lifter123

Is there anyone on here who knows anything about working in aviation accident investigation?

Are you able to be certified and work free-lance? Also, how does one go about becoming an investigator? I've only found two programs, one at ERAU and one at Central Missouri.

I've been toying around with the idea of going to grad school, and this type of education really interests me, plus it would look good to potential employers and improve your aviation knowledge.

Thanks

rickair7777

In most fields, freelancers generally got their experience working for the man, I would imagine that would be the case here...you would need to spend years as an NTSB investigator, and make a name for yourself. Investigators have a variety of educational backgrounds, engineering being common for obvious reasons.

In my experience, freelance investigators of pretty much anything are not hired primarily for their investigative skills...they are are hired for their persuasive skills while testifying in a courtroom. You would need to have the gift of gab, and a high degree of "flexibility" at interpreting the facts in favor of your client.

The client does not usually hire a freelancer to find out what happened. The client already knows what his desired outcome would be...and freelancers who do not have a reputation for backing up their clients probably don't get a lot of work.

If you want to investigate accidents with minimal interference or ethical conflicts, work for the NTSB.

lifter123

I guess being an "expert witness" really isn't where I would want that to go, but rather having a strong background in aviation safety and accident investigation...therefore making me a more well-rounded pilot.

However, a masters degree in that field could prove to be a good back-up career. What I was really wondering is, how does one become an aviation accident investigator? Is there some sort of degree, certificate, or as you mentioned, just working with the NTSB for a very long time and moving up the ladder. As always, thank you for the insightful response.

11Fan

I met this fella once while we were both transitioning through SEA. He was on his way to Guam for the KAL CFIT and I was in Seattle talking about Swissair 111. Got to share a few stories. He seemed like a stand-up guy and he's certainly kicked some tin.

Greg Feith

May give you a little insight into the field.

Best of luck.

SebastianDesoto

ERAU's graduate program is not as finely tuned toward accident investigations as you might think. I know, I gave it a half hearted shot. I took the undergraduate program with Bill Waldock. It was AWESOME. They have a crash lab in AZ and it is a fine training from an experienced individual. He has even taught seminars and classes for FAA folks.

The problem with the program is that the Graduate level qualified instructors do NOT have experience in the field of aircraft accident investigation. I became heavily discouraged in my program when I talked to my guidance counselor (a graduate level instructor) about two classes in particular. Aircraft Accident Analysis and Accident Investigation. He asked me if I took the undergraduate level class. When I told him yes, he said I really didn't need to take the Graduate level courses and that Bill's class pretty much exceeded those courses in depth.

The outline the guidance counselor gave me was intended to give a broader education on industrial health and hygiene, and essentially educate on OSHA regulations.

This is not to say you cannot build a heavily aviation related program, or that it is a bad program. You can build a heavily aviation safety program. What I deduced from the program, however, was the experience was not really with accident and aviation safety. It was in the Occupational Health and Safety professionals and Industrial Hygiene. The vast majority of the students either became the same or were destined for it. NOT ALL, but most. Very few professional pilots are in the program. Personally, I simply was not interested in half the classes.

I looked at the people actually doing the job of accident investigation. Like rickair said, a lot of these people are engineers or experienced in aviation in other ways or just experienced pilots.

My suggestion, especially for a graduate level student, is to look deeply at the catalog, read the course descriptions. That’s how you will really know what you are being taught. Ask what the instructors backgrounds are. Do your research.

http://www.erau.edu/pr/degrees/ma-sa...ience.html#req

http://www.erau.edu/degrees/catalog.html

HSLD

You won't work a site as a "freelancer", but depending on your qualification you might be asked by a party to the investigation analysis as a subject matter expert. NTSB, FAA, Airlines, Unions, and aircraft mfg's already have some pretty stellar talent in house.

HSLD

An entire semester to learn: "If it's goo, it's not for you"? Yikes!

It is important info though, failing to comply will get you kicked of off site....or worse.

rickair7777

The NTSB hires aviation investigators off the street, I think you need 400 hours flight time and some relevant technical education or experience. By relevant I mean engineering, meteorology, maintenance, etc. Most folks start working GA accidents, and then move up to bigger stuff. The jobs openings are local, ie you go wherever the opening exists. They train you on investigations techniques, so you do not need prior training on that...you need some technical knowledge relevant to aviation (more than just flight ops, those are a dime-a-dozen).

I imagine a degree or coursework in accident investigation would help, but underlying technical expertise is still very important. Besides a relevant degree, I think an A&P might qualify you too.

Google it, you can probably find some job openings.

Like Paul mentioned, if you work for a union airline (especially ALPA), you can volunteer your time and get training by the union on investigation procedures...you will not be the main investigator, but you will be privy to the process. Obviously the union guys only work on the rare occasion when an airliner goes down.

USMCFLYR

I'm looking into the NTSB as a non-flying job if I am led down that path. I've been in the Safety business a long time in the military now and I have been to nearly every military aviation safety school to include Operational Risk Management and CRM Instructor courses. I know that the guys who are actually assigned as mishap investigators for the military (Naval Safety Center for example) attend a few mishap investigation schools run by the different services.

USMCFLYR

lifter123

Wow guys, thanks for all of the good information.

I did browse through ERAU's course catalog and started getting a feeling that it was more geared towards industrial safety, rather than accident investigation per se.

Rickair...I guess that's what I really wanted to know is how to get hired by the NTSB. I don't think I have it in me to get an A and P, but I suppose I could always look into that down the road.

It's really interesting, that further you get along in your career path to being a pilot, the more you really appreciate all aspects of aviation, not just flying.