Category Archives: Podcasts

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, […]

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 […]

The Crash of Helios Airways Flight #522

Today’s podcast goes back a few years to the crash of Helios Airways flight #522, outside of Athens, Greece.  This is one of those accidents that completely freaks me out, personally, because of the circumstances behind it.  If you don’t know about the crash, then once the details are revealed, you’ll know what I’m talking […]

The Halifax Explosion of 1917

Today’s podcast goes back over 100 years and discusses the day that the town of Halifax was decimated by an explosion that was so bad, it pushed the headlines about World War I off the front page of the paper for a few days.  And if you stay to the end, I go a little […]

The Dupont Plaza Hotel fire of 1986, and the Humberto Vidal Building Explosion of 1996

Today’s podcast is a Puerto Rican ‘two-fer’ that goes over the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire of 1986, and the Humberto Vidal Building explosion of 1996, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  I have a little personal history with the Dupont Plaza Hotel, at least in its new incarnation, and have decided to return this year […]

The Crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 401 on December 29th, 1972

Today’s podcast goes into the circumstances around Eastern Airlines flight 401, and how that crash brought about big changes to the field of aviation once the findings came out.  Like other catastrophes, there were a series of issues that led to the crash, including some that could have solved the problem without further issue.  But […]