Engine Malfunction Allegedly Causes Fatal Plane Crash

Case Overview

This case involves a pilot that died in a plane crash. At the time of the crash, the pilot was 63 years old with 30 years of aviation experience. The plane the pilot was flying had been serviced several weeks before the accident. It underwent a full inspection, new parts were installed, and the plane was deemed ready to fly. It was alleged that an engine malfunction caused the plane to crash. An expert in aviation accidents was sought to determine the cause of the accident, whether by human error or malfunction of the plane or its parts.

Questions to the Aviation expert and their responses

Please explain your background in aviation.

I am a consultant with general/commercial aviation experience, regulatory experience with the FAA, and piloting experience as a retired US Army/FAA experimental test pilot. I have FAA airplane, rotorcraft, seaplane and ground instructor ratings. I am also an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) Flight Test Analyst. I have relevant experience in numerous forums on accidents, causal analysis, and human factors. I have provided expert witness testimony and reports on both airplane and rotorcraft accidents. I have also participated in numerous investigations on either the FAA or other parties. I have participated in engine accidents, general aviation, commercial aviation, and rotorcraft accidents.

Are you able to determine the cause of the accident by reviewing the NTSB report?

Upon review of the NTSB reports and the docket, I could determine the cause of the accident.

About the expert

This expert is one of the leaders in his industry and has extensive experience in the field of aviation and risk management, specializing in materials and properties laboratories, engineering operations, safety management systems, quality, flight tests, and unmanned aerial systems. He earned his BS in aeronautical technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his MS in aerospace management from the University of Tennessee. This expert then started his career as a United States Army pilot, before advancing to several senior positions with the Federal Aviation Administration. As Manager Rotorcraft Directorate with the FAA, he was responsible for all FAA Experimental Test Flight policies, training, and administration for over 250 companies. He collaborated with the industry to lower the number of fatal accidents from 30 to 14 per year over a five-year average. This expert received the Tony LaVier Award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots for Lifetime Achievement in Flight Safety. He is a member of numerous prestigious organizations in the aviation, engineering, and safety fields. Moreover, he has authored 9 publications in his field and is a frequently invited guest speaker at major aviation events. Currently, he is a consultant at an international safety and risk management company serving in Texas.

E-009401

Specialties:

Aviation