384 NTSB News Talk podcast – Unpacking the Fatal Crash of a Citation Jet, N611VG Caused by Cabin Decompression

Max Trescott and Rob Mark launch the first episode of NTSB News Talk, diving into NTSB agency news, recent accidents and newly published NTSB reports to help pilots better understand accident causes and improve decision-making in the cockpit. Please help us improve the show by sending us your feedback here. To hear future episodes of NTSB News Talk, Follow or Subscribe to the show in your podcast app.

They begin with a surprising administrative shake-up: the unexplained termination of NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown . Rob questions the lack of transparency, pointing out how an independent agency like the NTSB should not be subject to political scapegoating without clear justification. Max brings up that the NTSB is hiring .

Next, they turn to cockpit video recorders—a long-recommended safety item by the NTSB. While commercial pilots and unions resist them on privacy grounds, Max and Rob argue that video can play a vital role in understanding pilot behavior and causes of crashes, especially in general aviation where data is often limited. Rob references Matt Thurber’s editorial advocating for video recorders and highlights tools like CloudAhoy that already allow post-flight review.

The hosts then discuss several accidents. One involved a Cessna 207 in Alaska that crashed during a go-around, possibly due to a dog on the runway. They examine when it’s safer to land versus abort, and why go-around procedures—rarely practiced—are often poorly executed, even by experienced pilots.

Two Citabria crashes raise density altitude concerns. One near Big Creek, Idaho , ended with no survivors; the other, in Wyoming, occurred during a flight to spread ashes . A partial engine power loss, high terrain, and low climb capability proved fatal. Both hosts emphasize how critical it is for instructors to teach performance limitations in high-elevation operations, especially in underpowered aircraft.

Max talked about a Fireboss firefighting seaplane that ditched in the Atlantic, killing the pilot, while on a ferry flight to the Azores. He mentioned that experience ferry pilot Sarah Rovner talked in detail about ferry piloting issues in episode 379 of the Aviation News Talk podcast.

Another incident highlights poor weather decision-making. A Piper PA-28 crashed near Mount Equinox, Vermont after entering icing conditions in IMC. The non-instrument-rated pilot, traveling with family on a ski trip, stalled and crash-landed. The hosts explain how “get-there-itis” and poor weather avoidance can prove fatal, and caution against pressing on in marginal conditions—especially with passengers aboard.

The episode’s deep dive analyzes the fatal accident of N611VG, a Citation 560 over Virginia. The pilot lost cabin pressure at high altitude and became incapacitated due to insufficient supplemental oxygen. The aircraft, operating Part 91, had numerous maintenance discrepancies—including an empty oxygen bottle and neglected pressurization issues. The pilot and passengers perished. Rob emphasizes that maintenance negligence is a silent killer, and guests aboard privately owned aircraft may have no idea about their true safety risks.

Max and Rob conclude with a discussion on high-altitude emergency procedures, including explosive decompression response. They urge pilots to practice rapid descents to VMO and recognize the signs of hypoxia before it’s too late. Finally, they encourage all pilots—regardless of experience—to schedule a flight review with an instructor to refresh skills like go-arounds and emergency descents.

This debut episode delivers clear, actionable safety lessons and insider insight into real-world aviation accidents. It’s a must-listen for pilots, CFIs, aircraft owners, and anyone serious about flight safety and learning from the NTSB’s findings.

Mentioned on the Show
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217 $202 Million F-22 Crash Report, Light Gun Test for Colorblind Pilots + GA News

217 $202 Million F-22 Crash Report, Light Gun Test for Colorblind Pilots + GA News

Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you’re thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus.

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Summary
217 Max talks about the Air Force’s report on an F-22 Raptor fighter crash that occurred in the Florida Panhandle in May 2020. The accident chain shows several mistakes including maintenance, pilot and technology errors, plus a wayward piece of tape combined to cause the crash. Later, Max talks with Jason Blair about the light gun test that colorblind pilots can take to get night flying privileges. 

News Stories

Mentioned in the Show
Plane/Train Crash Video – Twitter
Police Body Camera Video of Plane/Train crash
Emirates Boeing 777-300 Incident at Dubai
Patient Airlift Services
Jason Blair’s Website
Schedule a Checkride with Jason
Jason Blair’s YouTube Channel

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124 B-17 Crash, General Aviation Accidents, Nall Report, and CBD Oil + GA News

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124 B-17 Crash, General Aviation Accidents, Nall Report, and CBD Oil + GA News

Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you’re thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus.

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Summary
124 We discuss the B-17 crash and possible causes. Max summarizes GA accident data from the AOPA Nall report. GA accidents have declined over the last ten years, and the fatal accident rate has dropped substantially Landings are the most common accident type. Experimental aircraft accidents have declined, but still have accidents at a higher rate than other aircraft. A listener asks about CBD Oil.  

News Stories

Mentioned in the Show
ForeFlight Frequent Filer contest
Patty Wagstaff Banquet
NTSB Aviation Database
NASA ASRS database
28th Joseph T Nall Report
Grand Canyon National Park Special Flight Rules Area
AOPA’s David Tulis on Grand Canyon
Beaumont Hotel Airport, Beaumont, KS
Beaumont Hotel, Beaumont, KS
Petition to Eliminate VOR Logging Requirement
Add Your Comment Supporting VOR Logging Petition
Aviation News Talk #5 on Deadly Distractions
FAA Aeromedical Advisory on CBD Oil – page 5

If you love the show and want more, visit my Patreon page to see fun videos, breaking news, and other posts in the Posts section. And if you decide to make a small donation each month,  you can get some goodies!

So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars
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Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we’ll make a couple of dollars if you do.

Check out our recommended Aviation Headsets, and order one for yourself!

Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.

Please Take our 2019 Social Media Survey. I’d love to understand how you use, or don’t use, social media, so I can target social media posts and advertising for Aviation News Talk to other people similar to you.

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109 Avoiding Midair and Near Midair Collisions + General Aviation News

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/9906911/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]109 Avoiding Midair and Near Midair Collisions + GA News

Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you’re thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus.

Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon.

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Summary
109 Max talks about Avoiding Midair and Near Midair Collisions. He recently had two near midair collisions (NMAC). While midair collisions are rare, NMACs are common, and pilots who have one should report it to the FAA. Collisions are more likely with aircraft with no radios and with agricultural aircraft. To avoid midairs, pilots should use flight following and good scanning techniques.

MidAir collision studies and Related Links
AOPA Nall Reports
AOPA Safety Advisor: Collision Avoidance
Near Mid Air Collision Searchable Database
Near Midair Collisions: How Many Really Occur?
MIT Study: Mid-Air Collision Risk
Study: Categorization of Near-Collision Close Calls – ASRS data
ASRS Database Report Set – NMAC Incidents
Midair Collision Image – Creative Commons License

Mentioned in the Show
FAA Aerospace Forecast 2019-2039
Collings Foundation Schedule
AOPA Regional Fly-in Livermore, CA
Book: Mountain Canyon and Backcountry Flying
CFI Bookcamp
Cirrus Pilot Proficiency Program (CPPP) – Chicago June 28-30
EAA Pilot Proficiency Center CFI Volunteers Needed
Pilot crashes during slow flight competition
Colorado Crash – VFR into IMC kills family of four
Overcast Podcast App audio clip feature
Simple Flight Radio Podcast
Episode 42 – Portable ASDS-B Receiver Limitations

If you love the show and want more, visit my Patreon page to see fun videos, breaking news, and other posts in the Posts section. And if you decide to make a small donation each month,  you can get some goodies!

So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars
Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification

Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we’ll make a couple of dollars if you do. 

Check out our recommended Aviation Headsets, and order one for yourself!

Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.

Please Take our 2019 Social Media Survey. I’d love to understand how you use, or don’t use, social media, so I can target social media posts and advertising for Aviation News Talk to other people similar to you.

Social Media
Follow Max on Instagram
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Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium

Max Trescott is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.