AvTalk Episode 347: Fatigue cracks, thrust levers, and sand ballast

AvTalk Episode 347: Fatigue cracks, thrust levers, and sand ballast

Author: Flightradar24 November 28, 2025 Duration: 52:22
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by aviation journalist Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to discuss a trio of recently released preliminary accident reports.

* UPS flight 2976 — MD-11F crash on take off in Louisville

* Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding MD-11s
* Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding DC-10s


* United Airlines flight 1093 — impact with object at 36,000 feet
* airACT 747-400F runway excursion in Hong Kong

Plus, Jason reports in from Seoul, South Korea where he’s joined by Seth Miller. They chat about their very different methods of getting from the US to Seoul this week and Seth’s quest to achieve the JetBlue 25for25 prize.
Wishing all our listeners in the US a very happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.

Please check back soon for a transcript of this episode.

Every Friday, the team at Flightradar24 opens the hangar doors for a conversation that goes far beyond just tracking flights. AvTalk-Aviation Podcast is hosted by Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz, two genuine enthusiasts whose curiosity is as vast as the skies they discuss. This isn't a technical manual, but a weekly gathering for anyone who feels that familiar pull to look up at the sound of a jet engine. You'll hear the latest news shaping the industry, from new aircraft developments to airline culture, alongside deeper explorations into the history, places, and societal impact of flight. The discussions are grounded in expertise yet remain completely accessible, whether you're just discovering your inner avgeek or you live and breathe all things aviation. With regular special guests adding their perspectives, each episode feels like sitting in on a fascinating conversation among friends who love to share what they know. Tune in for your regular dose of everything that makes aviation endlessly compelling.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
AvTalk Episode 373: Eight hours to nowhere [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, SAS’s India relaunch doesn’t quite make it to India. The first Airbus A350-100ULR for Qantas’ Project Sunrise takes to the skies. Boeing is advancing the 737 MAX monthly production rate…
AvTalk Episode 372: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
We’re in Stockholm for a our semi-annual Flightradar24 crew meetup this week. Ian is joined by Gabe Leigh to discuss what’s it like behind the scenes capturing the stories of aviation professionals around the world. We r…
AvTalk Episode 370: The man collecting Spirit’s pieces [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:09
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Nomadic Aviation Group co-founder Steve Giordano to talk about what happens when you suddenly need to move dozens of aircraft in a very short amount of time. Steve and hi…
AvTalk Episode 369: Extra exits, bread trucks, and bankruptcies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:51
This week’s episode of AvTalk takes us from the highest highs to the lowest lows of the aviation industry. We begin with a major announcement mere minutes before our recording as AirAsia orders 150 A220s in a new, denser…
AvTalk Episode 368: Humanoids handling your bags? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB’s preliminary report on the crash at La Guardia Airport in New York lays out the avenues of investigation and spurs the Port Authority to action. FedEx says it will put the MD-1…
AvTalk Episode 367: We’re worried about availability, not just cost [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:52
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Europe’s jet fuel supplies run low while airlines cut flights as we transition into the summer season. We’re joined by Steven Fox from NATS to learn more about how the UK’s air navigatio…
AvTalk Episode 366: An unserious proposal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we make our annual trek to Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo where Jason is joined once again by PaxEx.aero’s Seth Miller. * Buttons, buttons, and more buttons * The Skynook concep…
AvTalk Episode 365: Bag fees, bag fees, bag fees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we make a special trip to space and await Artemis II’s return to Earth. A tenuous cease fire in Iran leads to the first airspace re-openings, but a lack of jet fuel is affecting airports…
AvTalk Episode 364: Emergency management mode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:18
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, airlines—and entire countries—outside of the Middle East are facing a reckoning as the high price and impending unavailability of fuel. The FAA is making changes to approaches in San Fra…