Mr. Leppard has been active in aviation accident investigation and reconstruction since 1965. He participated with the NTSB in over 25 field investigations, and has assisted in the reconstruction of over 100 accidents. He is an experienced trial witness. He was chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association National Accident Investigation Board, and was chairman of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations Accident Analysis Committee. He has completed courses in accident investigation and reconstruction, and taught courses in those disciplines to airline pilot investigators. He has won several awards for his accident investigation and reconstruction activities.
Mr. Leppard has a B.S. in physics, and a dual M.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. He completed the Univ. of So. California Aircraft Accident Investigation course, and also completed the Northwestern University Basic and Advanced Surface Accident Investigation courses, including auto, motorcycle, bicycle, trucks and trains.
Mr. Leppard has over 46 years of experience as a commercial pilot in Part 121, Part 135 and Part 91 operations. He has over 22,000 hours of flight time, and is type rated in 12 different aircraft types. He is experienced in airline aircraft, corporate aircraft and light aircraft, and is currently flying corporate aircraft in domestic and international operations.
Mr. Leppard has over 500 hours of flight instructor time in light and corporate jet aircraft. He has been a chief pilot for several operations, and has been approved by the FAA as an instructor and check airman on several aircraft types under Part 135.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: B.S. Physics, Fairleigh Dickenson University
M.S. Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers
University
Airline TransportPilot Certificate #1471688
Aircraft single & multi-engine land. Type ratings in the G-IV, DA-900/50, HS-125, LR-JET, CE-500, L-188, B-727, B-757, B-767, A-300, L-1011, MD-11
Flight Instuctor, Single & Multi-Engine & Instrument
Flight Engineer, Turbojet & Piston
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Air Line Pilots Association (Retired)
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI)
National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Instructed in ALPA Aircraft Accident Investigator School.
Featured speaker at the following industry conferences:
NTSB 1975 Industry Seminar, Downingtown, PA
DOT/FAA Human Factors Workshop, Cambridge, MA
Eastern Air Lines/Embrie-Riddle Safety Seminar, Daytona Beach, FL
NTSB 1983 Industry Seminar, Springfield, VA (Panel Chairman)
New York City Bar Association - Aviation Section
Japanese Government/ALPA-Japan Safety Seminar, Tokyo, Japan (Conference Chairman)
Irish ALPA Safety Conference, Dublin, Ireland
ISASI International Seminars in Canada, Israel, and New Zealand
IFALPA Annual Conferences in Israel and England
Numerous ALPA Safety Conferences
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Approximately 100
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: All areas of accident reconstruction, including pilot performance, training, weather analysis, aircraft systems failures, cockpit resource management and mid-air collisions. Also NTSB Report Analysis, wreckage inspection, air traffic control procedures, flight recorder readouts, voice recorder analysis, ATC voice tape analysis, NTAP analysis, FAA certificate actions, and company disciplinary proceedings, including terminations.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 50 per cent.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 50 per cent.
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately 23.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: October, 2007
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 14
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 16
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 34
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Accident investigation, analysis and reconstruction, report writing. See areas of expertise in which I have been retained as an expert, above.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 150
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 150
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 150
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 150
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: $75 per hour for time spent in travel. Actual expenses incurred.
