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FAA’s Approval of the 737 Max Questioned – But Why Now?
Both the Department of Justice and Transportation Department’s inspector general are investigating the FAA’s approval of the Boeing 737 Max and, in particular, the aircraft’s anti-stall system known as...
View ArticleKobe Bryant Crash: Controlled Flight Into Terrain?
Helicopters come to grief all too often after encountering clouds or fog. In fact, it seems that it was an encounter with low clouds that lead to the fatal Safari Helicopter Crash on Kauai just a few...
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Kobe Bryant Crash: NTSB Update Points to Improper VFR into IMC
From the outset it looked to me as though the Kobe Bryant crash was a simple case of “continued VFR into IMC” — a crash caused by a pilot wandering into clouds and fog and losing control of the...
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Byron Tow Plane Crash: Glider Pilot Error?
The pilot of a Bellanca 8GCBC Scout, Registration N4116Y, died when the aircraft crashed at Byron Airport on May 9th. According to a witness, the tow plane took off pulling a glider. While still at a...
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NTSB Blames Collings Foundation, FAA for Fatal Crash of Sightseeing B-17
On October 2, 2019, a World War II-era B-17 flying fortress bomber departed Bradley International Airport in Connecticut for a local sightseeing flight with 10 paying tourists on board. Shortly after...
View ArticleMaintenance Error that Brought Down Navajo at Myrtle Beach Not Uncommon
In May, a Piper Navajo PA-31 crashed shortly after takeoff from Myrtle Beach. The pilot was ATP-rated and worked for American Airlines. He knew he was in trouble almost immediately after takeoff. He...
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Cirrus SR20 Crash at Truckee Airport: High Density Altitude to Blame?
At first glance, this week’s crash of Cirrus N89423 at Truckee looks like yet another “high density altitude” accident. Such accidents are, after all, perhaps the most common type of accident at...
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Bombardier Challenger N605TR Crash at Truckee-Tahoe Airport: Looks Like...
Few turns in aviation are as dangerous as the “base-to-final” turn. That’s the last turn the pilot executes to line up with the runway. When that final turn is made, the aircraft is always low and...
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PG&E Dixie Fire and the Truckee Jet Crash
Some media outlets have reported that poor visibility from the PG&E Dixie wildfire smoke may have caused the Bombardier Challenger jet crash in Truckee. If true, would that make PG&E liable?...
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Learjet N880Z: Another Circling Approach Crash
Instrument approach procedures are pre-determined paths and maneuvers that, if followed, will guide an aircraft to a runway in reduced visibility. The last leg of an instrument approach procedure is...
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