The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "airplane crash" ...
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"Safety for Sale"
The Federal Aviation Administration is under fire after WFAA-TV reveals that thousands of aircraft mechanics licensed by the FAA, had "questionable" training. The poor training and slow reaction by the FAA could be connected to two deadly airplane crashes. The series also revealed that repair facilities hired foreign mechanics through "immigration loopholes" who were unqualified and often could not speak English.
Tags: FAA; Federal Aviation Administration; diploma mills; U.S. aircraft mechanics; mechanic training; foreign mechanics;
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After the Crash
Series explored recurrent problems with faulty aircraft maintenance that endangered the lives of pilots and passengers, and examined a mechanic's pattern of falsifying records to try to hide his mistakes.
Tags: airports; airplanes; aircraft maintenance; public safety; FOIA
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Fatal Flight - The Mystery at Marlboro Airport
Seven years after a seemingly accidental private airplane crash, the Asbury Park Press found evidence that forced the reopening of the federal investigation. The original NTSB investigation of a fatal 1998 plane crash in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, determined that the accident was caused by a bird strike, but the Asbury Park Press consulted experts who determined that sabotage was the most likely cause. The pilot, who died in the crash, had previously testified in a lawsuit that he suspected his planes were being sabotaged. A disputed land deal involving the township's airport provided a motive for murder.
Tags: airports; aviation; airplanes; murder; sabotage; plane crashes; lawsuits; NTSB; bribes
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Craft had history of problems
This same-day story notes the record of equipment defects for a DC-9 cargo plane that crashed during takeoff. A review of 32 FAA Service Difficulty Reports on the plane filed by its operator noted landing gear malfunctions, cracks and corrosion in the plane structure, and loose, cracked, stripped or frozen parts in the landing gear door, cabin and cargo doors.
Tags: airplanes; Federal Aviation Authority; FAA; Service Difficulty Reports; airports
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Fewer Crashes Caused by Pilots
This USA Today analysis of 22 years of crash data and several dozen interviews shows that the number of commercial airplane crashes caused by pilot error has decreased substantially. However, plenty of crashes are still occurring, they are just caused by poor maintenance. The federal government required minimal training for mechanics after they've been licensed, and the airplane industry often opposes improvements in maintenance because they are too costly. The article has a lot of good statistics about airplane crashes.
Tags: airplanes; aircraft; pilots; maintenance; Commercial Aviation Safety Team
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Final Approach
In 2002 October, U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash amidst speculation that the crash was part of a conspiracy. With this investigation, the reporters deduced that the crash was in fact pilot error. The investigation involved extensive collection of FOIA data and interviewing sources who had never spoken about the crash before.
Tags: airplane crash; U.S.Senator killed in crash; U.S.Senator Paul Wellstone; Paul Wellstone; FOIA; FAA; NTSB; pilot error; crashes due to pilot error; crash experts; back box; cockpit; cockpit voice recorder
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"Are the Airplanes We Fly More At Risk?"; Trends in maintenance, inspections, cost-cutting pose threat, experts say
This story uncovers the truth behind the majority of airpline crashes due to maintenance mistakes. In the past decade, maintenance problems have accounted for 42% of fatal airline accidents. Reporters found that many airlines are not spending enough time and money maintaining planes, and mechanics aren't checking planes as often. There is also an increase in the use of contractors for repair work, who often are not regulated as heavily, and are not as well trained.
Tags: maintence errors; FAA; airline crashes; contractors
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Aging Airtankers
"An Associated Press investigation of the nation's aerial firefighting program found that many of the aging planes should never have been flying in the first place. It found a spotty safety record by a contractor who had the wings snap off two airtankers in mid-flight last summer, and that no single registry or agency keeps track of accidents involving so-called public service aircraft. The series traced the use of the airtankers to an apparently illegal transfer of military aircraft, showing that the investigation of one of last summer's crashes was hampered because the plane once was used to fly spy missions for the CIA. It found that there is poor financing and supervision of the crucial program, findings echoed in a report by a special government commission."
Tags: airtanker; airplanes; safety; record; transportation; CIA; spy; accidents; government oversight; crash
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The Widow-Maker
The Harrier attack jet can take off and land vertically, much like a helicopter. It can also be the single most dangerous plane to fly in the American air force, leading to 143 major accidents and the loss of one-third of the entire fleet. Forty-five marines, including some of the nations finest pilots, had died in the cockpits of these machines. The LA Times uncovered many of these shortcomings, and showed how the military moved haltingly to fix known shortcomings that had taken pilots' lives.
Tags: Aircraft; crash; military; war; Harrier attact jet; airplanes; planes; Marines; United States
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Plane Crash
Barker reports how "to the Pentagon, grounding the Navy's flawed A-12 was an obvious way to save money. But the Defense Department and its lawyers bungled the cancellation of the airplane contract --a fiasco that will probably end up as the government's most expensive courtroom defeat ever.
Tags: A-12 Avenger II attack plane; Navy's Air Systems Command (NAVAIR); Federal Acquisition Regulations; Pentagon; Defense Department