The Black Box Aviation Podcast

Why did a commercial jet and a military Black Hawk collide over the Potomac River? In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we analyze the NTSB final report on the 2025 DCA mid-air collision. We dive into the systemic FAA failures, air traffic control workload, and the heartbreaking connection to the 2026 Winter Olympics and US figure skater Maxim Naumov.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Incident: A minute-by-minute breakdown of PSA Flight 5342 and PAT25.

The Investigation: Why TCAS and ground-based safety nets failed to prevent the impact.

Historical Context: The haunting parallels to the 1961 Sabena Flight 548 disaster.

2026 Safety Reforms: How D.C. airspace has changed since the tragedy.

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#AviationSafety #BlackBoxPodcast #MaximNaumov #AviationHistory #NTSB #DCA #PotomacRiver

Why do airplanes hate the cold? In this episode, we’re breaking down the high-stakes world of Winter Aviation Operations. From Mike’s "sketchy" blizzard departure in Providence to the "cockpit gremlins" that appear when the mercury hits zero, we explore the technical challenges of de-icing, fuel planning, and keeping a jet alive in sub-zero Newark. If you've ever wondered what's happening behind the scenes during a snow delay, this is the episode for you.

What’s really going on with the MD-11? This week, Tom and Mike head into the "schoolhouse" to separate fact from fiction regarding the future of the iconic tri-jet. Plus, we’re breaking down the end of an era at Southwest Airlines as they transition to assigned seating.
In this episode, we discuss:
Southwest’s New Strategy: Tom’s firsthand report on the new boarding process and assigned seats.

The MD-11 Mystery: Is it a hardware fix or a permanent grounding? We look at the cost analysis Boeing is facing.

Winter Ops "Gremlins": Mike shares a wild story from a sub-zero Newark ramp involving mysterious cockpit alarms and a missing crew member.

Pilot Life & Training: The reality of "muscle memory" in the sim and why airplanes (and Floridian pilots) hate the cold.

International Travel 101: Pro tips on connection times and why a 2-hour layover is your new best friend.

Big Announcement: We have a special guest joining us next week! A regional airline pilot and influencer joins the show to talk about the next generation of flight.
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IG/X: @the_black_box01

Hotline: 203-699-6792

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#Aviation #PilotLife #MD11 #SouthwestAirlines #AirlineNews #FlightTraining #TravelTips

What really happened to Air New Zealand Flight 901? 🏔️✈️
In our first "Hot Topic" episode, Tom and Mike dive deep into one of the most controversial aviation accidents in history: the 1979 Mount Erebus disaster. What was supposed to be a luxury, champagne-filled sightseeing flight over Antarctica turned into a nightmare when a DC-10 slammed into an active volcano.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Luxury Experience: 36 flight attendants, gourmet meals, and the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary.

The Fatal Flaw: How a last-minute coordinate change in the FMS (Flight Management System) sent the crew on a collision course.

Whiteout Conditions: Why experienced pilots couldn't see a 12,000-foot volcano directly in front of them.

The "Orchestrated Litany of Lies": The investigation, the cover-up, and the dark shadow cast over the McDonnell Douglas DC-10.

The Recovery: The harrowing mission and the psychological toll on the salvage crews.

From "Sector Whiteouts" to the "Mahon Inquiry," we break down the CRM failures and the technical errors that changed aviation safety forever.
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#Aviation #AirDisasters #MountErebus #AirNewZealand901 #DC10 #AviationPodcast #TrueCrimeAviation #FlightSafety #PilotLife #BlackBoxAviation

In this milestone episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike officially bring the show to video for the very first time.
This special episode goes behind the scenes into their home studio setups, aviation memorabilia, podcast gear, and how the show is evolving from a traditional audio podcast into a full video aviation podcast experience.
But it’s not just about the studios — the conversation dives deep into real-world aviation and airline industry topics, including:
✈️ Episode topics:
First-ever Black Box Aviation video episode

Podcast evolution from audio to video

Airline industry changes

Cargo aviation vs passenger airlines

Pilot career pathways

Airline retirement and 401k structures

Fleet modernization

MD-11 legacy aircraft discussion

Airline business models

Premium seating strategies

Real pilot lifestyle realities

Aviation industry economics

Behind-the-scenes airline operations

This episode blends aviation insight, pilot experience, and industry analysis in a way only airline professionals can deliver — real conversations, no corporate filters.
📩 Contact the show:
✉️ [email protected]
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name)
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🎧 Follow the Black Box Aviation Podcast for real aviation talk, airline industry breakdowns, pilot life stories, and behind-the-scenes perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where we talk aviation, travel, and the things you NEED and WANT to know about flying.
It’s a quick-hit episode today—covering breaking aviation news, airline hiring shifts, and some classic stories from the road.
A look at a Challenger 600 crash in Bangor, Maine

UPS officially retires the MD-11 and what it means for cargo aviation

Southwest Airlines ends open seating—a major culture shift

A car crashes into Delta’s baggage claim at DTW and the serious security implications

The Frank Abagnale “fake pilot” story and modern aviation security concerns

Avelo Airlines restructuring, recent hiring, and why major carriers are watching

How low-time 737 pilots can position themselves for legacy airline jobs

Why proving you can pass a Part 121 training program is everything

Brandon texts in saying he loves hearing about the path to becoming an airline pilot — we’ll keep sharing our stories and plan to bring on a guest currently in the process

Alex emails asking about Spirit Airlines furloughs — updates include reduced captain downgrades and canceled furloughs for hundreds of pilots

A simple grocery store moment that turned into a reminder of why small acts matter

📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
☎️ Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)
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✈️ In this episode:👨‍✈️ Pilot Path Talk & Listener Shoutouts:🛒 Stories From the Road:📩 Hit the Plugs: