Author Archives: walterh

Been Delayed Again

Yes, real life has once again delayed the podcast! First it was the job situation. Like many people out there, my job is somewhat in jeopardy, so being able to have the energy to do something as fun as I consider the podcast was just not happening.  It’s hard to focus on something you consider […]

The Crashes of the de Havilland Comets in the 1950s

Today we go back into history by almost 70 years and discuss three different crashes of the de Havilland Comet that happened in 1953 and 1954.  These crashes changed not only the way airplanes were manufactured, but also increased our understanding of metal fatigue. And it’s why we have circular windows in airplanes these days, […]

The 1918 Spanish Flu

In this, my first podcast in 10 months, I talk about an illness that gripped the world over 100 years ago, the 1918 Spanish Flu.  From the origins of the epidemic to the four waves that spread across the globe, this remains one of the most deadly epidemics in human history. I touch on quite […]

Sudden Silence, Explained

So I’d done really well with updating the podcast starting at the end of 2018, and made it a monthly thing.  Not as often as I wanted, but still managed to get some good podcasts out.  I even got a really good interview podcast done with Professor Daniel Aldrich about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. […]

The 3/11 Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Catastrophes of Tohoku, Japan

In this very special podcast, I go over a bit about Japan’s 3/11 catastrophe.  Now most of the world is familiar with what 9/11 means, but until recently, I did not know that Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and the nuclear catastrophes of the Fukushima Daiichi plant were known as the 3/11 disasters.  And there’s so much […]

The Crash of JAL Flight 123 on August 12th, 1985

Today’s podcast goes into the horrific crash that led to the largest loss of life in a single-plane accident in aviation history.  Not only was the crash horrific, but the aftermath of the rescue was so bungled, that it left people to die. As always, you can download the latest podcast from here, find us […]

The Crash And Legacy of PSA Flight 182 from September, 1978

Today’s podcast is about a subject that has changed commercial and private aviation forever, giving us a legacy of safer flying while paying respect to the lives lost.  Every time you fly on a modern airliner, the memory of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 should be honored. As always, you can download the latest podcast […]

A Look At Uncontrolled Engine Failures in Two Different Catastrophes

Today’s podcast is about two different incidents, that are not only 30 years apart but are immeasurably different based on the outcomes of both incidents.  The first, United Airlines Flight 232, is one that haunts me just because of the sheer horror in the detail that was caught on camera, while the second, Southwest Airlines […]

Never Underestimate The Level of Stupidity of People In Large Groups

As of this writing, there’s been another plane crash in Russia.  This time it’s a Sukoi SuperJet that’s crashed in Moscow.  The plane landed with half of it on fire, and somehow the pilots were able to calmly bring the plane to a stop on a runway, where people started to evacuate. That anyone got […]

A New Thought on Air Safety?

So the majority of the airline crashes that I’ve covered here have been based in the United States, though yes, there have been others like Tenerife, that happened overseas.  In the US, airline crashes – as long as they are not the result of criminal issues like a hijacking or the like – are treated […]