AvTalk Episode 216: Former NTSB Chair Robert Sumwalt

What this episode covers

On this episode of AvTalk, former NTSB Chair and member of the FAA’s recently formed Independent Safety Review Team, Robert Sumwalt joins the program to discuss the state of aviation safety in the United States and how industry and regulators are reacting to a recent spate of serious incidents.   YouTuber pleads guilty to obstruction in intentional crash YouTuber Trevor Jacob has pleaded guilty to obstructing the federal investigation into his intentional crash of his Taylorcraft BL-65 in 2021. A critical week for Indian airlines Jet Airways is still trying to get off the ground, IndiGo reports its earnings, and SpiceJet is having issues of its own with lessors. Meanwhile, Go First’s bankruptcy proceedings are turning up some interesting financial news, including a $300m loan to a Wadia Group company that appears to have been partially used to secure a separate loan for Go First. Cargolux loses a bogey The inner-right main gear assembly on a Cargolux 747 making an emergency return to Luxembourg separated from the aircraft after it had touched down earlier this week. Here’s video and here’s the ADS-B data. Final report on Tara Air Twin Otter crash released Investigators in Nepal released their final report on the crash of a Tara Air Twin Otter in May 2022. In conversation with Robert Sumwalt A spate of recent serious incidents have regulators and industry examining what can be done to improve aviation safety in the United States. Former NTSB Chair and member of the FAA’s recently formed Independent Safety Review Team, Robert Sumwalt is uniquely suited to help us understand the state of aviation safety in the US. Turkish Airlines want airplanes, a lot of airplanes Turkish Airlines’ chairman recently announced the airline is preparing to order 600 new airplanes. We discuss the breakdown of the order between manufacturers and sizes as well as the effect such a order will have on Turkish’s future development. WestJet pilots set to strike Barring a last-minute breakthrough, by the time you’re listening to the podcast WestJet pilots will likely be on strike. EASA warns on A380 wing spar cracks EASA has issued a new airworthiness directive for A380 wing spar cracks with a new factor their calling “factored time on ground” (FTOG). Aviation Week has the details on what’s changed and what hydrogen embrittlement has to do with anything. C919 back in the air After delivery and flying for a short period of time, China Eastern’s first Comac C919 returned back to Comac. Now it’s back flying with China Eastern again. Singapore reconfigures in favor of 787s Singapore Airlines is dropping some of the 737 MAX aircraft from its order book and taking additional 787s. Southwest expects 737-7 certification in August Southwest CEO Robert Jordan says Southwest Airlines expects FAA certification of the Boeing 737-7 MAX in August. Southwest is one of just a few airlines with 737-7 orders. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows?