Wellstone Crash Report Misses Important Safety Findings

Flight Safety Detectives

Episode 102

Even high-profile crashes can result in NTSB reports that miss important safety takeaways. The focus of this episode is the October 2002 crash that killed Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others. John, Greg, Todd and guest Dick Healing talk about facts that played a much greater role in the accident than the listed probable cause.

“There is no question that contributing factors were poor practices by the operator,” Healing says.

The charter operator’s organizational deficiencies set this flight up for failure before takeoff.

• Pairing of two pilots with questionable skills
• Lack of equipment such as cockpit recorders and proper manuals
• Questionable FAA oversight

While the NTSB has highlighted these issues in final reports for large carrier accidents, they are only found in the docket of this investigation.

Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.

Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8