University of Southern California
Director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California; former security director for the Transportation Security Administration and regional director for the FAA's civil flight division
Pilot 'Deliberately' Downed the Germanwings Plane Tuesday's Germanwings airline crash that killed 150 people is now being investigated as a criminal case. The co-pilot is suspected of intentionally flying the Airbus 320 into a mountain in the French Alps. Speaking through a translator, French Prosecutor Brice Robin announced, "I consider it to be deliberate. First of all, refusing entry to the cockpit; second, maneuvering the lever for loss of altitude." Carsten Spohr is chief executive of Lufthansa, which owns GermanWings. The former pilot of the Airbus 320 — the kind of plane now said to have crashed deliberately with deadly results, told CNN today, "Apparently after the pilot... after the captain left the cockpit, he tried to regain access. There were knocks on the doors, according to French authorities, and the door was either kept locked or not opened in the way it was supposed to be. And that for sure is a clear indication that the remaining pilot, the copilot, didn't want the captain to return."
Why Can't We Find the Malaysia Airlines Flight? The oil slicks don't match; the flotsam found in the water doesn't connect; the stolen passports could be just a coincidence. Forty ships and 34 aircraft from nine countries have not turned up any evidence. There's no clue as to what happened to Asiana Airlines Flight 214 with 239 people on board. With all the radar, sonar and satellite signals involved in modern air traffic control, how could the plane have disappeared? Thomas Anthony is Director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California.
Trump Sees ‘Bipartisanship’ on Criminal Justice Reform After decades, America’s draconian crackdown on crime isn’t working. Even most conservatives agree with liberals that it’s worse than a waste of money. President Trump has used a rare word when it comes to proposed reform: “bipartisanship.” It could happen before the new Congress takes office--but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell might be applying the brakes.
Bonus Episode: The wind-up before the punch Josh Barro and Ken White couldn’t wait to debrief on the Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen sentencing memos before the documents become old news. So, voila! Bonus episode.
One Year Later: City of Ventura Faced the Thomas Fire When the Thomas Fire hit the city limits, residents fled for their lives. They recall midnight evacuations and near misses.
Remembering George H.W. Bush A balanced look at George H.W. Bush includes: the smear campaign that won him the White House, his successes in war and diplomacy, and his almost forgotten role as an environmental president. Also what lies ahead for the UK, if there’s no agreement on Brexit?