Best flightsafetydetectives Podcasts (2025)

1
Mitsubishi MU-2 Crash Follows Missed Approach - Episode 267 32:44

3d ago32:44

32:44

An experienced pilot with multiple ratings lost control of his Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft and crashed after a missed approach. Greg Feith, Todd Curtis and John Goglia look at the facts surrounding this incident that killed six. ADS-B information broadcast by the plane shows a missed approach followed by an unusual second attempt. Rather than flying t…

1
Manhattan Tragedy: Sightseeing Helicopter Crash - Episode 266 34:54

10d ago34:54

34:54

Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss a fatal air tour helicopter crash near New York City that killed all six people on board, including a family of five from Spain. They examine several witness videos plus ADS-S data in their analysis. The crash happened on April 10, 2025, three days before this episode was recorded. The flight was apparently routi…

1
Inflight Icing Examined in Fatal TBM 700 Plane Crash - Episode 265 46:15

18d ago46:15

46:15

Inflight icing may have been a factor in the recent fatal crash of a TBM 700. Relying on publicly available ADS-B data and video from a nearby home, Todd Curtis, John Goglia, and Greg Feith discuss icing and other issues that may have affected the pilot and the aircraft. The TBM 700, a single-engine turboprop aircraft, crashed outside of Minneapoli…

1
Just Released! Report on Plane Crash in Toronto Examined - Episode 264 36:32

25d ago36:32

36:32

The preliminary accident report on the February crash of the Endeavor Air CRJ-900 in Toronto, Canada has just been released. John Goglia, Todd Curtis and Greg Feith examine the facts provided as well as the gaps in information that still exist. The reported descent rate at touchdown was very close to the descent rate the detectives estimated based …

1
Engine Trend Monitoring as a Safety Tool - Episode 263 23:00

1M ago23:00

23:00

The investigation of a 2023 Beechcraft Bonanza in Brazil led to an unusual recommendation. The Brazilian authorities find that an engine trend monitoring program could have prevented the accident. In this event, the pilot made a successful off-field landing after the engine failed. The investigation found that the failure was due to a leak in the m…

1
The Ultimate Insider Discussion of Today’s Media and Aviation Safety - Episode 262 1:01:05

1M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Travel journalist Peter Greenberg joins Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia for a wide-ranging look at current aviation topics. Peter is a longtime safety advocate and host of the PBS series "The Travel Detective.” Hear as these four experts cover the hottest topics in aviation safety. Ironically, the U.S. has just marked the 30 safest years s…

1
Landing Gear Failure Leads to Fatal Plane Crash - Episode 261 36:28

2M ago36:28

36:28

An examination of the preliminary NTSB report of a February 10, 2025 crash of a Learjet 35 that killed the pilot. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia examine the issues with the landing gear that caused the accident. The flight crew was conducting a normal approach and was apparently unaware that the left main landing gear had failed. Witness …

1
Is it Safe to Fly? - Episode 260 47:34

2M ago47:34

47:34

A look at several recent high-profile aviation accidents. Although flying is much less risky than decades ago, crashes change the public's opinion about aviation safety. It now feels less safe to fly. The February 17 crash in Toronto of an Endeavor Airlines CRJ-900 operating as a Delta Air Lines regional flight gets particular emphasis. Todd Curtis…

1
Drone Pilot Guilty of Far More than Aircraft Damage - Episode 259 19:46

2M ago19:46

19:46

The pilot of the drone that damaged a firefighting aircraft has pled guilty to causing the damage that grounded the Candian SuperScooper for several days. The event was detailed in Episode 253. The pilot, a successful video game developer, paid over $65,000 to repair the aircraft, will reimburse the government Quebec for additional costs, and faces…

1
The Aftermath of the DC Mid-Air Collision - Episode 258 35:35

2M ago35:35

35:35

The midair collision between an airliner and a military helicopter in Washington D.C. has led to actions that may hinder aviation safety and national security. And, it has highlighted issues caused by the current air traffic control system as well as vacant leadership positions at the FAA. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis talk about the avia…

1
UAVs, Advanced Air Mobility and Crowded Air Space - Episode 257 51:15

2M ago51:15

51:15

Nick Lappos, former Vietnam AH-1 Cobra helicopter pilot and Lockheed Martin Senior Fellow for Rotary and Mission Systems, offers insights on the future of air mobility. The focus is on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced air mobility (AAM). Nick was part of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) certification task fo…

1
767 Encounters UAP - Episode 256 32:22

3M ago32:22

32:22

Details emerge of a possible encounter between a 767 and about 25 unidentified UAP flying near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The plane was headed from JFK to LAX. The UAS followed the aircraft at high altitude for about an hour over hundreds of miles. The FAA or some other organization needs to investigate events like this to assess credible risks and ensu…

1
Dale Earnhardt Jr Survives Air Crash Caused by Bad Pilot Decisions - Episode 255 33:48

3M ago33:48

33:48

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family survived the August 15, 2019 crash of a Cessna Citation Latitude jet caused by bad pilot decisions. John Goglia, Greg Feith and Todd Curtis go beyond the NTSB report to explore what led to an “unstabilized, ridiculously fast” landing that destroyed the aircraft. Both crew members had hundreds of hours…

1
Lax Maintenance Practices Kills 2 in Cessna Crash - Episode 254 36:32

3M ago36:32

36:32

Lax oversight by the FAA and questionable maintenance practices by both a flight school and the previous owner of a Cessna 172P aircraft led to a fatal plane crash. The Flight Safety Detectives find this is another aviation disaster that could have been avoided. The NTSB report points to a corroded aileron control cable that failed just after takeo…

1
LA Firefighting Aircraft Grounded by Illegal Drone Activity - Episode 253 25:03

3M ago25:03

25:03

A midair collision between a private drone and an aircraft fighting the Los Angeles area fires caused damage to the plane and an evacuation of all firefighting aircraft from the area. John Goglia and Todd Curtis explore the tragic effect on firefighting as well as the violations of aviation rules. This event was a major setback in firefighting effo…

1
Hair-Raising UAP Encounter Shared by Pilot - Episode 252 42:48

4M ago42:48

42:48

Sailplane pilot Bob Pett had a close encounter with an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) that exhibited extraordinary speed and maneuverability. Bob shares the experience with John Goglia and Todd Curtis in his first public statement about the encounter. While the first UAP flew in close formation off his left wing during the encounter, two simi…

1
Attack of the Drones? - Episode 251 26:01

4M ago26:01

26:01

A wave of drone sightings are being reported throughout New Jersey and metropolitan New York, including flights over military installations and critical infrastructure. Drones are now part of battlefields. Are we under attack? Todd Curtis and John Goglia look at the facts of the recent drone sightings. Some video clearly shows airplanes in flight. …

1
Ricky Nelson Plane Crash - What Caused the Fire? - Episode 250 22:40

4M ago22:40

22:40

Fire and smoke led to the crash of a Douglas DC3 that killed signer Ricky Nelson and six others. To this day, rumors surround this 1985 deadly crash. Todd Curtis and John Goglia dig in to analyze the known facts. Among the rumors they explore is one that suggests that Ricky Nelson and other passengers may have caused a fire while using drugs in the…

1
Is It Safe to Fly Qantas? - Episode 249 30:59

5M ago30:59

30:59

Is Qantas Airlines safe? Two recent events have led the Australian media and others to raise that question. The first safety issue was in November 2024. A tool was left in the engine of a Qantas A380 for nearly a month before it was discovered. A few days later, a Qantas 737 had an engine failure while taking off from Sydney. The Australian media c…

1
First Fatality Involving HondaJet - Episode 247 37:20

5M ago37:20

37:20

The first fatal HondaJet accident just occurred. Greg Feith and John Goglia go over the known facts of the air crash in Mesa, Arizona on November 5. The jet ran off the runway and struck a car on a nearby road, killing the driver and four of the five people on board the jet. They draw similarities with a 2014 takeoff accident involving a Gulfstream…

1
U.S. Army UH-1 Huey Helicopter Crash Kills 6- Episode 246 27:07

6M ago27:07

27:07

A U.S. Army UH-1 Huey helicopter survived the perils of Vietnam but came to a disastrous end in West Virginia. The 1962 helicopter crashed after its engine failed, killing the pilot and five passengers. The 2022 crash happened during an annual event that offers visitors an opportunity to fly either as passengers or as a second pilot. This helicopte…

1
Drone Accident and A First for the National Aviation Hall of Fame- Episode 245 22:36

6M ago22:36

22:36

Flight Safety Detectives host John Goglia will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, a rare accomplishment in aviation. John is the first person whose career was focused on aviation maintenance to be selected. John Goglia and Todd Curtis talk about the honor before diving into a recent drone accident in Boston that injured two people…

1
Bad Fuel Line Causes Engine Fire & Crash - Episode 244 32:53

6M ago32:53

32:53

A fatal Piper PA-28-300 plane crash was caused by a loose fuel line that should never have been installed on the aircraft. The NTSB investigation of the fatal May 2018 crash shows that a fuel line that was not approved for use on that aircraft led to an engine fire. Todd Curtis and John Goglia examine the details. Although the fuel line used was an…

1
Another Disappointing Training Accident Report - Episode 243 38:14

6M ago38:14

38:14

Another flight training accident, another lacking NTSB report. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia discuss the NTSB report of a fatal June 2021 flight training accident near Indianapolis that lacks useful details or analysis. The accident aircraft was Diamond DA40 with an instructor and student on board. The instructor had received a CFI certi…

1
Aircraft Cabin Materials Cause Deadly Gases - Episode 242 33:30

6M ago33:30

33:30

Aviation around the world changed as a result of the fatal accident involving Air Canada Flight 797. The investigation led to massive changes to the materials inside the cabins of commercial aircraft. On June 2, 1983, the DC9-32 on a routine flight from Dallas to Toronto had an inflight smoke event that led to an emergency landing in Cincinnati. As…

1
Fatal Crashes Traced to Cirrus Pilots - Episode 241 37:42

7M ago37:42

37:42

Two recent Cirrus accidents killed a total of seven people. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis have some advice for Cirrus pilots to avoid similar tragedies. They caution newer technology supports, but is not a replacement for, good planning and pilot decision-making. One accident at Kill Devil Hills airport in North Carolina, killed four adul…

1
Report on Fatal Air Crash Leaves Cause a Mystery - Episode 240 40:09

7M ago40:09

40:09

Fight instructor-related accidents and check ride failures at all levels of certificates and ratings are on the rise. Why? Insights are hard to come by. The report on a February 24, 2024 fatal training flight in South Africa that killed the student pilot and the instructor does nothing to help that issue. The Flight Safety Detectives’ analysis of t…

1
Anxiety in Flight Turns Deadly - Episode 239 16:37

7M ago16:37

16:37

A second-in-command pilot left the cockpit and either jumped or fell out of an open rear cargo door of a CASA 212 aircraft flying over North Carolina. Digging into the details reveals he was self-medicating for anxiety and he may have been overcome by agitation during flight. In this 2022 event, the main landing gear was damaged when the plane that…

1
Critical Aviation Safety Issues Emerge from Voepass ATR72 Accident - Episode 238 52:10

7M ago52:10

52:10

The preliminary accident report on the August 9, 2024 crash of a Voepass ATR72 near Sao Paolo, Brazil has just been issued. John Goglia, Todd Curtis and Greg Feith apply their expertise to examine the findings and critical aviation safety issues. The report has detailed facts, including a summary of the flight, but several key pieces of information…

1
When Mooney Airplane Doors Open in Flight - Episode 237 28:02

8M ago28:02

28:02

In March, a Mooney airplane door opened in flight, causing a loss of control and two fatalities. Todd and John examine this incident and three other Mooney events. Instead of a fault with Mooney aircraft, they find a pattern of very experienced pilots having issues and crashing when a passenger or baggage door opens in flight. Doors open in flight …

1
Takeaways from AirVenture 2024 - Episode 236 15:05

8M ago15:05

15:05

Get the highlights of the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! Hundreds of thousands of attendees attended the multi-day event. All sectors of aviation were represented, from the military to general aviation, from exotic and experimental aircraft to flight demonstrations by military and civilian aircraft. John …

1
Brazilian Aviation Woes: VoePass Deadly Crash & ATC Comms Issues - Episode 235 41:25

8M ago41:25

41:25

What led to the deadly crash of a Voepass Linhas Aereas in August? Video of the flight's final moments show the aircraft rapidly descending in a flat spin. Early reports on the accident mention that icing conditions were present in the area at the time of the crash. Recovering from a spin in a large airliner is a significant challenge for pilots. U…

1
Use ASRS to Report UAP and UFO Encounters - Episode 234 52:33

9M ago52:33

52:33

NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) can be used by pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and others in the aviation safety community to report UAP or UFO encounters without revealing their identity or the identity of their employers. Todd Curtis discussed this in a June 2024 presentation at the Contact in the Desert Conference in Palm Sp…

1
NTSB Party System Scrutinized - Episode 233 42:27

9M ago42:27

42:27

Issues from the NTSB investigation of a 2023 railroad accident are used to discuss the voluntary party system. The system is designed to encourage cooperative efforts in an investigation, which does not always work. In the party system, an organization or an individual with relevant expertise or information is invited to participate directly in an …

1
Fireworks on a Helicopter Lead to Federal Charges- Episode 232 22:10

9M ago22:10

22:10

A YouTube video showing fireworks fired from a low-flying helicopter at a speeding Lamborghini has led to federal charges for the creator. Suk Min Choi was charged in June by the U.S. Department of Justice with one count of causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft. At least four other people were involved, including…

1
Midair Collision Between Cessna 172 and Dash 8 Highlights Aviation Safety Concerns in Mixed-Use Airports- Episode 231 29:13

9M ago29:13

29:13

A fatal midair collision involving a Cessna 172 illustrates several aviation safety concerns related to pilot training in and around airports with commercial operations. The incident involved a student and instructor on board performing touch-and-go landings and a Dash 8 departing on a passenger flight. While the event happened in Kenya, the circum…

1
How to Fix Quality Issues at Boeing - Episode 230 47:15

9M ago47:15

47:15

Boeing should use a third-party organization that would act on behalf of the FAA to monitor the design and production of its aircraft. That’s the proposal of special guest and Kilroy Aviation CEO Mike Borfitz published in a June 28, 2024 editorial in Aviation Daily. This kind of oversight had been provided in the past by Boeing employees who acted …

1
The Insidious Passenger and Pilot Killer - Episode 229 35:02

10M ago35:02

35:02

Hypoxia is a significant danger in aviation and an insidious killer of passengers and pilots. Special guest Miles O'Brien hosts a discussion with aviation experts Todd Curtis, Greg Feith, and John Goglia that covers how hypoxia impacts all forms of aviation. They discuss personal experiences with hypoxia and share insights from several hypoxia-rela…

1
Dangers of Turbulence - Episode 228 31:22

10M ago31:22

31:22

Planes that experience turbulence in flight are getting a lot of headline attention lately. During one widely covered incident of turbulence in May 2024 a passenger aboard a Singapore Airlines flight was killed. Serious turbulence leading to injuries is not uncommon. Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss several notable in-flight turbulence events, i…

1
Criminalization Threatens Aviation Safety - Episode 227 44:57

10M ago44:57

44:57

As Boeing continues to be the subject of investigations and congressional hearings the concept of criminalization has come to the forefront. This could have a devastating impact on aviation safety in the U.S. Special guest and aviation attorney Mark Dombroff focuses on efforts to criminalize the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents. Th…

1
Missing Equipment and Inexperience Lead to Plane Crash - Episode 226 22:29

10M ago22:29

22:29

Missing equipment and inexperience led to a plane crash that killed 3. Precipitation, turbulence, and icing were factors in the crash of a Piper PA-30 Comanche in Oklahoma. The pilot did not have an instrument certification and was not able to handle the conditions. The pilot had a private pilot and multiengine rating but did not have instrument tr…

1
Fourth Incident for Hughes 369 Helicopter Proves Fatal - Episode 225 30:32

11M ago30:32

30:32

The fatal crash of Hughes 369 helicopter being used to trim trees has a backstory that gives insight into what went wrong. This workhorse of a helicopter apparently had damage from previous incidents. The NTSB investigation found cracks in an engine mount that were likely present before the crash. John Goglia and Todd Curtis look beyond the fatal a…

1
Training Flight Disaster - Episode 224 24:04

11M ago24:04

24:04

Training flight gone wrong! An examination of a February 2024 accident that involved an unstable approach, a tail strike, and a near collision with an airplane hanger. Both the instructor and student involved in the Cessna 172 accident survived. Their account of the event provides insights into how a routine training flight turned into a near disas…

1
Electrical Failure Leads to 727 Crash in Pacific Ocean - Episode 223 45:44

11M ago45:44

45:44

The crew of a United Airlines 727 tried to turn back shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles, but did not make it back to the airport. The plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Greg Feith, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia discuss the crash of the 727-22QC in 1969. Electrical failures and electrical system design contributed to the plane crash. The accid…

1
$4 Million Mistake on Air Force One - Episode 222 28:27

11M ago28:27

28:27

Oil and oxygen don’t mix on airplanes. A crew doing maintenance on the Air Force One oxygen system ignored safety procedures resulting in $4 million dollars of damage the plane. The damage was caused by maintenance activity on the oxygen system of a U.S. Air Force VC-25A, a 747 aircraft that regularly flies the President of the United States. This …

1
2020 Midair Collision Revisited- Episode 221 32:00

12M ago32:00

32:00

New evidence calls into question the NTSB's conclusions – and our reporting in Episode 193 - about a 2020 midair collision. Video and other information shows that there were two helicopters in the area before the midair collision. Miles O'Brien, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia revisit the 2020 midair collision of a drone and a helicopter. The NTSB use…

1
Bad Pilot Decisions Kill - Episode 220 23:08

12M ago23:08

23:08

Two Piper airplane crashes show that pilots’ bad decisions can have devastating results. This episode covers two avoidable fatal crashes. A 1991 accident involves a Piper Seneca in Florida. The NTSB found that the two occupants were partially disrobed and no evidence that either were wearing seat belts or shoulder harnesses. The report makes clear …

1
Witnessing Excellence at the 2024 AMC Competition in Chicago - Episode 219 37:58

12M ago37:58

37:58

Coming to you from the 2024 AMC Competition in Chicago! Miles O'Brien, Todd Curtis, John Goglia, Greg Feith, and aircraft mechanic and accident investigator Jason Lukasik share the experience of the competition. Every aspect of aviation maintenance and repair was on display as competitors worked to beat the clock. This year more than 400 competitor…

1
The Laura Taber Barbour Foundation Legacy in Aviation Safety - Episode 218 43:03

1y ago43:03

43:03

Special guest Henry Gourdji shares the work of the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation, which presents the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award. The air safety award has been given in recognition of aviation safety leadership since 1956. Recipients include John Goglia in 2020. The award grew out of the 1945 crash of a DC3 that killed all 20 crew and pas…

1
Navigating the Risks of Post-Maintenance Flights - Episode 217 32:40

1y ago32:40

32:40

Miles O'Brien joins Todd Curtis and John Goglia to discuss two fatal general aviation accidents that involved aircraft that were just out of maintenance. In focus are the decisions and actions pilots and maintenance personnel could have taken to avoid the crashes or make them survivable. One crash involves a Piper Cherokee on its second flight afte…

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