Pilot Col. Charles “Tre” Del Pizzo ejected from an operational F-35B stealth fighter jet when he became disoriented due to multiple system failures during a storm, according to a Marine Corps investigation. The aircraft’s radios, transponder, air navigation system, and helmet-mounted display began to fail due to an “electrical event”. The investigation found Del Pizzo’s decision to eject was “ultimately inappropriate,” as other instruments remained partially operational. Although he lost his command post in Arizona as a result of the incident, no punitive action was taken against Del Pizzo. The mishap occured over a year ago, and the report’s delay has sparked concerns about potential systemic issues with the aircraft.
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As someone who has recently flown with United Airlines, the recent incident of a United Airlines plane losing a wheel on takeoff in Los Angeles is quite concerning. When I flew with them, my flight was delayed due to the need to replace a wheel, which at the time I was glad they did because safety is paramount. It makes me wonder, is this the second wheel that United has lost this year? As the saying goes, once is an accident, but two times starts to look like a maintenance issue.
The fact that the wheel was recovered in Los Angeles, with an investigation ongoing to determine the cause, raises questions about the maintenance practices and overall safety protocols of the airline.… Continue reading
It is deeply troubling to hear about the claims made by Santiago Paredes, the Boeing whistleblower who brought to light serious defects in plane parts being shipped to Boeing by Spirit AeroSystems. The fact that he found up to 200 defects on parts is alarming, to say the least. It is concerning that he was met with resistance and nicknamed “showstopper” for simply trying to address the quality concerns he had identified. It is disheartening to think that someone who was trying to ensure the safety and quality of aircraft parts was met with such pushback.
The aerospace industry is one where quality and safety should never be compromised, yet it seems like in this case, there were significant issues with the parts being shipped to Boeing.… Continue reading
This story is tragic on so many levels. The fact that a contractor, Stephanie Cosme, walked directly into a spinning propeller and sustained fatal injuries is both shocking and heartbreaking. The details of her death highlight the importance of situational awareness, especially in areas like the flight line where aircraft are powered on and constant vigilance is required.
The report mentioned that Cosme was looking down at a testing device, possibly to keep the backlight on, and did not pay attention to her surroundings. It’s easy to become distracted, especially when working with industry-specific equipment that may not be user-friendly or up to date with modern technology standards.… Continue reading
This situation with Boeing and the US safety agency is truly mind-boggling. The fact that a video of door-plug removal was overwritten is suspicious at best. As an aircraft mechanic who works on Boeings, not for Boeing, I can attest to the meticulous documentation and records kept in the airline industry. The scale of work performed on these planes should generate a great deal of documentation, as safety and compliance are paramount.
When the NTSB chair, Jennifer Homendy, mentioned that Boeing failed to disclose documents and the names of workers involved in the door-plug opening and closing, it raised a red flag.… Continue reading
As a frequent traveler, the recent news of a Boeing flight experiencing a sudden drop after an instrument failure is beyond concerning. The idea that a pilot would convey to a passenger that he had lost control due to such a failure is alarming, to say the least. It raises questions about the safety and integrity of Boeing aircraft, especially in light of the company’s recent track record of putting profits over quality and safety.
The fact that Boeing has been under fire for charging extra to activate safety features that were already built into the planes is a red flag in itself.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker