Aviation News Talk Podcast

The NTSB held a press conference to provide preliminary findings from the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) related to the January 29 midair collision near Reagan National Airport between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines CRJ regional jet. The Black Hawk was conducting a checkride with night vision goggles and was following FAA-designated helicopter routes. The CRJ was cleared for a visual approach to Runway 33. The investigation revealed discrepancies in altitude readings from the Black Hawk’s instruments, raising concerns about possible erroneous altimeter data. At 8:47:40 PM, the CRJ received an automated traffic advisory, and the tower instructed the Black Hawk to pass behind the CRJ. However, due to a transmission overlap, the Black Hawk may not have received the full instruction. Seconds later, the aircraft collided at approximately 313 feet altitude. The NTSB is conducting a visibility study, examining night vision goggle effects, air traffic contr

Max interviews Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB investigator, to discuss the accident investigation process, in relation to the DC midair collision. Jeff explains ICAO Annex 13, the international standard that guides accident investigations worldwide. He details the NTSB’s congressional mandate to investigate every civil aviation accident and explains their resource constraints, which often require FAA inspectors to assist. The conversation covers the NTSB’s investigative process, including the launch of a GO team for major accidents, the role of accredited representatives, and the importance of securing accident sites. Jeff discusses the retrieval and analysis of cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders, along with the increasing role of passenger electronics in investigations. Max and Jeff also touch on the psychological toll of accident investigation, the impact of high-profile crashes near Washington, D.C., and the importance of avoiding premature conclusions. Jeff shares insights into his

Max provides updates on the midair collision over the Potomac River between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional jet, followed by an analysis of the fatal crash of a Learjet 55 in Philadelphia. Regarding the Potomac collision, the episode clarifies earlier reports about the Black Hawk's flight path, noting that it was slightly off its assigned helicopter route but not landing at Reagan National. Preliminary findings indicate that the helicopter was higher than permitted and slightly off course. The episode also examines ATC staffing at the time of the accident and systemic safety concerns, rather than placing blame solely on individuals. The second half covers the Learjet 55 crash, which occurred shortly after departure from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power—likely an engine failure—and crashed within seconds. The discussion explores how night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and potential pilot response factors may have contributed

Max discusses the tragic midair collision at Reagan National Airport between a PSA Airlines CRJ700 regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The midair crash over the Potomac River was captured by a Kennedy Center webcam. ATC instructed the Army helicopter to follow the airliner to Runway 33, but it did not comply. The helicopter was not transmitting ADS-B Out, though its position was tracked using Mode S transponders. TCAS alerts are disabled below 400 feet, meaning the pilots had no automated warning. Nighttime perception challenges likely contributed to the crew’s failure to see and avoid each other. Trescott reviews ATC audio and past midair collisions, emphasizing the Swiss Cheese Model of accident causation—multiple failures aligned to cause the crash. A reported FAA radar screen showed collision alerts 30 seconds prior, but no action was taken. He urges pilots to use traffic displays with relative vectors for better situational awareness, particularly at night. The episode ends wi

Note: There is a video version of this episode for Patreon.com supporters at the $20/month level, which also gives you access to over 90 other videos. Max Trescott talks with Patrick Lienhart about FlySto.net, a platform bringing Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) to general aviation (GA). FOQA, widely used by airlines, collects and analyzes flight data to enhance safety by identifying trends before they lead to incidents. FlySto applies similar principles, allowing GA pilots to review their flights, compare data, and track performance improvements.   FlySto offers multiple perspectives, including 2D/3D views, cockpit HUD, and graphical analysis. Pilots can upload flight data from various avionics, ADS-B track logs, and navigation apps. A key feature is approach scoring, which compares pilot performance to fleet averages and provides landing analysis. FlySto also includes customizable flag rules for monitoring exceedances, aircraft performance analysis against POH data, and video integration to ov

Max talks with Jim Goldfuss about his journey from a career in logistics and retail to fulfilling his dream of flying professionally with PlaneSense, a fractional aircraft ownership company. Growing up around aviation, Jim earned his private pilot’s license in 1989 but paused his flying ambitions due to financial constraints. Decades later, with stable finances and family support, he resumed training, earning his instrument rating, commercial license, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate between 2020 and 2022. Jim credits his time as a CFI with sharpening his aviation skills and communication abilities, which prepared him for his current role. He joined PlaneSense after a year-long application process, leveraging persistence and networking to stand out. At PlaneSense, Jim flies Pilatus PC-12s as a second-in-command, alternating legs with captains and handling preflight, avionics programming, and monitoring tasks. He praises the company’s culture, advanced equipment, and comprehensive trai

Max talks with Dr. Mark Alford, who shares his journey transitioning to the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. He completed a nine-day type rating course in Knoxville, preparing through extensive study and simulator sessions to master the jet’s systems and emergency procedures. https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-3-anr-headset/?campaign=Zulu%203&ref=63 Mark highlights the challenges and rewards of his Supervised Operating Experience (SOE) with Max, which involved 25 hours of mentorship to remove his type rating restriction. They undertook diverse flights, including weather flying, night landings, and mountain approaches, like Eagle County Airport’s challenging RNAV GPS approach and high-performance departure. Mark also recounts mastering the Garmin G3000 avionics, emphasizing the importance of training tools and preparation. Personal stories enrich the podcast, such as inspiring a young aviation enthusiast in Wisconsin and connecting with aspiring pilots at FBOs. Mark reflects on how SOE train

In this Aviation News Talk episode, Max Trescott analyzes the recent crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, in South Korea. The aircraft landed gear-up on runway 19 at Muan International Airport, slid down the runway, hit a concrete berm, and burst into flames, leaving only two survivors among the crew. He performed a video analysis of the aircraft’s speed along the runway and concluded that the aircraft didn’t slow until after it left the runway, suggesting the engines were still at high power during the slide. https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-3-anr-headset/?campaign=Zulu%203&ref=63 The incident unfolded rapidly, with the pilots issuing a Mayday after a possible bird strike on the right engine. The timeline from the distress call to the crash was just five minutes, during which the crew attempted a go-around, circled back, and crash-landed. Analysis of video footage showed the engines were likely producing high power during the landing, preventing proper deceleration.

Max talks with Jason Blair, a DPE, about multi-engine ratings and training challenges. Jason explains that most pilots pursue multi-engine ratings as add-ons to their commercial certificates. He advises following an efficient training path: private single-engine, instrument rating, commercial single-engine, and finally, the multi-engine add-on. https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-3-anr-headset/?campaign=Zulu%203&ref=63 Challenges with multi-engine training include mechanical delays, as many trainers are older aircraft, and higher accident rates during instruction. Jason highlights the VMC demonstration as a critical yet risky maneuver that simulates engine failure. Pilots must maintain control and recover methodically by managing power and airspeed, avoiding loss of directional control. Performance considerations include accelerate-stop distance, single-engine ceilings, and reduced performance in high-density altitude environments. Underpowered twins, like the Twin Comanche, demand

Max talks with Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro about the value of advanced flight training and aviation experiences. Catherine shares her family tradition of gifting adventures instead of physical items, often involving flights to places like Fredericksburg, Texas, or Ireland, blending fun, learning, and aviation. https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-3-anr-headset/?campaign=Zulu%203&ref=63 They discuss using flight training as a “gift to oneself,” encouraging pilots to pursue new ratings or specialized courses to improve skills. Catherine highlights the instrument rating for enhancing precision and multitasking, and the commercial rating for smoothing out flying and improving passenger comfort. She advocates for specialized training like spin training to build stall confidence, mountain flying for high-terrain safety, tailwheel training for better rudder control, and quick, rewarding ratings like seaplane flying. Catherine emphasizes the importance of real IFR training, which focuses on enrou

Max talks with Dr. Quay Snyder, an expert in aerospace medicine, about the critical role of sleep and fatigue management, especially in aviation. Dr. Snyder delves into the structure of sleep, emphasizing the importance of REM sleep for emotional recovery and memory consolidation, and deep sleep for physical restoration. He provides practical advice, such as maintaining a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment, avoiding heavy meals and screen exposure before bed, and adopting consistent pre-sleep routines. Writing down worries and using relaxation techniques like box breathing can further improve sleep quality. https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-3-anr-headset/?campaign=Zulu%203&ref=63 Caffeine and alcohol disrupt sleep cycles, and while melatonin supplements may help with circadian misalignment, they should be used cautiously. Dr. Snyder also discusses the accuracy of wearable sleep trackers and emerging fatigue-monitoring technologies. Concluding, Dr. Snyder highlights his work wit

Max talks with Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro about the dangers of "timid turns" in traffic patterns, where overly shallow bank angles can lead to overshoots and potentially dangerous skidding turns. Catherine recounts a case where a pilot overshot final approach due to excessive speed and timid turns, underscoring how these habits can increase the risk of stall-spin accidents. They explore the physics of turns, emphasizing that speed impacts turn radius far more than bank angle. A 30-degree bank is both safe and effective, increasing stall speed by only 7% while significantly reducing turn radius compared to a 20-degree bank. Dr. Cavagnaro criticizes overcautious instruction by some CFIs, which perpetuates unsafe patterns. The conversation also addresses circling approaches, where incorrect visual references at lower altitudes often cause overshoots. Both Max and Catherine cite fatal accidents caused by such errors and stress the importance of proper airspeed, situational awareness, and wind evaluation. They

Max talks about the tragic crash of a Robinson R44 helicopter (N881KE) in Houston on October 20, 2024, which claimed four lives. The accident occurred during an air tour when the helicopter collided with a radio tower at night. While the immediate cause—the helicopter hitting the tower—is clear, the episode delves into the broader contributing factors, offering lessons for all pilots. The tower struck was lit and operational despite a recent NOTAM suggesting otherwise, but a significant factor was the operator’s recent move to a new location. This change introduced risks as pilots flew new routes they were less familiar with, potentially increasing workload and reducing situational awareness. Distractions, a leading cause of aviation accidents, likely played a role. The pilot, engaged in radio communications, may have lost focus on obstacle avoidance. Limited night vision, reflections from the helicopter canopy, and passenger interaction may have compounded the challenge. Key takeaways include heighten

Max talks about discuss the tragic crash of a Beechcraft B55 Baron, N73WA, that departed from Catalina Island in Southern California on October 8th. The flight, taken in dark night conditions, sadly resulted in the loss of all five onboard, including two Certified Flight Instructors and two student pilots. Somatogravic illusion—an effect where acceleration feels like a climb—likely played a role in this incident. This sensation can mislead pilots into pushing the nose down, risking a controlled descent into terrain, especially dangerous during night departures over unlit areas. Coincidentally, I flew over Catalina Island the next day in a Cirrus Vision Jet and observed the crash site. ADS-B data showed a gradual descent and accelerating airspeed. The episode underscores the importance of using instruments, especially at night, to avoid reliance on physical sensations alone. Remember to consider all available options in challenging situations and prioritize safety above convenience. If you're getting valu

Max talks first about the fatal crash of N57HP, a HondaJet, which crashed earlier this week during takeoff from Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ. The aircraft reached 133 knots on the runway, well above the rotation speed of 115 knots, before rejecting its takeoff. Max also talked with Rob Mark about a near-miss incident at Chicago O'Hare involving Envoy Flight 3936, an Embraer 170. The incident took place on September 25th, when the aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 10 Center but mistakenly landed on Runway 10 Left instead. This misalignment was the result of multiple small errors—a classic "Swiss cheese" moment where various lapses align to create a potentially dangerous situation If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start wit

Max talks with Eric Peterson, Director of Santa Clara County Airports, discussed the landmark arrival of G100UL, an unleaded 100-octane aviation gasoline, at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, making it the first airport in the U.S. to offer GAMI’s G100UL fuel. Santa Clara County, motivated by studies linking lead exposure to nearby airports, decided to phase out leaded fuels in 2022, initially adopting Swift’s UL94 fuel. However, the new G100UL caters to aircraft needing higher-octane fuel, expanding lead-free options for pilots. To encourage adoption, GAMI is offering incentives: aircraft based at Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports can receive the required Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for free by following certain steps, while Bay Area pilots who buy an STC by November 1 can get 25 gallons of free G100UL. Peterson highlighted challenges in sourcing G100UL due to limited distribution channels, which required direct contracting with the manufacturer Vitol Aviation. Currently priced at $6.99 per g

Max talks about how to respond to system failures, including those not covered in the POH. The process starts with assessing the severity of the failure—whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a threat to safety. Pilots should determine if they can substitute other instruments or indicators for the failed system and assess if the issue could lead to cascading failures, such as an engine fire after a turbocharger malfunction. Choosing the right place to land is also crucial. Not all failures require an immediate landing, so if time permits, pilots should consider airports with better repair facilities. The episode compares the redundancy in the Cirrus SR22, with its dual alternators and batteries, to the Diamond DA40NG, which has less backup, making electrical failures more critical. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding your aircraft's systems and being prepared for emergencies. A real-life example of a failure involving engine sensors in a Cirrus highlights the importance of redundan

Max talks with John Kinard of AeroLuxe Aviation, based in Nashville, which operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including R44 and R22 helicopters. Following Hurricane Helene, the company became involved in relief efforts after seeing the devastation in North Carolina. John contacted the Ashville, NC EOC, and was told that help wasn’t needed. Nonetheless, AeroLux decided to fly three R44 helicopters to the disaster area to see how them might assist. The helicopters operated out of a base at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Asheville, which had been converted into a command center. Immediately after arriving, the team began delivering supplies to isolated communities cut off by flooding and landslides. They navigated challenging mountainous terrain, landing directly in confined areas to deliver food, water, and medical supplies. The team also saw firsthand the extensive damage, including multimillion-dollar homes washed away by floods. Despite hot, difficult conditions, AeroLuxe flew dai

Max talks about the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which resulted in at least 200 deaths, mostly in North Carolina, and brought unprecedented rainfall to the Southeast. Towns like Hendersonville and Spruce Pine received over 20 inches of rain, causing widespread flooding and isolating mountain communities. Relief efforts have been extensive, involving the National Guard, Coast Guard, and various aviation groups. Helicopters have played a crucial role in reaching remote areas, while general aviation pilots have been delivering supplies. Listeners who participated talk about their experiences transporting essential goods, such as water and food, and detailed their experiences flying into affected areas. Organizations like Operation Airdrop and Aerobridge coordinated hundreds of flights, delivering supplies to impacted communities. The podcast highlighted the importance of working through relief organizations to ensure supplies reach those in need efficiently, and that the need for volunteer pilots

Max discusses the crash of N831AZ, a Cirrus SR22 at Provo, Utah. The aircraft was following a slower light sport aircraft in the traffic pattern for runway 13. The Cirrus pilot was instructed to go around after getting too close to the preceding aircraft. During both traffic patterns, the pilot struggled with airspeed management, flying with a constantly decreasing airspeed instead of maintaining a stable approach. On the second attempt, the aircraft stalled during the base-to-final turn and crashed into Utah Lake, possibly entering a spin before impact. He emphasizes the importance of stabilized approaches, maintaining consistent airspeeds, and using proper trim when adding flaps to prevent the nose from rising. He also highlights issues with situational awareness, including managing separation in traffic patterns and avoiding distractions like non-essential conversations in the cockpit. He believes that older Cirrus models have higher accident rates, possibly due to a lack of training rather than the air