Flight Safety Detectives

Just days ago, Marine One took off from the White House carrying President Trump while an airliner was taking off from nearby Reagan National Airport. This event highlights unresolved air space issues made apparent by the fatal midair collision involving a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional airliner.

The FAA is typically notified, and controllers clear the airspace for Marine One. John Goglia and Todd Curtis share what happened in this latest event. They discuss the significant safety issues involved. The issues raised after the recent fatal collision in the same airspace clearly still need action.<...

When is an aircraft truly airworthy? The answer is more complicated—and more important—than most pilots and aviation professionals realize.

Aviation safety experts Todd Curtis and John Goglia are joined by aviation attorney Sarah MacLeod and certification expert Mike Borfitz for a fascinating discussion about what airworthiness really means. Is an airplane airworthy simply because it matches an approved design, or does it also have to be safe to fly today?

The panel dives into real-world aviation issues that affect pilots, mechanics, maintenance managers, manufacturers, and regulators every day:

Greg Feith, John Goglia, and Todd Curtis, along with returning guest Mike Borfitz dig into the developing facts emerging related to the recent 737 crash in the northern Arabian Sea. As the wreckage is recovered, the Flight Safety Detectives are keen to learn about the plane’s history and maintenance records.

They also discuss a recent incident that appears to be a suicide. A flight instructor exited a Cessna 150 midflight, leaving his student to land the aircraft. The discussion focuses on pilot mental health and related legislation that is slowly working its way through Congress. 

Previous FSD...

Todd Curtis and John Goglia interview Rohan Guskin an aviation enthusiast whose experiences defy his young age. Guskin started flying at age 14 and is now 16. He is still too young to qualify for a pilot’s license but that has not stopped him from pursuing his passions.

Guskin’s experiences inside and outside the cockpit include an ambitious cross-country flight that took him and his instructor from the San Francisco Bay area, down the California coast, and over the ocean to Catalina Island. He describes the detailed preflight planning and the challenges he encountered during the flight. 

A cargo Boeing 737 plunges into the Arabian Sea. A seaplane crashes near Manhattan but everyone survives. And an executive jet narrowly misses an unidentified silver object at 16,000 feet.

In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, aviation safety experts John Goglia and Todd Curtis examine three recent aviation events and explain what they reveal about today's aviation safety challenges.

The episode begins with the tragic crash of a K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft that departed Sharjah, UAE, bound for Karachi, Pakistan. The airplane entered a steep dive and crashed into the Arabian Sea, killing all...

A routine flight turned into a tragedy that raises difficult questions about pilot decision-making, flight school oversight, and the risks of night flying.

In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, Greg Feith, John Goglia, and Todd Curtis examine the fatal June 2026 crash that claimed the life of a newly certificated private pilot and two passengers. Using available ADS-B flight data and their decades of aviation safety experience, they explore the unusual sequence of events including multiple touch-and-go landings in Ocean City, New Jersey, a climb to nearly 9,000 feet, unexplained changes in speed, and a crash just miles...

John Goglia and Todd Curtis went live on June 22 to answer listener questions and give to-the-moment updates on several recent aviation safety events.

They cover several recent misadventures:

John and Todd offer the known details and share what may have gone wrong in each incident.

They also offer the latest information coming out of the investigation of the accident at LaGuardia airport. Th...

What can NASA safety reports tell us about the state of aviation after the pandemic? In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, former NTSB Board Member John Goglia and aviation safety analyst Todd Curtis dive into recent trends in NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), examining how reporting levels for Part 121 and Part 135 operators changed during and after the pandemic.

John and Todd also discuss the fatal June 7, 2026 crash of a Gulfstream G200 in the Dominican Republic. They explore how the investigation may unfold under Dominican authorities and explain why the resources available to an investigative agency...

John Goglia and Todd Curtis examine an all-too-common aviation incident: fuel exhaustion. 

Two pilots recently took off on a training flight that would start after midnight and end before dawn. They planned 10 takeoffs and landings at a towered airport, a 100-nautical-mile cross-country flight, refueling, and waiting until sunrise to practice additional maneuvers. 

Unfortunately, they ran out of fuel short of the refueling stop and had to dodge wind turbines and power lines to safely land on a road. Because there were no damage or injuries, no report was published by the FAA or NTSB. 

H...

Todd Curtis and John Goglia share their real time research into unapproved parts in aviation. They use the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database to do their research. 

See what they uncover as they investigate unapproved parts in aviation. They search reports from 1995 and later years to find instances of suspected unapproved or counterfeit parts. 

Most of the five cases they dive into are found to be paperwork issues rather than actual fraudulent parts. John adds some historical context, discussing how events like Eastern Airlines going out of business and the U.S. leaving be...

Can artificial intelligence (AI) make aviation safer? In this episode, Todd Curtis and John Goglia explore ways that AI tools are being used to analyze safety data, identify trends, and improve communication across the aviation industry.

Todd shares a project that uses the AI platform Claude along with reports from NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database to create a customized safety report modeled after the ASRS CALLBACK publication. The discussion highlights how AI can help aviation professionals uncover valuable insights from large volumes of safety data.

Todd and John discuss how aviation professionals can...

New York City eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft test flights and global commercialization efforts are making headlines. Special guest Mike Borfitz, CEO of Kilroy Aviation and a safety certification engineer with more than 40 years of experience, explores critical technical challenges including battery limitations and software integration. 

Mike, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia address regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and urban integration challenges. They discuss the unrealistic market expectations being promoted by manufacturers. 

Mike predicts that accidents involving these aircraft are inevitable. Ground-based air traffic management will be essential for safe operations in crowded urban ai...

Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the details in the NTSB preliminary accident report about the March 22, 2026 fatal collision between an Air Canada Jazz regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The preliminary report offers a detailed timeline of the key events in the minutes before the accident. 

The airliner struck a fire truck that was leading six other emergency vehicles across an active runway to deal with an emergency situation. The fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway. Shortly before the truck entered the runway, a controller ordered the fire truck to s...

In this recording of April’s livestream, Todd Curtis and John Goglia focus on all things related to aviation mechanics. John and Todd just completed their participation at the latest AMC MRO maintenance competition and they share the unique perspectives on the past, present and future of A&P mechanics.

👉 Hear what more than 500 competitors from across the globe achieved at the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council competition.

👉 Understand how the current shortage will impact everyone from the largest airlines to general aviation pilots.

👉 Hiring! A&P mechanic skills are valued in aviation and many other indus...

Todd Curtis and John Goglia did some digging beyond the official investigation of the tragic March 22, 2026 collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada regional jet and an airport fire truck operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

This incident raises serious questions about airport ground safety—and what they have found may surprise you.

John digs into critical factors that could have contributed to the accident, including:
- Why the fire truck may not have been visible on radar
- How the lack of a transponder on emergency vehi...

Controversial proposed landing fee increases at two airports in Mesa, Arizona could have ripple effects nationwide as more airports adopt user fees. What may look like a routine pricing update could significantly impact flight schools, student pilots, and the overall pilot training environment.

John Goglia, Greg Feith and Todd Curtis dive into a critical safety concern. As costs rise, pilots may shift training to less expensive, uncontrolled airports where they will miss out on essential real-world experience communicating with air traffic control. That tradeoff could have real safety implications.

John brings insider perspective from his...

The aviation industry is facing a critical challenge—the growing shortage of aviation mechanics. Todd Curtis and John Goglia break down what’s driving it and why it matters now more than ever. 

From an aging workforce to surging global demand for air travel, the need for skilled technicians is reshaping the future of aviation careers.

Go inside the high-energy Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC), where students, military teams, and industry pros compete head-to-head in real-world technical challenges. Top employers are also there actively scouting their next hires.

As airlines boost pay to attract talen...

Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis take you inside the critical first day of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. Using the recent runway collision at LaGuardia Airport as a case study, they break down the unique challenges investigators face from the moment an accident occurs.

You’ll hear how the NTSB “Go Team” mobilizes—often from different corners of the country—and what happens when key personnel are delayed. Greg shares insights from his experience as an Investigator in Charge (IIC), including supporting leadership on scene and preparing officials for high-stakes press briefings where every word...

This recording of a Flight Safety Detectives livestream was recorded soon after the fatal collision between an Air Canada plane and a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport on March 22. 

Greg Feith, Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the early facts related to the crash and compare the event to incidents they have investigated in their past roles with the NTSB and accident investigation. 

The comparisons to the deadly crash near Reagan National Airport are striking. They look at recent developments that are politicizing the NTSB and how that may be impacting aviation safety.

The very system designed to save lives in the air becomes a hidden danger on the ground. Todd and John break down a January 2026 NTSB safety alert warning first responders about the risks posed by Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS) after an aircraft accident. 

While BRS have saved countless lives by deploying parachutes in emergencies, the explosive activation system can be dangerous after a crash. Hear about three real-world incidents where first responders were put at risk—either because they didn’t know a BRS was installed or didn’t fully understand the danger. 

As these systems...

Developing: a routine training flight in March turned into a fight for survival.

When a student pilot and instructor flying a Cessna 172 lost engine power over New York’s Hudson River, they were forced to make a split-second decision: attempt to get to Stewart International Airport near the United States Military Academy at West Point or put the aircraft down somewhere else.

About five miles short of the airport, the crew realized they wouldn’t make it back. They decided to ditch onto a patch of ice in the river at night.

Miraculously, both...

What really happens in the hours and days after a major aviation accident and who controls the story?

Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the issues and suffering creating when people speculate after a plane crash. To illustrate the point, they focus on a 2003 Charlotte, North Carolina Beech 1900 plane crash that drew intense national media attention. 

John led the NTSB field investigation, navigating not only a complex accident scene but also a storm of media speculation and aviation “experts” offering opinions long before the facts were known.

John shares the inside story of sever...

Recording of the monthly livestream! 

Flight Safety Detectives go live to answer your aviation safety questions. This month, Greg Feith, Todd Curtis and John Goglia answer questions about TWA Flight 800, the recent Bangor plane crash, and the influence (or lack thereof) of corporate media on NTSB findings and decisions. 

Flight Safety Detectives answer questions from the audience the 4th Monday of each month. Send yours in to flightsafetydetectives@gmail.com.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your...

Take a deep dive into the iconic air traffic control scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. What host Todd Curtis uncovers might surprise you.

Revisiting the tense near–midair collision sequence, Todd analyzes how accurately the film portrayed the real-world challenges pilots and controllers faced in the 1970s when reporting UFOs (now known as UAPs). As shown in the scene, two separate airline crews and air traffic controllers hesitate to report what they’ve seen—even after a close call. 

Todd painstakingly reviewed the footage over a dozen times to create an NTSB-inspired transcr...

The NTSB report of a fatal Piper Navajo crash in Medford, Oregon in December 2021 leaves important aviation safety questions unanswered. This fatal crash is attributed to spatial disorientation but facts available lead to serious questions about the fuel tanks and more. 

The pilot had flown from his home in Nevada to Medford but had to have the fuel system repaired. Days later when the repairs were complete, the pilot took off in low ceiling conditions. The aircraft made a sharp right turn, entered the clouds, and then descended sharply, with the pilot pulling up shortly before hitting t...

This episode looks at two aviation accident investigations that were highly complex for very different reasons. One is the well-known TWA Flight 800 investigation where John Goglia and Todd Curtis were both directly involved. The other is a lesser-known 2002 crash of a Cessna 208B aircraft that is the subject of a book by author Leslie Kean.

John and Todd review the crash of TWA Flight 800, an investigation where John was involved as an NTSB Board Member and Todd as support for Boeing. They explore the complexity of the investigation and the efforts made to understand the accident. They...

In a live episode for members recorded on Jan 26, John Goglia and Greg Feith offer their first findings related to Sunday's crash a Bombardier Challenger 600. 

Both are familiar with the plane and share the issues that need investigating and the steps the NTSB is likely to take on scene. Investigators need to talk to people present that day and learn what happened leading up to the flight. 

They also will need to look into whether the plane was deiced, when and what fluid was used. Runway conditions could have been a factor in aircraft and en...

FAA data shows a steady decrease in U.S. accident rates for general aviation in recent years. But the data may not show an accurate story.

Todd Curtis and John Goglia take a deeper dive into the data. Comparing the FAA rates to a NTSB table listing accidents in general aviation shows that the NTSB data implies that general aviation aircraft crashed roughly 50 times more frequently than airlines and other air carrier flights.

Pilots should check out the website for the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC), an organization that partners with the FAA and...

A just-issued NTSB advisory warns operators of several Hawker jet models of a dangerous stall tendency not adequately explained in the aircraft's documentation. Todd Curtis and John Goglia share important background and details.

The advisory was issued based on findings from two fatal Hawker jet crashes, one in 2024 and the other in 2025. Both occurred during post-maintenance flights to test the stall warning system. Interesting - the NTSB also noted that it could not find any experience, training, or qualification criteria for pilots tasked to perform a stall test flight or any additional plan or procedures for performing...

In a December livestream event Todd Curtis and John Goglia tackled listener questions. Listen as they take a deeper dive into some of aviation safety’s most important topics:

Listen and get updated on these topics and more. 

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safe...

A veteran crisis-communications expert and author of “Transport Management: Successes and Failures” (2026) joins the show. Linda Tavlin draws on more than 35 years of experience to discuss how transportation organizations—especially airlines—should communicate during major accidents and crises. 

Linda and John Goglia reflect on their long professional history, including work on major aviation disasters. They illustrate how poor communication during crises often worsens outcomes, while good communication can significantly reduce long-term damage.

Linda shares a story about two airlines she helped train. After both had major accidents, one airline followed her approach to communicating about the accid...

The European Aviation Safety Agency issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) on November 28, 2025, that ordered nearly 6,000 A319, A320, and A321 aircraft be grounded to check for a flight control computer issue. Todd and John recorded this show while gathering details about the grounding in real time.

The show was recorded as John gets phone calls and emails from colleagues during the show and Todd prepares for a television news interview. This episode shows how they gather facts and data on unfolding aviation safety events like ADs.

The affected aircraft had to be on the ground...

Recorded the day of the crash of a Cessna Citation earlier in the day that killed former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his family, and three others when the aircraft struck the ground just short of the runway and caught fire at the Statesville, North Carolina airport. The aircraft had taken off from the airport just a few minutes earlier and was attempting to land at the same airport.

The aircraft, a 1981 Cessna Citation, was owned by a company associated with Biffle. Biffle was a rated multiengine pilot, but it is not known whether he was also a...

Guest Xyla Foxlin focuses on how the FAA and the aviation community can better support mental health issues faced by pilots and other aviation professionals. Foxlin is an engineer and pilot who produced an award-winning video about pilot mental health.

Her aviation journey highlights include a Young Eagles flight that cemented her fascination with aviation, owning and maintaining a Cessna 140 that she has flown from coast to coast, a 2025 visit to Oshkosh and regaining her FAA medical certificate.

Foxlin discusses efforts with the Pilot Mental Health Campaign (PMHC) to push the Pilot Mental Health in...

This recording of a live stream on November 26 gives additional insights and updates into recent issues in aviation safety. Todd Curtis, Greg Feith and John Goglia tackle viewer questions to correct mistakes and dig deeper into current accidents and incidents.

Hear more about:

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast servi...

Take a deep dive into the NTSB preliminary report of what happened when a taxiing Delta A350 struck and substantially damaged an Endeavor CRJ in Atlanta. Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis examine the contributing factors, including crew distractions, limited visibility of the wingtip from the cockpit, and the layout of the taxiways.

This event was one of three incidents involving Endeavor Airlines CRJs in a little over a year. Two Endeavor Airlines CRJ aircraft collided on the ground at LaGuardia Airport in New York in October. There was also a crash during landing of an...

The perception of aviation safety risk is much higher than the actual data. Safety data expert Mike Borfitz helps John Goglia and Todd Curtis look at how misleading data is used to support misleading theories about the Air India 787 and other high-profile aviation disasters.

John and Mike highlight issues with reporting and documents related to the Air India accident. Learn the inside story on why some official-looking reports are inaccurate. 

Todd and Mike and both former Boeing engineers who used aviation data to analyze risk and support the manufacturing process. They discuss how Boeing and A...

A look at the facts provided in the NTSB preliminary accident report on the November 4, 2025, crash of a UPS MD-11F in Louisville, Kentucky. John Goglia, Todd Curtis and Greg Feith share their insider perspectives as they examine the details of this fatal plane crash.

Many online commentators have speculated on the cause of the crash and other details of the accident, only to be proven wrong by the facts provided by the NTSB. 

The accident has similar circumstances to the 1979 crash of an American Airlines DC-10 in Chicago. What is very different is the p...

Breaking news! The FAA has made significant changes to the policy on reporting Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). UAP reports generated by air traffic controllers will use the acronym UAP instead of UFO, and controllers are required to provide specific information about the UAP in their reports.

Also in this episode, Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss two 2025 fatal accidents in which pilot medical conditions may have been an issue. Todd and John discuss how aging brings issues that are a challenge for older pilots. 

The NTSB preliminary reports of the accidents under scrutiny do not i...

This recording of a livestream event covers many aviation safety topics, from designing aircraft for safety to mental health support for industry professionals to passenger responsibilities. Hear Greg Feith, John Goglia and Todd Curtis tackle viewer questions with insight and candor!

Among the topics covered:

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at yo...