Douglas Moss (BS Engr, MS Engr, MBA) is a trained and experienced professional pilot and engineer. He conducts research and testifies on aircraft accidents and airport land-use issues such as thermal plumes, birdstrike hazards, and FAR Part 77 obstructions. His aviation experience spans over 30 years as an engineer and pilot, including assignments as a USAF fighter pilot, USAF test pilot, McDonnell Douglas test pilot, airline pilot, and general aviation pilot. His academic education includes both bachelor and master degrees in engineering, with additional advanced degrees in business and law. He has also been a faculty instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School, teaching aircraft certification, flying qualities, performance, systems, and human factors. He currently is an instructor of Human Factors at the University of Southern California.

His analysis of Aviation Accidents and issues typically involve the following considerations:

• Engineering and scientific basis
• Operational factors
• Human factors
• Aircraft certification compliance (14 CFR Parts 21 and 25)
• FAR statutory compliance (14 CFR Parts 91, 121 and 135)
• Strict products liability
• Aircrew standard of care

Experience Includes:

• Over 10,000 flight hours
• Human Factors faculty instructor
• USAF experimental test pilot
• McDonnell Douglas engineering test pilot
• USAF Test Pilot School instructor
• Airline pilot
• ATP Typed DC-9, MD-80, MD-90, MD-11, A320 and Flight Engineer
• Qualified in Cessna, Piper Cherokee, Seneca and Beachcraft Bonanza

Richard "Pete" Burgess provides service as an Aviaton Consultant for air traffic services, procedures, pilot experience and aircraft accident investigations. Mr. Burgess has been the Owner of Burgess Aviation Consultants since 1994 and specializes in the analysis of FAA Air Traffic Control service and the application of procedures in the following areas:

Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC's)

Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT's)

Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON's)

Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS's)

Flight Path Reconstruction and Graphic Preparation of Accident/Incident Aircraft

Detailed Transcript Preparation of Air Traffic Recordings

As President of BGS Aviation, Inc., aircraft rental and flight instruction, Mr. Burgess is an Instrument-Rated Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor for Multi/Single Engine airplane. He has over 2900 hours of flight time.

EXPERIENCE

1972 to 1994 Air Traffic Control Supervisory and Management - FAA

Managed and supervised the National evaluations of over 160 FAA air traffic ARTCC's, ATCT's, TRACON's and AFSS's facilities in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama

Qualified on all positions of operation and actively controlled traffic as supervisor and manager at El Paso and Little Rock ATC Tower and radar approach control facilities

Served as consultant and expert witness in trials involving aircraft accidents and enforcement actions in St. Louis, Kansas City and Little Rock

Investigated the application and effectiveness of air traffic control procedures at Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Kansas City Airports, as a result of major accidents at those airports

1957 to 1972 Air Traffic Controller - FAA & U.S. Navy

Air Traffic Terminal Controller at NAS Saufley Field, Pensacola, FL and NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Navy, and Santa Fe, NM in the FAA

Flight Service Specialist in El Paso, TX. Santa Fe, NM and Lubbock, TX

Air Traffic Tower and Radar Approach Controller in Lubbock, TX and San Antonio, TX

Robert L. Ditchey specializes in Aviation and Airline Maintenance. As a consultant for major airlines, financial institutions and aerospace manufacturers, Mr. Ditchey's Areas of Expertise include the following:

Airline Accident Investigation

Airline Insurance

Airline Maintenance & Operations

Federal Aviation Regulations

Aircraft Design, Performance and Analysis

Aircraft Purchase and Lease Agreements

Maintenance Records and Procedures

Airline contracts

Airline pilot, Mechanic and Aircrew Training

Expert Witness

Education:

AE (Aeronautical Engineer), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 1973

MS (Aeronautical Engineering), Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 1969

BS, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 1962

Honors & Awards: Awarded Society of Sigma Xi for excellence in Engineering Research.

Civil Case Experience: Airline accident litigation and civil case involving pilot actions in aircraft hull loss.

ITC Experts provides top Technical Experts for the Legal and Insurance Communities. ITC is organized as a collaborative of experts and facilities from multiple, varied groups, but unlike a brokerage or finder service, ITC has a staff of experts who augment their deep experience and industry-leading qualifications with the specialized knowledge and resources of collaborators from leading universities, government laboratories, technical societies, and industry.

Dr. David Curry, PhD, CHFP, CSP - Consultant, Human Factors and Safety

Dr. Curry is Vice President, Human Performance Sciences and Technology for ITC Expert Services. He holds graduate degrees in Experimental, Human Factors, and Cognitive/ Perceptual Psychology, Industrial Engineering, and Business and his experience includes nearly 30 years of work in accident investigation, product design and development, operational testing and analysis, and both laboratory and field research. He consults on all aspects of human factors, human performance, ergonomics, and safety.

Areas of particular expertise include: human-machine interface design and evaluation, human capabilities and limitations in applied environments, industrial ergonomics, warnings, vision and visibility, slips/trips/falls, the evaluation of equipment, facilities, and structures from a human use standpoint, and safety-related issues in general. He is recognized as an expert in operator-vehicle interaction, is both a Certified Human Factors Professional and Certified Safety Professional, has published nearly fifty technical papers dealing with various issues relating to applied human performance and accident investigation. He has been awarded several patents and sits on national standards-making committees for a variety of organizations (ANSI, ASTM, and SAE.) He has provided testimony in both State and Federal courts. View Curriculum Vitae.

John Meyer, PhD, PE - Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Dr. John Meyer is responsible for the engineering investigation and reconstruction of accidents, incidents, and failures of all kinds. With his background in mechanical engineering and physics, Dr. Meyer has conducted and directed hundreds of investigations over the past 16 years involving a widely diverse range of items, including aircraft, industrial equipment and machinery, automobiles and other vehicles, as well as consumer products. In addition to incident causation, Dr. Meyer frequently evaluates issues such as engineering design, machine guarding, warnings, and human behavior. Dr. Meyer has particular expertise in the modeling, analysis, and control of vibration and dynamic systems. He analyzes loads, forces and assesses mechanical design.

Areas of Expertise:

• Modeling, Analysis, and Control of Vibration and Dynamic Systems
• Analyzes Loads, Forces and Assesses Mechanical Designs
• Human Factors including Human Perception, Reaction, and Operator Behavior

View Curriculum Vitae.

Steven Meyers - Aviation Safety

Mr. Meyers is an experienced aerospace professional that combines scientific analysis, material science, laboratory testing, piloting expertise, aircraft maintenance, and human factors to investigate air safety issues. He has a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science, B.S. in Engineering Physics, A.S. in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and an Extension Diploma in Applied General Metallurgy.

Profile:

• Aviation and Human Factors: Piloted / instructed in 51 different types of aircraft ranging from turbines to gliders to sea planes. Multi-engine, instrument rated commercial pilot, active flight instructor, FAA licensed Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic (A&P), and FAA maintenance inspector (IA). Understands the interrelationship between the Person-Machine-Environment.
  
  
• Accident Investigator: Applies scientific methods to accurately reconstruct and explain the circumstances of an accident. Investigations ranging from the in-flight failure of composite airframe structures to the use of unapproved parts to reconstructing ground vehicle incidents. Adjunct Faculty Member in the Aviation Department of Lewis University teaching courses in Applied Aircraft Accident Investigations. IL licensed Private Detective.
  
  
• Material Scientist: Brings a strong experience in applying modern materials science coupled with a focus on failure analysis and the use of standardized testing techniques. Evaluates the effects of corrosion, temperature, and mechanical stresses on the performance of materials. Analysis performed on fractured thru-bolts, crankshafts, fuel pumps, carburetors, and bearings.
  
  
• Failure Analyst: Provides practical and comprehensive laboratory testing that is independent and unbiased. Capable of performing a broad range of tests to determine the strength, physical, chemical, and wear properties of metals, coatings, ceramics, composites, and plastics. Access to ASTM qualified test machines, optical microscopes, SEM, FTIR, load cells, and accelerometers.
  
  
• USAF Non-Commissioned Intelligence Officer: Confident public speaking skills with experience in preparing briefings and making recommendations to high-level military commanders.

Areas of Expertise: Aircraft Design and Operation, Aircraft Performance, Avionics & Autopilots, Piloting & Training, Turbines/Reciprocating Engines, Major Repairs/Alterations, Human Factors, Aviation Psychology, FAA Regulations & Certification, Accident Investigation, Wreckage Reconstruction, In-Flight Break-Ups, Mid-Air Collisions, Flight Path Reconstruction, Crashworthiness, Loss of Control, System Failures, In-Flight Fires, Cockpit Automation, Mechanical Testing, Material Compatibility, Fracture Analysis, Metal Fatigue, Composite Materials, Mechanical Fasteners, Tribology & Wear Testing, Fretting, Galling & Corrosion, Lubricants, Greases, & Fuels. View Curriculum Vitae

Joseph Aviation Consulting (JAC) offers over 44 years and 27,000 flight hours of worldwide aviation experience in more than 70 different models of aircraft ranging from general aviation to high performance military and air carrier aircraft. Operational expertise includes more than 37 years experience as a flight instructor in the aforementioned aircraft types. In addition to flight experience, JAC offers 29 years of aviation accident reconstruction and analysis and has been involved in excess of 100 aircraft accident/incident investigations. Further, JAC possesses over 31 years of aviation safety and standardization development. With this diverse and exclusive background, JAC provides Aircraft Accident Analysis/Technical Support and Expert Witness testimony to meet your litigation needs.

Because of our unique depth and diversity of experience, JAC can provide: Aviation Accident Analysis, Pilot Performance, Aviation Safety Program Development, Safety Management Systems (SMS) Integration and Flight Department Management.

Our Expert Witness Testimony refines, substantiates, or frequently refutes prior findings. This concise methodological approach to accident analysis has proven time and again to be a formidable litigation tool.

With this diverse and uniquely qualified background, JAC is your firm’s Aviation Expert.

"Rule 26 Qualifications" upon request.

Kit Darby was the president of AIR, Inc., the largest Career Information Resource company for pilots for 25 years. Mr. Darby Provides Answers and Statistical Data, but also Guidance through the Constantly Changing Aviation Industry. He works with Military, General Aviation, Corporate, and Commuter Pilots transitioning to the larger airlines. Mr. Darby provides complete, timely, and accurate career information to help pilots make informed decisions throughout their job search and to assist them in their career development as an airline pilot. Retired United Airlines captain, airline and military instructor pilot.

AIR-Experts Services Provided:

Pilot Career Earnings and Employability Models

Depositions and Trials

Expert Witness and Litigation Support

Case Preparation and Analysis

Pilot Forecasting:

Pilot Hiring and Equipment forecast

Economic Forecast

Pilot Supply and Demand

Pilot Hiring

Dale Leppard has extensive experience in aviation and aviation accident investigation and reconstruction. He has been a commercial pilot for over 47 years, flying under Parts 121, 135 and 91, and has over 22,000 hours of flight time. As chairman of the ALPA National Accident Investigation Board, he participated with the NTSB in the field investigation of approximately 25 major accidents. He also served as chairman of the International Federation of Airline Pilots Association (IFALPA) Accident Analysis Committee. Mr. Leppard taught wreckage inspection and documentation of wreckage at ALPA's Accident Investigator's School for many years.

Mr. Leppard has been involved in aircraft accident investigation for over 45 years, and has acted as a consultant in accident matters for over 35 years. He has testified extensively in state and federal court proceedings.

Mr. Leppard supervised the development of the international Aviation Safety Reporting System, (ASRS) and negotiated inclusion of the system in the NASA/FAA ASRS data base.

Mr. Leppard flew as an airline pilot for 35 years, and then flew as a corporate contract pilot under Parts 135 and 91 for an additional 12 years. He has served as chief pilot for a large jet charter company, and was approved by the FAA as an instructor and full check airman under Part 135. Mr. Leppard has over 500 hours of flight instructor time. He instructed at Atlantic Aviation, Northeast Airways, Flying Lion, Ltd., and in Rutgers University and Princeton University ROTC Basic Flying Programs.

Areas of Specialization:

Aviation accident analysis and reconstruction

Wreckage analysis

Flight path reconstruction

Weather factors

FAA Regulations

Crew Performance

Cabin safety

Flight crew hiring and employability

Termination matters