Publications

• USA TODAY: Pilot Fatigue Threat to Safety
• 5 Simple Tips For Safe, Enjoyable Travel!
• How High is Your Legal IQ?
• Pilot Emotional Intelligence: Why You Need to Know Your Emotional IQ!
• The Power of Personal Connections
• Is "Pilot Personality" an Oxymoron!? (Pg. 34)
• Elevate Your Case Using Advanced Trial Graphics!
• Command Brief

Aviation Expert Witness: Airline/Corporate/GenAv

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

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 events—including runway excursions—are increasing in frequency and risk. While the causes are often straightforward, systemic industry shortcomings make them difficult to correct.” July 2023: “The ATC system is failing at critical moments. In one fatal event, two aircraft were cleared onto the same runway and collided on final approach—resulting in four fatalities. These are categorized as ‘wrong surface events,’ but the underlying issues run deeper.” SPECIALTIES: • Captain Botta is retained to analyze and opine on aviation accidents and incidents where pilot or flight crew performance may be a contributing factor. His work is particularly valuable in cases involving: • Pilot error, decision-making, and judgment breakdowns • Flight crew coordination and interpersonal conflict • Human factors, stress, and performance under pressure • Corporate, airline, and general aviation operations • Aeromedical issues affecting pilot performance • Injury and fatal accident analysis He provides clear, defensible opinions supported by experience in written reports, rebuttals, and deposition testimony. GENERAL EXPERTISE Accident Causation & Reconstruction • Pilot Judgment • Flight Crew Performance • Flight Safety • General Aviation • Human Factors • Pilot Behavior • Accident Analysis AVIATION EXPERIENCE • Airline Pilot/Captain Instructor at Trans World Airlines (TWA) • 16000 + hours airline flight experience • FAA Designated Check Airman, TWA • TWA/ALPA Pilot Professional Standards Committee, Chairman (former) • Saudi Arabia/TWA Special Assignment, CAD License # TA325 • NetJets, Gulfstream & Citation Corporate Jet Captain • 4000 + hours corporate jet flight experience • NetJets Professional Standards Committee, Chairman (former) • General Aviation, recent, Piper Cheyenne, PA-42 • FAA Certificated Flight Instructor (Current 3/28) • Aircraft Simulator instructor, General Aviation • Extensive International, and Multi-Cultural operational experience LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR (FORMER) Captain Botta’s background in counseling adds a critical layer of expertise in evaluating human performance in aviation environments. He integrates psychological and behavioral analysis into accident reconstruction, offering: • Insight into pilot decision-making under stress • Evaluation of interpersonal dynamics within flight crews • Deeper understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in accidents • Experience in both individual and group psychotherapy settings ASSOCIATIONS • Pilot Mentor/Coach – First Class Leaders • Workshop Leader – Inner Circle (First Class Leaders) • Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), TWA (former) • Chairman – TWA/ALPA Professional Standards Committee (former) • Chairman – TWA/ALPA Family Awareness Committee (former) • Chairman – NetJets Professional Standards Committee (former) EDUCATION • Master’s Degree – Counseling Psychology, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA • Bachelor off Arts, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA