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 316: The helicopter in the Hudson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:31
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what’s known so far about the crash of a Bell 206 in the Hudson River last week. We also break down the sequence of events after the crash that led to the FAA issuing an emerg…
AvTalk Episode 315: Growth has “largely stalled” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason joins Ian in Chicago for a face to face conversation, which also means it’s a self-edited show this week. The preliminary report on the Swiftair 737 crash in Vilnius looks to human…
AvTalk Episode 314: World Champion Gas Ballooning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:16
On this episode of AvTalk, we learning all about long endurance gas balloons with a world record holder. We learn more about the erroneous TCAS alerts that plagued aircraft near DCA at the beginning of March and what the…
AvTalk Episode 313: Turn off the airport, and turn it on again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:29
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the lights are back on at Heathrow and investigation into what happened is in full swing. We discuss the Transport Safety Board of Canada’s preliminary report on the Endeavor Air acciden…
AvTalk Episode 312: It’s good to have balloon insurance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:51
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Chris Lomas fills in for a vacationing Jason. The FAA acts on the NTSB’s urgent safety recommendations in DC and reconfigures helicopter routes near DCA. An American Airlines 737 catches…
AvTalk Episode 311: No LUV for a broken Heart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the mid-air collision over the Potomac River. In addition to the report, the NTSB also issued a pair of urgent safety recommendations to the F…
AvTalk Episode 310: “Engulfed in flames” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, another round of tabloid journalism meets aviation incident as a FedEx bird strike and resulting engine fire lead to breathless headlines. Also this week, the FAA issues a set of Airwort…
AvTalk Episode 309: Tower, how’d that happen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:32
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a tale of 3 go arounds. We first visit Chicago, where a Southwest pilot made the quick decision to go around as an unauthorized aircraft crossed the runway. Then we visit San Francisco w…
AvTalk Episode 308: Upside down, but alive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:16
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 ends up upside down in Toronto, but everyone on board makes it out safely. The NTSB provides a detailed update on the mid-air collision in Washington, including t…
AvTalk Episode 307: Everything is delayed 5-10 years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Bering Air Cessna 208 crashes near Nome, Alaska. Updates on the mid-air collision in Washington DC and what airspace changes may become permanent. New propulsion technology projects fr…