Orloff Consulting

Aviation Accident Reconstruction Services

Scott Rexwinkle, M.A.S

SRexwinkle@orloffconsulting.com


Mr. Rexwinkle has a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Technology from Kansas State University and a master's degree in Aeronautical Science with dual specializations in Aeronautics and Aviation/Aerospace Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Mr. Rexwinkle discovered his aptitude for mechanics while growing up in southeast Kansas; one of his earlier jobs was repairing and modifying agricultural equipment.  During his undergraduate studies he worked as an automotive technician.  After college, he moved to California and began his career in aviation working as a licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. After less than two years in the field, he was promoted to a supervisory position.  He has maintained a variety of general aviation aircraft, single-engine aircraft, multi-engine aircraft, turbo props, business jets, and helicopters.  He has also provided on-call emergency maintenance for several commercial air carriers.  

Mr. Rexwinkle joined Orloff Consulting in late 2008 and has since acquired his FAA Inspection Authorization, a master's degree, Private Pilots’ certificate and sUAS Remote Pilots’ certificate.  He has assisted in a variety of cases, rendered opinions, and testified in deposition.  He is currently employed as an Aviation Accident Forensic Analyst and is typically asked to conduct forensic investigation and/or render opinions in the following areas:

  • Review and evaluation of NTSB factual reports, studies, and specialist reports

  • Utilization of recorded radar data and GPS data for flight path reconstruction

  • Inspection and documentation of aircraft wreckage

  • Analysis of fixed-wing and helicopter crash dynamics

  • Midair collision analysis for airplanes and helicopters

  • Computer modeling for evaluation of aircraft dynamics and midair collisions

  • Evaluation of aircraft maintenance records

  • Evaluation of aircraft maintenance procedures and practices

  • Evaluation of aircraft alterations and repairs

  • Evaluation of aircraft electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, and powerplant systems, etc.

  • Preparation of expert reports

  • Troubleshooting and diagnosing of aircraft systems

Education

U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Safety Institute, Basic Aircraft Accident Investigation Course, November 4-16, 2009

Areas of Study:

·       Operations Investigations

·       Aerodynamics

·       Fire and Flammable Fluids

·       Systems

·       Legal

·       Composite Material

·       Propellers

·       Reciprocating Engines

·       Turbine Engines

·       Maintenance Records

·       Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders

·       Rules and Regulations

·       Conduct and Management

·       Metallurgy

·       Human Factors

·       Mid-Air Collisions

·       Photography

·       Rotorcraft

·       Investigation Management

·       Critical Incident Stress

·       Stall/Spin Accidents

·       In-Flight Breakups

·       Fire Investigations

·       Personal Safety

·       Interviewing Witnesses

·       Report Writing Forms

·       Managing a Small Scale Investigation

·       ICAP and NTSB Investigations

·       FAA Order 8020.11B Aircraft Accident and Incident Notification, Investigations, and Reporting

Robinson Helicopter Training School, R22/44 Series Factory Maintenance Training Course, June,  2010

Areas of Study:

·       Powerplant

·       Actuator Bearings, R44 MR Hub, Landing Gear

·       Main Rotor & Main Rotor Flight Controls

·       R22 Drive Train

·       Tail Rotor, TR Controls, MR Servicing



B.S. Aeronautical Technology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.  2010

Areas of Study:

·       Basic Aircraft Electricity

·       Aircraft Drawings

·       Aircraft Standards

·       Aircraft Science

·       Aviation Maintenance Fundamentals

·       Aircraft Welding

·       Aircraft Fluid Power

·       Airframe Systems

·       Airframe Structures / Repair

·       Airframe Electrical Systems

·       Aircraft Finish / Fabric

·       Nav Aids & Communication

·       Aircraft Inspection / Assembly

·       Powerplant Fundamentals

·       Powerplant Ignition and Electrical Systems

·       Aircraft Propellers

·       Powerplant Operations / Troubleshooting

·       Gas Turbine Powerplant

·       Powerplant Fuel Systems

·       Powerplant Overhaul

·       Technical Writing

·       Composites



M.A.S. Aeronautics, Aviation/Aerospace Safety, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide,  Daytona Beach, FL. 2015

Areas of Study:

•           Advanced Aerodynamics

•           Advanced Composites

•           Advanced Meteorology

•           Advanced Rotorcraft Operations

•           Advanced Spacecraft Design

•           Air Transportation System

•           Aircraft/Spacecraft Accident Investigation/Analysis

•           Airport Safety and Security

•           Aviation Law

•           Aviation Legislation

•           Aviation Psychology

•           Aviation Safety

•           Human Factors in Aviation

•           Statistical Analysis

•           Transportation Security

Research:

  • ADS-B and it's Potential to Reduce Midair Collisions, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Graduate Capstone Research Project, May, 2015

Pratt & Whitney Canada Level 1 General Familiarization training for PW206/207 engines.  2019

 Areas of Study:

•           Engine/Aircraft

•           Engine Systems

•           Publications & Engine Life Limits

•           Engine Characteristics

•           Engine Control Systems

Aviation Experience

Private Pilot Single Engine Land 2018 - Present

  • High Performance Endorsement

  • Tail Wheel Endorsement

sUAS Remote Pilot 2019 - Present

Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, Santa Ynez, CA. 2006-2007

Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, Santa Barbara, CA. 2007-2008

Aviation Accident Forensic Analyst, Groveland, CA. 2008-Present 

Aircraft maintenance, repair, inspection, construction, and modification. 2006-Present

Initial and recurring certification of part 135 aircraft. Santa Barbara, CA. 2007-2008

Assisted in the construction of an experimental aircraft from plans. Groveland, CA.  2008-2015

Emergency commercial aircraft maintenance. Santa Barbara, CA. 2007-2008

Pine Mountain Lake Aero Club, Cessna 172 Superhawk Pilot, Member. Groveland, CA. 2017-Present

Certificates

FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic

FAA Inspection Authorization 

FAA  Private Pilot Certificate, Airplane Single Engine Land

FAA sUAS Remote Pilot Certificate

Robinson Helicopter Training School Certificate, R22/44 series helicopters

U.S. DOT Transportation Safety Institue Certificate, Basic Aircraft Accident Investigation Course

Organizations

Experimental Aircraft Association - Member

Aircraft Maintenance Technician Society - Member

PML Aero Club - Member

Airplane Owners and Pilots Association - Member

Groveland Big Oak Flat (BOFG) School Board Member, September 2019 - Present

Tuolumne County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) August 2021 – Present


Aircraft Operated

Cessna 172M Superhawk N5231R, PIC

Cessna 182F Skylane N3403U, PIC

Pilatus PC12NG N917G, Dual Instruction Received

Citabria CH7B N37D Dual Instruction and Tailwheel endorsement

sUAS Commercially Operated

DJI Mavic Air

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

DJI Inspire

Publications

Flying A Drone: What you should know to be safe pilot, May 1, 2021, https://www.ruralairports.com/flying-a-drone/

The Drone Evolution, The Pine Mountain Lake News, June 2021, https://www.pinemountainlake.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/June_2021_PMLNews_WEB.pdf

Propel by Integra Aerospace - Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance

Work Experience

Sierra Aero Recon, Groveland, CA – February 2021 to present

Owner

Drone-Based aerial imaging and mapping services.  FAA Part 107 certificated sUAS operator

www.sierraaerorecon.com

Orloff Consulting -  November 2008 to present

Stratman Aero Service, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA - January 2007 to November 2008

Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Technician with additional management responsibilities: Service, repair, modify, and maintain all systems on Beechcraft, Beechcraft King Air, Piper, Cessna, Cessna Citation Excel, Lake, Cirrus, Globe Swift, Mooney, Columbia, and other single-engine and twin-engine reciprocating, turboprop, and turbojet general aviation aircraft, with special emphasis on troubleshooting of aircraft systems discrepancies. Provide on-call emergency maintenance for Express Jet and Sky West airlines Embraer ERJ’s and Brasilia’s. Support Director of Maintenance in parts procurement, customer invoicing, work order management, FAR Part 43 aircraft log book documentation, FAA Form 337 submission, and airworthiness directive summaries. Worked with FAA Van Nuys FSDO to prepare Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft and corresponding paperwork for FAR Part 135 initial and continuing certification. Installed, setup, organized and managed all functions and aspects of Electronic Billing information system (EBis).

Santa Ynez Aviation, Santa Ynez, CA - March 2006 to January 2007

Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Technician. Prepared aircraft for annual inspections, resolved and repaired discrepancies. Serviced, repaired, modified, and maintained all systems on Gulfstream Commander, Bell 206 Jet Ranger III Helicopter, Beechcraft Bonanza, Piper Aircraft, Cessna 100 and 200 series aircraft, Globe Swift, Mooney Aircraft, Columbia Aircraft, and other general aviation aircraft.

The Car Clinic, Inc., Manhattan, KS - July 2003 to September 2004

Automotive Technician. Troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. Estimated cost of repairs. Repaired both gasoline and diesel automobiles, boats, trucks and industrial equipment.

John Deer, Junction City, KS - May 2003 to July 2003

Agricultural mechanic.  Troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.  Maintained and repaired both small non-commercial equipment and large industrial farming equipment such as combines  and tractors. 

Irrigation and Turff Equipment, Iola, KS - May 2002 to January 2003

Golf course equipment mechanic. Troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems. Refurbished used equipment ranging from small push mowers and golf carts to industrial diesel mowers and tractors for resale. Operated forklifts, bobcats, and other heavy equipment.

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