Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In this 300th episode of the Flight Safety Detectives podcast, Greg Feith, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia welcome special guest Sarah MacLeod, executive director of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA).
Maintenance issues get the spotlight, including how maintenance professionals and aircraft operators are challenged to understand how FAA maintenance regulations and standards apply to them.
MacLeod is a vocal advocate for individuals and companies on international aviation safety law, policy, and compliance issues. She and John have each worked to shape FAA regulations and policies, sometimes in conflict but always with the same objectives in mind.
This special episode touches on major changes that have shaped aviation in the 21st century. There are takeaways here for new as well as seasoned aviation professionals.
Want to experience Flight Safety Detectives live? Become a channel member today. Join our Membership program for exclusive perks like live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.
Thank you to our latest members
Will Wagner
bjmcneill1
Leonardo Martins Brondani
Lizzy Goldstein
MJ
Joshua de Bueger
Deb Lewis
Bradley Williams
dmatech
K w
Want to support our mission to enhance aviation safety? Become a sponsor. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.
Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8
In this 300th episode of the Flight Safety Detectives podcast, Greg Feith, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia welcome special guest Sarah MacLeod, executive director of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA).
Maintenance issues get the spotlight, including how maintenance professionals and aircraft operators are challenged to understand how FAA maintenance regulations and standards apply to them.
MacLeod is a vocal advocate for individuals and companies on international aviation safety law, policy, and compliance issues. She and John have each worked to shape FAA regulations and policies, sometimes in conflict but always with the same objectives in mind.
This special episode touches on major changes that have shaped aviation in the 21st century. There are takeaways here for new as well as seasoned aviation professionals.
Want to experience Flight Safety Detectives live? Become a channel member today. Join our Membership program for exclusive perks like live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.
Thank you to our latest members
Will Wagner
bjmcneill1
Leonardo Martins Brondani
Lizzy Goldstein
MJ
Joshua de Bueger
Deb Lewis
Bradley Williams
dmatech
K w
Want to support our mission to enhance aviation safety? Become a sponsor. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com.
Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8







![Smart Pilot Makes Bad Decision and Pays with His Life - Episode 268
A pilot with many hours of experience and an instructor rating died following the bad decision to fly his newly purchased airplane without first understanding how the aircraft systems operate. He also did not review the logbooks or have the plane looked over after 10 years sitting idle.
The pilot had purchased a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche. Key facts in the NTSB report and public docket show that the pilot did not have a pre-buy inspection, was not familiar with the aircraft’s systems, and ignored the advice of his friend and former CFI to not fly.
The pilot knew about a landing gear indication light problem before takeoff. He proceeded without resolving it or reviewing the appropriate emergency procedures for operating the landing gear. The plane stalled and crashed while he tried to troubleshoot the issue in flight.
In this analysis with John Goglia and Todd Curtis, Greg Feith shares that he is currently in the process of buying a used airplane. Like the accident pilot, the aircraft has not flown in several years. Unlike the accident pilot, he is working closely with an experienced mechanic to make the aircraft airworthy and to examine all systems on the aircraft.
Greg is frustrated with the quality of the decisions made by the pilot before and during the flight. He’s further critical of the NTSB’s analysis of this accident. The probable cause statement focuses on a stall that happened at the end of the flight rather than all the pilot actions before and during the flight.
“[The NTSB probably cause statement is] so vanilla. It is such a cop-out,” Greg says.
This accident is a result of poor aeronautical decision-making by the pilot and the actions of others around the pilot who failed to assert proper safety practices.
Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8 Smart Pilot Makes Bad Decision and Pays with His Life - Episode 268](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ujYKumP6scE/mqdefault.jpg)


