Robert Sumwalt

Academic, Aviator, Government Official, and Executive Director of Embry-Riddle’s Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety

Robert Sumwalt

CMG Speaks presents Robert Sumwalt

Robert Sumwalt

Academic, Aviator, Government Official, and Executive Director of Embry-Riddle’s Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety

"Organizations with a healthy safety focus are constantly learning. They learn from their mistakes and those of others. Ideally, information regarding prior incidents and accidents is shared openly and not suppressed."
- Robert Sumwalt

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About Robert Sumwalt

Robert Sumwalt brings a distinguished career in transportation safety leadership, aviation operations, transportation safety program development, and crisis communications. He was appointed to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) by three US presidents, where he served for 15 years, including four years as NTSB Chairman.

As an accomplished pilot, Sumwalt logged over 14,000 flight hours as a captain for a major airline, flying the Boeing 727, 737 and Airbus A-320.

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Sumwalt draws upon his experiences to discuss a broad variety of topics including safety leadership, safety management systems, accident investigation, crisis communications, and safety culture. He has presented more than 300 speeches on transportation safety issues around the world, and he has testified before Congress on 17 occasions. He’s published two books on accident investigation and safety management systems, along with more than 100 articles and papers. He currently serves as on-air transportation safety analyst for CBS News.

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Embry‑Riddle Honored at 67th Annual Aviation Week Laureate Awards
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University was recognized at the prestigious 2025 Aviation Week Laureate Awards for exceptional contributions to aviation and aerospace. The ceremony, held March 6 at the National...
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NTSB says black boxes from plane and helicopter recovered after deadly crash | Special Report
The National Transportation Safety Board’s Todd Inman gave an update on the D.C. plane crash on Friday. He said investigators have all 3 of the black boxes, or data recorders, from the American Airlines...
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Former NTSB chair maps out D.C. midair collision
Robert Sumwalt, CBS News transportation safety expert and analyst and former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, detailed a map and timeline of the midair collision between an American...
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Advancing the Safety of All Who Fly: Embry‑Riddle, Boeing Partner to Advance Airline Safety
Representatives from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety recently traveled internationally to deliver an aviation safety certification course focused...
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Works by Robert Sumwalt

Aircraft Accident Analysis: Final Reports

Aircraft Accident Analysis: Final Reports

Fascinating and factual accounts of the world’s most recent and compelling crashes. Industry insiders James Walters and Robert Sumwalt, trained aviation accident investigators and commercial airline pilots, offer expert analyses of notable and recent aircraft accidents in this eye-opening, lesson-filled case file.

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Safety Management Systems in Aviation

Safety Management Systems in Aviation

Safety Management Systems in Aviation presents the quality management underpinnings of SMS. The four components that must be designed into proactive safety are: Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion.

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