Todd Curtis and John Goglia take a closer look at the crash of a Fairchild SA227-TT in Blountville, Tennessee that killed NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki and others. They bring to light why this plane crash wasn't simply a story about bad weather.

On April 1, 1993, Kulwicki was flying to Tennessee to compete at Bristol Motor Speedway when the aircraft carrying him crashed during a night instrument approach. Kulwicki, the 1992 Winston Cup Champion, two other passengers, and the pilot were killed.

An air traffic controller watched the aircraft descend in a spiraling descent shortly before it crashed short of the runway. Investigators determined that the pilot had not followed the manufacturer's recommended procedures for operating in icing conditions.

Todd and John examine the chain of decisions and conditions that led to the loss of control. They document the weather conditions surrounding the flight, including the forecast for icing at 7,500 feet while the aircraft cruised at 7,000 feet. John discusses research from the 1990s demonstrating just how rapidly ice can accumulate on an aircraft.

They also explore a lesson that remains highly relevant to pilots today: weather information is never truly "live." Even modern in-flight weather systems have delays.

This tragic crash offers important lessons for pilots, aviation professionals. Anyone interested in understanding how seemingly manageable conditions can combine to create a deadly accident needs to watch this episode.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].



Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.



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New Findings in the Crash That Killed NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki - Episode 346

Marine One. A departing passenger jet. A communications failure. And a safety system that didn’t work as intended.

What really happened on August 4, 2026, when President Trump’s Marine One helicopter departed the White House area at almost the same time an Envoy Air Embraer E170 was taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport?

In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, Todd Curtis and John Goglia take a close look at the NTSB’s preliminary report and what it reveals about one of the most closely watched aviation incidents of the year.

Marine One flights are supposed to receive special handling: air traffic controllers should get a three-minute warning before the helicopter departs, allowing departing traffic at National Airport to be stopped. But on August 4, that warning never reached the controllers.

The result? Marine One and the regional jet were airborne in the same area at the same time.

Todd and John break down the communications failure, the unique challenges of operating around Reagan National, and why meeting the FAA’s minimum separation requirements isn't necessarily enough when special procedures are supposed to protect a presidential helicopter.

Todd also revisits several assumptions he and John made immediately after the incident. John brings a unique perspective from his years at the NTSB, explaining just how difficult it can be to manage the extraordinarily complex airspace around National Airport and why he believes more needs to be done to address the underlying safety challenges.

And there's an even bigger reason to pay attention: another Marine One communications problem occurred on August 27—just after the NTSB released its preliminary findings from the August 4 incident.

What does this second communications problem tell us about whether the underlying safety issues have really been fixed?

Watch this episode for Todd and John's detailed analysis of the NTSB findings, the communication breakdown, the challenges of protecting the airspace around Reagan National, and the lessons aviation safety professionals should take from this incident.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].



Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.



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Marine One & Passenger Jet Near Miss at Reagan National NTSB Report Out - Episode 345

A fatal collision at Carlisle Airport in Pennsylvania on August 19 raises important questions about what happened in the final seconds of two aircraft sharing the same airspace.

In this episode of Flight Safety Detectives, Todd Curtis and John Goglia examine the known facts surrounding the collision between a Cessna 150H and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407GX helicopter. The crash killed the Cessna pilot and injured both occupants of the police helicopter.

The helicopter had completed its approach and was taxiing in a low hover just off the right side of the runway. Video of the accident sequence appears to show the Cessna pulling up sharply in the final seconds before the collision.

Todd and John carefully walk through what is known about the accident and what remains unknown. The NTSB investigation is still in its early stages, and the Flight Safety Detectives emphasize the importance of separating established facts from speculation.

What happened in those final moments? What information will investigators need to determine how the collision occurred? And what can—and can't—be concluded at this stage?

Watch as Todd and John break down the available facts while avoiding premature conclusions about the cause of the accident.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].



Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.



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What We Know About the Aug 19 Carlisle Airport Crash - Episode 344

On March 22, 1992, a Fokker 28 aircraft operating USAir flight 405 crashed shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York, killing 25 of the 51 people who were on board the aircraft. John Goglia and Greg Feith meet with flight 405 survivor Bob Main for a powerful discussion.

Bob shares the remarkable story of his physical recovery—and the much longer, often overlooked journey that followed. He opens up about the psychological impact of surviving a catastrophic accident, as well as the challenges many survivors and their families face long after the wreckage is cleared.

From intense media attention and reliving traumatic experiences during legal proceedings that can stretch on for years, to making difficult personal and professional decisions, Bob provides a candid look at what it really means to survive an aviation accident.

John and Greg bring their own perspectives from the investigative side, drawing on their years at the NTSB and their careers in aviation safety. Together, they explore the human consequences of aviation accidents that aren't always captured in accident reports.

Bob published a book about his experiences in early 2026, reflecting on how the Flight 405 accident and everything that followed shaped the past 34 years of his life.

This is more than a story about surviving a plane crash. It's a powerful conversation about trauma, recovery, resilience, and what happens after the investigation ends.

Watch this important episode and subscribe to Flight Safety Detectives for in-depth conversations about aviation accidents, investigations, safety, and the lessons that can help prevent future tragedies.

Photo: Bob in the NY hospital the day after the crash. Credit: flight405survivorstory.com

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].



Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.



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Flight 405 Crash Survivor Speaks Out - Episode 343

A passenger’s video reveals interesting details from the recent evacuation of a Delta 757 aircraft in Atlanta. John Goglia and Todd Curtis dissect the video with their deep understanding of aviation safety issues.

Two videos taken by passengers on board showed the professionalism of the flight crew and questionable choices by some passengers. Several people evacuated the aircraft with carry-on baggage. John and Todd discuss this long-standing issue in aviation and suggested that passengers plan their flight so that their most important items are always with them. 

In other news, a Pan Am DC4 airliner that crashed in 1952 near San Juan, Puerto Rico was recently found. The plane crashed following an engine failure.

John discusses why budget issues and the fact that the Civil Aeronautics Board had already investigated this event would keep the NTSB from further investigating this accident. Hear whether this discovery might affect the chances of finding and recovering MH370.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].

 

Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.

 

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How to Evacuate an Airplane - Episode 342

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.

Also headlining this episode is the discovery of cracks found in 737 aircraft. The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive. The AD addresses structural issues with three models of the 737 and raises significant safety concerns about these aircraft.

In July, the crew of a British Airways A320 overcame serious flight control issues shortly before landing at Heathrow Airport in London. The crew experienced two stall warnings in flight. This incident raises serious safety issues for this computer-controlled aircraft.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].

 

Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.

 

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The Real Story Behind the Marine One Event - Episode 341

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:

 * The difference between regulatory conformity and operational safety
 * How maintenance records and paperwork omissions can change critical decisions
 * Why organizational pressure can lead to unsafe outcomes
 * The role of tolerances, imperfections, and human judgment in aviation maintenance
 * Who is accountable when something doesn’t look right
 * Why new aviation professionals must learn to speak up, ask questions, and report mistakes

Todd also shares a revealing story from his flying club that demonstrates why every pilot should have access to maintenance information before accepting an aircraft.

Watch now to hear four aviation experts tackle one of the industry’s most misunderstood safety questions—and learn the habits that help keep aircraft, crews, and passengers safe.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].

 

Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.

 

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What Makes an Airplane Safe to Fly? - Episode 340

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 mental health episodes:

 * Episode 239: Anxiety in Flight Turns Deadly [https://flightsafetydetectives.com/anxiety-in-flight-turns-deadly-episode-239/]
 * Episode 274: John Goglia Costars in Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehersal” on HBO [https://flightsafetydetectives.com/john-goglia-costars-in-nathan-fielders-the-rehearsal-on-hbo-episode-274/]
 * Episode 307: Xyla Foxlin on Pilot Mental Health [https://flightsafetydetectives.com/xyla-foxlin-on-pilot-mental-health-episode-307/]

The discussion also covers engineering and maintenance careers in aviation. Mike’s engineering career includes work at Boeing and the FAA. Both Mike and John share experiences that made them knowledgeable about aviation and the roles they could play. Todd is also an engineer who has worked on the operational and manufacturing sides of aviation.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].

 

Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.

 

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737 Crash Details Emerging, Mental Health Bill Needs Attention - Episode 339

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. 

John and Todd examine with him a study he is conducting of air traffic separation of IFR and VFR aircraft around several California airports. Guskin has also shared his insights with a statewide association of pilots. 

Listen as they discuss the broader aviation community and the AIAA AVIATION 2026 conference, which took place in San Diego in June 2026. Next year, after Guskin graduates from high school, he aspires to earn an aerospace engineering degree and become an aviation professional.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].

 

Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.

 

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Young Aviation Enthusiast Examines Air Traffic Issues - Episode 338

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 five people on board. 

John reviews the aircraft's long operational history—including its years flying for Aeroflot—and discusses how the aircraft's age, cargo operation, and the limited public attention to the accident could affect the investigation and what we ultimately learn from it.

John and Todd then turn to the July accident involving a Kodiak 100 seaplane operating near Manhattan. The aircraft suffered a hard landing that appeared to collapse one of its floats. Everyone on board survived without serious injury. 

Todd analyzes passenger video from the accident, highlighting what it reveals about the forces involved, the importance of floatplane emergency preparedness, and why several passengers appeared unsure where to locate their personal flotation devices.

The episode concludes with a discussion of a mysterious near miss involving an executive jet flying near New York that encountered an unidentified silver object at approximately 16,000 feet. Todd highlights the need for additional information and what questions investigators still need to answer.

Join John and Todd as they separate facts from speculation, explore what investigators know so far, and explain the aviation safety lessons emerging from these recent events.

✈️ Subscribe for expert analysis of aviation accidents, incidents, and the safety issues affecting pilots, airlines, mechanics, and passengers worldwide.

 

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/c/FlightSafetyDetectives], listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website [https://flightsafetydetectives.com].

 

Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program [https://www.youtube.com/@FlightSafetyDetectives/join] for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.

Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.

 

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Three New Aviation Events Everyone in Aviation Should Know About - Episode 337

World-renowned aviation-industry consultants and former NTSB investigators John Goglia and Greg Feith have 100 years of worldwide aviation safety experience between them. In this hard-hitting podcast 

Flight Safety Detectives · Zencastr

Flight Safety Detectives

World-renowned aviation-industry consultants and former NTSB investigators John Goglia and Greg Feith have 100 years of worldwide aviation safety experience between them. In this hard-hitting podcast series they talk about everything aviation -- from the behind-the-scenes facts on deadly air crashes to topics of interest such as tips and tricks for navigating through airports and security, traveling with infants and children, unruly passengers, and packing your bags to ease through security.