ntsb

Thousands of electric vehicle drivers and their passengers may not be protected if involved in a crash with barriers meant to keep them alive.

Newly released crash tests reveal guardrails failed involving two popular models on the road today: the Tesla Model 3 sedan and the Rivian R1T pickup.

The video, obtained exclusively by Atlanta News First Investigates, shows when the Tesla hit a guardrail at 62 miles per hour, the vehicle goes through the barrier.

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/01/10/crash-tests-reveal-guardrails-failed-protect-tesla-rivian-vehicles/

Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the speaker are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of any other organization or entity with which they may be affiliated. The content provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent the official stance of any other group or institution.

In this insightful episode of Uplink, we tackle the sensitive and crucial topic of mental health in the aviation industry, focusing on the hidden struggles of pilots. Our conversation with Dr. William "Billy" Hoffman, a neurologist and aeromedical researcher, sheds light on the complexities of healthcare avoidance among pilots and the broader implications for aviation safety.

We delve into the multifaceted reasons behind pilots' reluctance to disclose mental health issues, exploring how this fear affects their well-being and professional lives. Dr. Hoffman illuminates the unique challenges pilots face in managing their mental health, distinct from other professions. He discusses the delicate balance between ensuring aviation safety and supporting pilots' mental health needs, especially given their concerns about losing certification.

The discussion further uncovers the demographic factors influencing pilots' healthcare avoidance and the implications of these behaviors on a personal level, rippling through the aviation industry. We examine pilots' unique position regarding health disclosures and how this influences their decisions, especially in light of Dr. Hoffman's research revealing the vast scope of this issue, with over half of U.S. pilots reporting a history of healthcare avoidance.

Addressing the pressing need for change, we explore alternative approaches and solutions to effectively and compassionately address pilots' mental health concerns. The conversation also highlights the significant issue of pilots avoiding healthcare for fear of losing their flying status and the widespread nature of this problem in the aviation industry.

We consider the dynamic nature of mental health and whether the current system adequately supports pilots dealing with temporary or situational mental health issues. The episode also delves into the negative repercussions pilots face when grounded due to mental health issues, including the evolving narrative about pilots' health behavior and its implications following the Alaska Airlines incident.

Our discussion with Dr. Hoffman is not just an analysis of current events; it's a deep dive into the challenges of public trust, industry confidence, and the future of aviation safety. We explore the critical steps needed to shift the aviation culture towards a more open and supportive approach to mental health, ensuring pilots' well-being and passengers' safety. Join us on Uplink as we navigate these crucial issues, charting a course toward a more understanding and supportive future in the aviation industry.

Key Moments:

0:00 - 4:47 - Introduction and Overview: Starting with the focus on mental health in aviation, the introduction of Dr. Billy Hoffman, and his advocacy for innovative mental health solutions for pilots.

4:47 - 9:29 - Impact of Mental Health Disclosure and Unique Needs: Discussion about the effects of mental health issue disclosure on pilots' well-being, their unique mental health needs, and the balance between aviation safety and mental health support.

9:29 - 14:29 - Addressing Mental Health in Aviation: Emphasizing the importance of addressing mild mental health symptoms in pilots, the barriers they face in seeking mental health care, and alternative approaches for pilot mental health.

14:29 - 20:27 - Comprehensive Mental Health Challenges: Exploring the necessity of honest health disclosure, transitioning to a performance-based approach, and addressing mental health among new mothers in aviation.

20:27 - 26:02 - Demographics, Misinformation, and Global Perspectives: Focusing on demographic differences in healthcare avoidance, the impacts of informal healthcare seeking, and international perspectives on aviation mental health.

26:02 - 31:35 - Systemic Changes and Cultural Shifts: Discussing training programs and healthcare avoidance, the need for systemic change in the aviation industry, and the role of unions and organizations in advocating for pilots' mental health.

31:35 - 39:44 - In-depth Analysis and Closing Thoughts: Delving into the historical context of pilot health standards, the dual role of military flight surgeons, and Dr. Hoffman's final thoughts on mental health in aviation.

47:12 - 49:05 - The conversation continues. Join the Uplink—LinkUp  and Uplink—LinkUp: DC Metro

Episode 117: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Loses Its Exit Door Plug Just After Takeoff

On January 5, 2024, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 was taking off from Portland (PDX) and headed for Ontario (ONT). Everything was routine, until just after takeoff at 16,000' into the ascent, the exit row plug separated from the rest of the airplane.

The crew was able to do a loop and land the airplane back at Portland Airport safely.

There were 171 passengers and six crew members onboard. There were zero fatalities.

Major railroad disasters tend to produce major news headlines, but there are hundreds of derailments each year in America that we never hear about. Why is that?

**skip to about 9:30 to get right down to the business of the episode**

This week is actually a discussion of several incidents involving DUKWs, commonly known as "duck boats," with a focus on the 1999 Miss Majestic incident in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and the 2018 Table Rock Lake (Missouri) Ride The Ducks accident.  

NTSB Safety Recommendation Report

"Odd DUKW" (Smithsonian, 2002)

"... new duck boat company plans Branson operation"

*Originally released 9/20/21; edited and re-uploaded 2/18/22

With highway fatalities up by 8% compared to the same period in a non pandemic time, whereas vehicle miles travelled has come down, here to discuss what we can be doing as individuals, as companies, as a society, to combat these alarming trends, is Robert Sumwalt, retired NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Chairman. 

“The NTSB is a federal agency charged by Congress to investigate transportation accidents, to determine the probable cause, and issue safety recommendations to keep those accidents and crashes from happening.”

How external influences, i.e. handheld mobile devices, PDAs etc are distracting drivers and causing crashes, what teen driver safety initiatives parents can implement to improve the chances of a teen driving safely, the noteworthy trends in road safety that are alarming Robert, his thoughts on driverless cars and why they will have a profound effect on improving safety and improving efficiency on the roadways, and his sobering words around the human toll from transportation accidents: 

“Part of my responsibilities as chairman of the board, before we go into a board meeting to deliberate a particular accident or crash is to meet with family members within hours of the tragedy, their emotions still raw. And one thing that I take away is that life is so precious, and we see how easily it can be snuffed out.”

Don’t miss Robert Sumwalt on this episode of Global Road Safety.

On today’s podcast:

• The mission of the NTSB
• How human factors influence driving accidents
• Teen driver safety initiatives
• Why highway fatalities are up 8%
• Why driverless cars will improve safety
• The human toll of transportation accidents 

Links:

• NTSB

The NTSB has completed their analysis of the May 12, 2019 crash of a small airplane into a Madeira home. This is the story of the moments leading up to that fateful accident, the people who saw it all happen and what the NTSB says brought this plane down killing the pilot on board. 
@StevenAlbritton 

When two float planes collided mid-air, plummeting into a remove inlet and killing a number of cruise ship passengers on board, CTV Vancouver sent a crew north to Alaska to learn more about the crash. Not only had their ship left from the port of Vancouver days earlier, but a metro Vancouver husband and wife died aboard one of the sea-planes.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host Penny Daflos and reporter Allison Hurst discuss the logistics of getting to Ketchikan and the George Inlet where the planes went down, as well as the delicate task of reporting in a community awash in grief. 

In this episode – available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts – co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby discuss whether Airbus is seriously considering stretching its A220, and what that might mean to the passenger experience and the future of the Airbus A319.

Next, the National Transportation Safety Board has issued its Most Wanted List, detailing its safety recommendations for 2019-2020. Among the action items the NTSB would like to see prioritized over the next two years, the board is calling on the FAA to address the gap in safety requirements between commercial airlines and those operating under Part 135 for air tour, air medical service, air taxi charter or on-demand flights. While it’s true that NTSB recommendations are just that – recommendations, this particular recommendation is noteworthy. Max explains why.

Last but not least, airlines are looking at creative ways to partner with brands. In recent weeks, American Airlines has announced an arrangement that sees the carrier offer Apple Music for free to passengers on all aircraft equipped with Viasat high-speed Internet. In China, a carrier called Lucky Air teamed with McDonald’s on a very different kind of promotion for the Chinese New Year - the airline slapped McDonald’s brand throughout its aircraft, engaged in inflight trivia games with its passengers, and provided giveaways linked to the promotion. Now the inflight entertainment and connectivity industry is looking to place personalized, targeted advertising in front of airline passengers. Mary recently attended the APEX TECH conference in Los Angeles, where programmatic advertising for IFEC was a big topic of discussion. She updates us on their plans, and Max and Mary consider the impact on #PaxEx.