Active in aviation accident investigation and reconstruction since 1965. Participated with the NTSB in over 25 field investigations, and has assisted in the reconstruction of more than 100 accidents. He was chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association National Accident Investigation Board, and was chairman of the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations Accident Analysis Committee. Has completed courses in accident investigation and reconstruction, and taught courses in those disciplines to airline pilot investigators. He has won several awards for his accident investigation and reconstruction activities. This expert has over 47 years of experience as a commercial pilot in Part 121, Part 135 and Part 91 operations. He has over 22,000 hours of flight time, and is type rated in 12 different aircraft types. He is experienced in airline aircraft, corporate aircraft, and light aircraft, and with flying corporate aircraft in domestic and international operations. This expert has over 500 hours of flight instructor time in light and corporate jet aircraft. He has been a chief pilot for several operations, and has been approved by the FAA as an instructor and check airman on several aircraft types under Part 135.
He is an experienced trial witness.
Aviation Experience
Pilot since 1959; employed as a pilot in Part 121 or part 135 operations from 1961 until present; Captain since 1971; flew the MD-11 for US Part 125 air carriers in international operations for two and one-half years; flew military contract charter for a major airline in both Atlantic and Pacific operations. Experience flying as contract pilot on the G-IV and the Falcon 900EX, part 135 and part 91, domestic and international. Formerly Chief Pilot for Air Carrier Operations and Director of Safety, large Part 135 corporate jet charter company operating 23 jet aircraft; Flight Instructor/Check Airman in the Falcon 900/50, Hawker 800/700; Former Ground and Flight Instructor/Check Airman, Lear 35 and King Air 200/90. Has attended Flight Safety pilot Training School for the G-IV, DA-900EX, HS-125, LR-Jet, CE-500 and King Air, and SimuFlite Training School for the DA-50; as well as attended Piper Aircraft factory pilot school for Piper PA-46 Malibu Mirage aircraft. Airline Transport Pilot, with Type Ratings in the CE-500, LR-JET, HS125, DA-50, L-188, B-727, B-757, B-767, A-300, L-1011, and MD-11; Flight Engineer, Turbo-jet and Reciprocating Engine Powered; Certified Flight Instructor, Single and Multi-Engine, and Instrument.
Academic Background
- MS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University, 1982, specializing in Design Engineering
- BS, Physics, Fairleigh Dickinson University, graduated Summa Cum Laude, 1978
- Graduate courses in Aerospace Engineering included: Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance, Stability and Control, Fluid Dynamics, Strength and Failure Modes of Structural Materials, Stress Analysis, Design Engineering
- Completed courses in Aircraft Accident Investigation, University of Southern California, 1968
- Completed courses in basic and advanced surface transportation accident reconstruction, Northwestern University, 1991. Completed courses in advanced computer graphics, Pratt Institute, New York City
Professional Experience
- Senior Aviation Accident Investigator and Reconstructionist consultant, RTI Group, 2008 – present
- Contract Pilot, G-IV and DA-900EX, Parts 135 and 91, 2004 – Present.
- Chief Pilot, DA-900 EX Part 91 Operations, World-Wide, 1999-2004
- Chief Pilot, Air Carrier Operations/Director of Safety/Flight Instructor/Check Airman Atlantic Aviation, 1997-1999
- Chief Pilot/Ground and Flight Instructor/Check Airman, Northeast Airways, Inc., 1996-1997
- World Airways – Pilot, MD-11; World-wide Part 121 passenger and cargo, Retired, 1995-1996
- US Africa Airways – Captain, MD-11; Part 121 passenger carrier flying from the US to South Africa (airline ceased operations),1994 – 1995
- Baltia Air Lines – Captain, B-767, hired as a training and check airman on a Part 121 passenger carrier to fly from the US to Russia (airline lost financing), 1993
- Eastern Air Lines – Captain, B-757, returned to Eastern by judicial order after strike (airline ceased operations, 1990 – 1991
- Million Air, Inc. – Captain, CE-500, Part 135 Corporate charter operation, Chief Flight Instructor, Part 141 Flight School, left to rejoin Eastern, 1989-1990
- Zarconi Aviation – Captain, A-300, Cairo, Egypt based passenger carrier, flying in northern and southern Africa and to Europe and the Middle East, left to join Million Air, 1989 – 1989
- Eastern Air Lines – Captain, L-1011, A-300, B-727, L-188, First Officer, DC-8, DC-7, left due to machinists’ work stoppage, 1962 – 1989
- Instructed in Rutgers University and Princeton University ROTC Basic Flying Programs, 1962-1966
- Admiral Airways – First Officer, DC-6B, US / Honolulu passenger operation, left to join Eastern, 1962
- United Air Lines – Second Officer, DC-6 and DC-7, furloughed, 1961-1962
Professional Associations and Activities
- ALPA National Accident Investigation Board, Member 1966-1991; Chairman 1980-1984
- IFALPA Accident Analysis Committee, Member, 1981-1991; Chairman, 1982-1986; Vice-Chairman, 1981, 1986-1991
- Eastern Air Lines/ALPA Accident Investigation Committee, Member, 1964-1991; Chairman 1980-1984
- ALPA National SST Evaluation Committee, Cockpit and System Design, Past Member
- Eastern Air Lines/ALPA SST Evaluation Committee, Cockpit and System Design, Past Member
- International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI)
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Board of Directors, 1966-1969
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
- International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations Alpha – Omega Club (Previous IFALPA Award Winners)
