Bert Botta, ATP, CFI, MA

Petaluma, California
Bert Botta, ATP, CFI, MA Expert Witness
Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Aviation Expert Witness: Airline/Corporate/GenAv

Contact this Expert Witness

  • Company: Bert Botta, Aviation Expert
  • Phone: 415-320-9811
  • Cell: 415-320-9811

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

General Specialties:

Aviation & Aerospace and Accident Reconstruction

Keywords/Search Terms:

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

Education:

MA Counseling Psychology, John F Kennedy University; BA Social Science, San Francisco State University; Post Graduate, Advanced Human Studies Institute

Years in Practice:

10

Number of Times Deposed/Testified in Last 4 Yrs:

2

Additional Information

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 awareness, and stress under pressure • Runway incursions, wrong-surface events, and runway excursions • Aeromedical issues and pilot incapacitation affecting flight safety • Pilot competency, proficiency, and training standards • Aviation negligence and wrongful death analysis • NTSB accident report analysis and accident causation reconstruction • Injury and fatal accident analysis He provides clear, defensible opinions in written expert reports, rebuttal reports, and deposition testimony. RECENT CASE EXPERIENCE (current as of 5/26) • Regional Air Carrier passenger injury (5/26) • Regional Air Carrier (CRJ900) — Hard braking event resulting in passenger and Flight Attendant injuries; retained as aviation expert • Regional Air Carrier — Passenger dry ice injury; expert opinion rendered • Runway incursion / wrong-surface event — Ongoing investigation and expert opinion (two separate matters) • Whistleblower case — Major jet charter operator; expert analysis retained • Wrongful death case — Expert opinion rendered • Pilot competency, pilot incapacity, and aeromedical issues • Deposed twice within the past five years • SEAK Expert Witness Training completed AVIATION CREDENTIALS • Trans World Airlines (TWA) Captain • Pilot Instructor • FAA Designated Check Airman • 16,000+ hours airline flight experience • TWA/ALPA Professional Standards Committee, Chairman (former) • NetJets — Gulfstream/Citation Corporate Jet Captain (former) • 4,000+ hours corporate jet flight experience • NetJets Professional Standards Committee, Chairman (former) • General Aviation, Piper Cheyenne PA-42 • FAA Certificated Flight Instructor (current, 3/28) • Aircraft Simulator Instructor, General Aviation • Extensive international and multicultural operational experience HUMAN FACTORS & BEHAVIORAL EXPERTISE Captain Botta's background as a former Licensed Professional Counselor adds critical and rare value to his expert witness work. He integrates psychological and behavioral analysis directly into accident reconstruction and pilot performance evaluation, offering: • Pilot decision-making under stress and cognitive load • Interpersonal dynamics and conflict within flight crews • Cause-and-effect analysis in human performance failures • Experience in both individual and group psychotherapy settings GENERAL EXPERTISE SUMMARY Accident Causation & Reconstruction · Pilot Judgment & Aeronautical Decision-Making · Flight Crew Performance · Standard of Care · FAA Regulatory Compliance · NTSB Analysis · Crew Resource Management (CRM) · Human Factors · Runway Incursion · Aviation Negligence · Aeromedical Issues · Wrongful Death · Litigation Support EDUCATION • Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology — John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA • Bachelor of Arts — San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA Captain Botta is available for plaintiff and defense retention. To discuss your aviation matter, contact Captain Botta directly at: botajet@me.com or 415-320-9811 cell/text