Warning Bells

(Part 2 of 2) When 260 people died aboard Air India Flight 171 and on the ground, the world was given a simple explanation—but what if it’s not only wrong, but a deliberate effort to deflect the truth? In this two-part episode, Ed and Joe are joined by relentless investigative journalist Rachel Chitra, who has uncovered gaps, omissions, and uncomfortable questions buried deep within the official p...

(Part 1 of 2) When 260 people died aboard Air India Flight 171 and on the ground, the world was given a simple explanation—but what if it’s not only wrong, but a deliberate effort to deflect the truth? In this two-part episode, Ed and Joe are joined by relentless investigative journalist Rachel Chitra, who has uncovered gaps, omissions, and uncomfortable questions buried deep within the official p...

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171—a Boeing 787-8—went down just moments after takeoff. Within weeks, a preliminary report pointed the finger at the pilots, citing fuel cutoff switches that allegedly "transitioned" from run to cutoff. Case closed—or so it seemed. But what if that story doesn’t hold up? Electrical engineer Jeremy John Thompson saw something else. In this episode of Wa...

Join Ed and Joe on Warning Bells as they welcome Charles Hoefer for a chilling deep dive into a case that ties a brand-new RV factory to the illicit production of critical flight components, reveals troubling government inaction, and raises urgent questions about hidden safety risks to passengers and flight crews.

The Boeing 737 MAX exposed a catastrophic failure in the U.S. aircraft certification system — two crashes, 347 lives lost, and a crisis of confidence that shook aviation to its core. The FAA promised reform.  Instead, insiders say problems have not been admitted or corrected. Now, as Boeing pushes to accelerate the certification of its next-generation jets — the 737 MAX 7, MAX 10, and 777X — the F...

In this episode of Warning Bells, Foundation for Aviation Safety’s Ed Pierson and Randy Klatt examine how leadership—or the lack of it—shapes aviation accident investigations. Drawing lessons from recent tragedies, including the Air India Flight 171 disaster, they discuss the crucial role of integrity, humility, and accountability in uncovering the truth. The conversation highlights the inherent c...

Join host Ed, Joe, and Randy as they sit down with Juan Browne—airline captain, Air Force veteran, and the voice behind the Blancolirio aviation channel—for an unfiltered conversation about transparency in aviation investigations, healthy speculation, and why the aviation community deserves timely access to factual data.

In this episode of Warning Bells, Ed Pierson welcomes Petter Hörnfeldt—better known as the Mentour Pilot—to discuss aviation safety, pilot trust, and the critical role of transparency in an evolving industry. Alongside Joe Jacobsen and Randy Klatt of The Foundation for Aviation Safety, they unpack the realities behind the Boeing 737 MAX, examine the risks of safety complacency, and discuss how pil...

Every day, millions of passengers board planes, trusting that someone, somewhere, is keeping them safe. But behind the polished image of commercial aviation lies a hidden, bureaucratic process—managed quietly by the FAA and other aviation regulators—that is supposed to identify and communicate dangerous aircraft defects. When a problem is discovered, however, the FAA doesn’t sound an alarm alertin...

The FAA continues to fail in their oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing operations. Boeing whistleblowers have been complaining for years about the illegal removal of thousands of quality control inspections on individual airplanes. By the time the FAA acted, it was too little, too late. 346 people died in two MAX crashes and hundreds of airplanes have already been delivered to unsuspecting airline...

The National Transportation Safety Board’s mission is making transportation safer. One of the ways the NTSB carries out this mission is by conducting objective, thorough investigations. The mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. Join Ed and Joe as they discuss how officials at these agencies have completely failed t...

What happens if a new or old airplane is found to have a defect, especially a dangerous defect that risks the safety of the airplane? As a passenger, when you purchase an airline ticket you understandably expect the airplane to be free of any dangerous defects. Join Ed and his guest Mike Dostert as they expose and unravel the little known, slow moving, and dysfunctional process.

Ok we admit it, no one will believe this story—but it is true. Why and how did Boeing remove thousands of quality control inspections on individual airplanes, before and after the two MAX crashes, without the FAA’s approval or knowledge and without the knowledge of Boeing’s airline customers? Join Ed and aerospace safety engineer Joe Jacobsen as they welcome Boeing IAM Union Business Representativ...

Ok we admit it, no one will believe this story—but it is true. Why and how did Boeing remove thousands of quality control inspections on individual airplanes, before and after the two MAX crashes, without the FAA’s approval or knowledge and without the knowledge of Boeing’s airline customers? Join Ed and aerospace safety engineer Joe Jacobsen as they welcome Boeing IAM Union Business Representativ...

The supply chain problems at Boeing are not limited to getting parts from thousands of suppliers delivered on-time. The problem is also the quality of some of the parts, and because Boeing routinely violates its own manufacturing and quality processes. How and why is this happening? Join Ed and former Boeing parts expert Merle Meyers as they discuss the reckless behavior that is still occurring in...

Join Ed as he welcomes Jessica Edwards Taggart, a former Boeing manufacturing and quality control employee, to the Warning Bells podcast. Jessica held several positions in manufacturing and quality over the course of her 20-year career. She provides firsthand insight into the job pressures and describes what it was like working inside a Boeing factory.

Join Ed as he discusses the state of commercial aviation with legendary pilot Captain Sully Sullenberger and aerospace safety engineer Joe Jacobsen. The trio also delve into a wide range of topics from recent incidents involving uncommanded rolls of Boeing 737 MAX airplanes to the criticisms of the Indonesian and Ethiopian pilots of the two Boeing 737 MAX airplanes that crashed in 2018 & 2019.

Why are people fearful of bringing up bad news? Is it safe and worth it to speak up? Join Ed for a thoughtful discussion on workplace culture with author Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky. Shed is the author of SPEAK-UP CULTURE – When Leaders Truly Listen People Step Up .

After the harrowing incident occurring on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, and the many developments that have followed since, Ed Pierson talks first person.

Join Ed and his guests, Michael Stumo and Joe Jacobsen, as they discuss the status of the FAA Reauthorization Act and why Congress must incorporate nine recommendations from families of crash victims.

Ed is joined by Doug Pasternak, former Director of Investigations and Oversight for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Mr. Pasternak led the committee's 18 month long investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX airplanes after two crashes resulted in the deaths of 346 people.

Ed welcomes former Boeing and FAA engineer Mike Dostert as they cover a wide range of topics including compliance issues and the systemic erosion of safety, regulatory oversight, and business culture, in a sector which may have lost its way.

Ed welcomes Paul Njoroge, a Canadian financial advisor who tragically lost his family in the 2nd MAX crash. Paul and Ed discuss the failures of corporate leadership by Boeing’s Board of Directors that contributed to the MAX disasters.

Ed welcomes distinguished Captain Dennis Tajer, a 737 pilot with more than 30 years aviation experience including military service. Captain Tajer presently flies the 737 MAX airplane. Highly respected in the industry, Capt. Tajer is also the Communication Chair for the Allied Pilots Association representing over 15,000 American Airlines pilots.

Ed welcomes Michael Stumo, who lost his 24 year old daughter Samya on the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash. Michael shares the ongoing battle victim family members are waging to prevent another disaster and their response to an invitation by Congress to have specific input into the 2023 FAA Reauthorization Bill.