Crash Investigation Expert Witnesses

Petaluma, California

Aviation & Aerospace, Accident Reconstruction - Aircraft Accidents, Airline, Corporate, General Aviation, Flight Crew, Business Jet Accidents, Flight Training, Aviation Safety, InFlight Emergency, Pilot Error, Maintenance Negligence, Crash Investigation, Aircraft Safety, Corporate Jet Accidents, CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain), Loss of Control, Flight Attendant Accidents

Captain Bert Botta is an aviation expert witness with over 35 years of experience as an International and Domestic Airline Captain, Corporate Jet Captain, and General Aviation pilot. He is retained by plaintiff and defense counsel to analyze and opine on aviation accidents and incidents involving pilot performance, flight crew conduct, FAA regulatory compliance, and human factors. He holds an additional 10 years in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor, providing rare dual expertise in behavioral analysis and accident reconstruction. AREAS OF EXPERT OPINION Captain Botta is qualified to opine on matters involving: • Pilot error, pilot judgment, and aeronautical decision-making • Standard of care for airline, corporate, and general aviation operations • FAA regulatory compliance — Part 121, Part 135, and Part 91 operations • Flight crew coordination, Crew Resource Management (CRM), and interpersonal conflict • Human factors, cognitive performance, situational awaren...

Boynton Beach, Florida

Transportation, Accident Reconstruction - Trucking, Trucks, Commercial Vehicles, Truck Safety, CDL driver standards, Human Factors Analysis, Crash investigation, Hazardous materials, Compliance, Fatigue, Work zone, Distracted driving, Fleet Safety, Impaired driving, Carrier Vetting and Broker Selection, Video based crash reconstruction, DOT, Driver qualifications, OSHA, Loading

I bring a rare combination of command‑level enforcement experience, ACTAR‑certified reconstruction expertise, legal training, and national‑level fleet‑safety consulting to high‑stakes transportation matters. I served as Lieutenant and Commanding Officer of the Massachusetts State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section (2010–2022), directing statewide CMV enforcement, post‑crash investigations, MCSAP operations, and specialized inspections involving heavy trucks, buses, hazardous materials, and cargo‑tank vehicles. As a certified accident reconstructionist (ACTAR), licensed attorney, and licensed CDL operator, I provide integrated analysis of crash causation, regulatory compliance, driver behavior, and operational standards. My expertise includes video‑based crash reconstruction, human‑factors evaluation, and driver training in defensive driving and collision‑avoidance using CDL‑based standards. I also serve as a crash‑investigator trainer for a national DOT‑compliance comp...