Pilot Error Expert Witnesses

Benicia, California

Aviation & Aerospace, Human Factors - Airline Operations, Air Traffic Control, General Aviation, Training, FAR’s, Incident Investigation, Operations, Compliance, Pilot Error, Crew Performance, Pilot Fatigue, Crew Resource Management (CRM), Situational Awareness, Turbulence Injuries, Passenger Disruptions, Navigation and Communications

Highly experienced recently retired airline pilot and aviation safety representative with more than 50 years of flight experience and approximately 30,000 domestic and international flight hours in both major airline and general aviation aircraft Former air traffic controller, international air safety representative involved in aviation rulemaking, flight instructor, general aviation aircraft owner and operator FAA licensed pilot since 1972 Major-airline pilot 41 years, captain for 28 years, 19 years widebody captain Areas of expertise include Federal Air Regulations (FAR) Part 121 airline and air traffic control operational safety issues, flight operations, standard operating procedures, regulatory and flight operations manual compliance, crew performance and coordination, cockpit-related human factors issues, crew resource management, turbulence injuries, procedural compliance, aircraft limitations, navigation and communications procedures, and best practices Extensive experienc...

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 Botta brings over 35 years experience as an International Airline and Corporate Jet Captain grounded in a deep General Aviation Background. He also offers a unique dual perspective with 10 years in private practice as a former Licensed Professional Counselor, providing rare insight into the human factors behind aviation accidents and incidents. AVIATION EXPERT CASE RECENCY (current as of 3/26) • Regional Carrier CRJ900, hard braking event, resulting in passenger and Flight Attendant injuries • Regional Carrier, passenger dry ice injury • Wrong-surface event – ongoing investigation and expert opinion • Whistleblower case – major jet charter operator • Wrong-surface event • Wrongful death case • Pilot competency, pilot incapacity, and aeromedical issues (multiple cases opined) • Deposed twice within the past 5 years • SEAK Expert Witness Training completed • Listed in SEAK Expert Witness Directory Representative Commentary & Industry Insights June 2025: “Wrong surface ev...

New Port Richey, Florida

Aviation & Aerospace, Transportation - Aviation accident, Expert witness, Aviation safety, Corporate aviation, Safety management, Aircraft accident, Flight operations, FAA compliance, Business aviation, Operational analysis, Accident investigation, Pilot error, Aviation risk, Pilot decision making, Part 91 operations, Human factors, Aircraft operations, CRM, Part 135

Kevin M. Alvarez is a corporate aviation Chief Pilot and aviation operations expert specializing in aircraft accident investigation, aviation operational analysis, and business jet flight operations. With more than 5,000 hours operating advanced business aircraft and over a decade leading corporate flight departments, he provides expert analysis regarding aviation accidents, pilot decision-making, FAA regulatory compliance, and aviation safety management. Mr. Alvarez currently serves as Chief Pilot for a Part 91 corporate aviation operation, flying advanced business jets throughout North America, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. His operational experience includes international flight planning, complex aviation risk management, and the implementation of safety management practices in corporate aviation environments. His analytical methodology is structured to satisfy Daubert reliability requirements, with full methodology documentation and sample report excerpts available...

Columbus, Indiana

Aviation & Aerospace, Human Factors - Pilot Error, Flight Training & Instruction, International Airline Operations, Human Factors, Crew Resource Management (CRM), Aeronautical Decision Making, Safety Management Systems (SMS), Aviation Safety, Military Aviation Operations, Airline Operations, Aviation Maintenance & Safety Programs

Elliott Lushin is a highly experienced aviation professional offering expert witness and consulting services in pilot performance, human factors, aeronautical decision-making, crew resource management, airline operations, flight training standards, and aviation safety program effectiveness. He brings a rare combination of high-performance military fighter pilot experience, hands-on aviation maintenance and safety program leadership, and major airline domestic narrowbody international widebody operations. In addition, Elliott has significant experience leading organizational excellence and leadership development programs for companies of all sizes, giving him unique insight into how leadership decisions, organizational culture, and systemic blind spots impact safety and operational performance. Attorneys value his ability to provide clear, credible analysis grounded in real-world operational and safety leadership experience. CIVIL ATP: MEL (A-350, A-320 family, B-757/767, DC-9/MD-88,...

Wichita, Kansas

Aviation & Aerospace, Human Factors - Cessna Citation, Textron Aviation, General Aviation Expert Witness, FAA Violations, Aviation Accident Investigation, Aircraft Acceptance, Aircraft Prebuy, Airplane Accident Investigation, Crew Resource Management (CRM), Pilot Fatigue, Pilot Training, Air Traffic Control (ATC), FAA Investigations, NTSB, Navigation, Pilot Error

JB Aviation, LLC was founded in 1998. My background experience includes 45+ years in General and Corporate Aviation, logging over 17,000 plus accident free flight hours. Recipient of the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award (50 years). Hold an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate along with an CFI Gold Seal (Certified Flight Instructor – Airplane-Instrument & Multi-engine). Background also includes Air Taxi Operations – FAR Part 135, Flight Training FAR Part 141 Flight Schools and FAR Part 142 Training Centers. Also include services – Aviation Department Development, Short-Term Aircraft Management, Aircraft Evaluations and Deliveries, Aircraft Systems and Crew Training, Ferry Flight Services and SOE/IOE training requirements. Since 1998, we’ve specialized in professionally guiding and accommodating domestic and international Cessna Citation owners and operators. With over 45+ years of experience in worldwide corporate aviation including destinations with several North Atlant...

CONROE, Texas

Aviation & Aerospace, Motorcycle - Aircraft Accident, Aircraft Incident, Pilot Error, Mechanical Failure, Aviation Maintenance, Challenger , Corporate Jet Accidents, King Air, Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, NTSB, General Aviation, Part 135, Human Factors, Accident Reconstruction, Fleet Maintenance, Aircraft Accident Investigation, Test Pilot, Hawker, Cessna

Timothy (Tim) Ewell is a highly credentialed aviation expert witness and lead aircraft accident investigator with over 17,350 total flight hours, including 10,400 hours in Challenger series corporate jets (CL601/604/605/650 and Fusion), 2,550 hours in Hawker HS-125 series, and extensive King Air and other turboprop time. Several thousand in a myriad of smaller single engine aircraft. He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with type ratings on multiple Challenger models and the Hawker 800/850XP, along with current medical and international certifications. Mr. Ewell has served as Director of Operations and FAA-designated Check Airman , Chief Pilot, Director of Marketing, and Maintenance Director, managing flight departments and large fleets (including 10+ aircraft Part 135 certificate holders). A former U.S. Army Captain (Infantry/Aviation specialty, test pilot, and pilot for the White House and the Pentagon), he also owned and operated a commuter airline in Alaska, a Fix...