Joseph R. Reynolds, PE, MEWI, MAE
Air Safety Investigator – Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems and Flight Data Analysis
Summary
Joseph R. Reynolds, PE, MEWI, MAE, is internationally recognized as a forensic engineering expert witness and is an authority regarding the investigation and analysis of aircraft accidents, aircraft fires and equipment failures, systems reliability research, and safety analysis, as well as producing emergency response preparedness scenarios and major claims resolution training courses, such as AViCON. He has served as the team leader and technical director, as well as principal testifier, in large multidisciplinary investigations. Examples of his specific experience in aviation encompasses aircraft accident analysis and cockpit scenario reconstructions, airborne radar and communications, electric power systems, aircraft wiring, and protection, flight sensors and controls, avionics and flight instrument analysis, aircraft electric safety hazards, and the production of integrated flight data visualisations and simulations. Mr. Reynolds also has considerable experience in research, construction, and testing of aircraft electronics.
Mr. Reynolds is the founder and president of RTI Group, LLC based in the US, as well as the founder and chairman of the London based UK firm Reynolds Technological Inquiries Limited, RTI Ltd, with offices in South America. The RTI companies are an international consultancy of experienced experts with a new research centre to determine the cause of electrical, material, and mechanical failures. An advanced multimedia studio provides the visuals to effectively present our findings. A highly-diversified firm, RTI specializes in accident and failure analysis of various size matters involving aviation, marine, rail, telecommunications, power utilities, and high risk industries.
Mr. Reynolds has given expert testimony in arbitration hearings and courts of law, and has appeared before safety boards and international professional forums.
Academic Background
• Postgraduate Studies, Engineering and Mathematics, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
• B.E.S., Electrical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
• A.A.S., Electrical Technology, The Capitol Institute of Technology, Washington, D.C.
• University of Leeds, Fire/Explosion Dynamics, United Kingdom.
• University of Liverpool, Basic British Law, United Kingdom.
• The Royal Society of Medicine, British Court Procedures, United Kingdom.
Registration
• Registered Professional Engineer, Electrical: Maryland
Professional Experience
• Founder and President of RTI Group, LLC (RTI), Annapolis, MD, February 2006 to present.
• Founder and CEO of Reynolds Technological Inquiries Limited, RTI Ltd (RTI), London, UK, July 2005 to present.
• Founder and President of Reynolds Technologies International, LLC (RTI), wholly-owned subsidiary of FTI Consulting, Inc., Annapolis, MD, 2003-2004.
• CEO and Executive Director, Anamet, Inc., Hayward, California, 2003 to 2016. Re-established materials engineering and testing laboratory originally founded in 1958.
• Co-founder, FTI Consulting, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland, 1982-2003. Served as Senior Vice President, Chief Scientist, President, Vice Chairman and Chairman. Team leader and principal investigator on numerous major loss investigations, aviation accident analyses, product and systems reliability research and safety analysis reviews, while serving as the head of all Engineering and Scientific Services that became the Applied Sciences Consulting Division.
• Director, Forensic Engineering Directorate, ManTech International Corporation, CADCOM Division, 1975-1982. Established and developed forensic engineering analysis services while directing and conducting investigations and research involving aging power generation equipment, electrical accidents and equipment failures.
• Research Engineer, Aerospace Safety, Airborne Military Intelligence Operations and Research, prior to 1975. Participated in writing System Safety Manuals for NASA flight systems. Directed and conducted root cause failure investigations primarily in the areas of aircraft avionics and black box equipment failures, fires, explosions, and electric wiring. Additional experience with USAF airborne radar systems and military intelligence research for EW operations.
Professional Associations and Activities
• Academy of Experts of London, Full Member
• American Society of Safety Engineers, Professional Member
• Expert Witness Institute of London, Full Member
• Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, Fellow Member
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Life Senior Member: Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society - Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society - Power Engineering Society
• International Society of Air Safety Investigators, Member No. MO3982
• The Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, National Advisory Council Chairman
• National Society of Professional Engineers, Member
• Royal Aeronautical Society, Corporate Member
• Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honorary Society
• UK Flight Safety Committee, Corporate Member
Research Activities
• Airborne Radar Research
• Avionics and Aircraft Electrical Systems Failure Analysis
• Cockpit Accident Sequence Reconstruction
• Electrical Fire Ignition Research
• Electronic Warfare Research and Operations
• Cable Insulation Failure Analyses
• Flight Path Reconstruction and Visualization
• Forensic Investigation of Aircraft Electrical Distribution System Incidents
• Computer Modelling and Animation Applications
• High-Energy Physics Research
• Reconstructive Fire Science and Full-scale Burn Testing
Lectures and Presentations
Frequent speaker and seminar presenter and guest lecturer for a variety of groups and organizations including:
• The Federal Judicial Centre Research Division
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• William and Mary School of Law, Courtroom 21 Project
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• American Society of Safety Engineer(ASSE)
• Insurance Claims and Underwriting Groups
• The Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering
• University of Maryland, School of Engineering
• Morgan State University, School of Engineering
• National Institute of Standards and Technology, Centre for Fire Research
• International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI)
• Georgetown University Law School, Aviation Law Lecturer
• Inns of Court School of Law, Lloyds
• American Bar Association (ABA)
• Expert Witness Institute
• AViCON – Aviation Insurance Conference
• International Air & Transportation Safety Bar Association
• Lawline
