most qualified people wind up in the cockpit?
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Listen to the debate and add your thoughts. Should all airline pilots be required to have a college education?