Discipline

Senior Aeronautical Engineer and Aviation Accident Investigator

He is an Aeronautical Engineer with over 40 years of aviation experience in accident investigation, reconstruction, and aviation safety, as well as piloting for over 45 years.  He has participated in the investigation of over 100 fatal and non-fatal general aviation, military and airline accidents throughout the world.  He has been responsible for leading a major manufacturer’s participation in domestic and international accident investigation activities.  His career has also included serving as a senior aerodynamics and stability and control engineer at a major airframe manufacturer.  His wide range of experience in aviation includes amateur-built airplanes, general aviation airplanes, helicopters, corporate jets, and large transport airplanes.

He has provided expert testimony as to his findings in courts of law.

Academic Background

• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo 

• Various graduate-level courses in Engineering, University of Washington and Washington State University

• Certificate, Safety Program Management, University of Southern California

• NTSB Aircraft Accident Investigation School, Advanced Course

• Boeing 747-400 Ground School, Boeing Commercial Airplanes

 

Professional Experience

• Senior Aeronautical Engineer and Aviation Accident Investigator, RTI Group, LLC, 2010 – Present

• Aviation Safety Consultant and founding partner, private company,  1999 – 2010

• Air Safety Investigator and Chief Investigator, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group,  1988-1999

• Contract Engineer, Gulfstream Aerospace, Sikorsky Helicopter Company and Rockwell International Space Shuttle Division, 1984-1986

• Senior Engineer – Stability and Control, Boeing Commercial Airplane Company,      1976-1984 and 1986-1988

• Liaison Engineer, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 1974-1976


Other Professional Experience

• Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, Control Systems – Classical Control Theory

• Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, Airplane Performance

• ASTM Fire Hazards in Oxygen Systems


Professional Associations and Activities

• Former Associate Staff, FAA Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) Aviation and Environmental Safety Division

• Instructor, NTSB Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Course

• Instructor, Southern California Safety Institute and University of Southern California Aviation Safety Program

Promotion