The winner of TPC Aviation Case Study Contest - 2026
We are excited to announce the winner of TPC Aviation Case Study Contest is Bernat Hervás (TPC1602).
The winning case study is well-written, focusing on events well before the impact of KLM 4805 & Pan Am 1736 Instead of simplifying the matter, the paper shows technical failures in the 1970s radios, specifically detailing how AM frequency overlap caused the fatal 3-second squeal.
Why should we, as modern pilots, know this? How does an event from decades ago make a tangible difference in our day-to-day flying? What ultimate benefit do we gain from absorbing this study? As aviators, our actions affect those beyond ourselves.
Every decision ripples through the cabins and across the airspace. Risk is unavoidable, but our true objective is to identify and mitigate risks before they become hazards.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the case study! Your effort and dedication to aviation safety is truly appreciated! Please help us celebrate the wonderful contributions Bernat has made to our safety culture. Bernat is taking home a $100 visa gift card and 6 month access to Plane English’s VFR and IFR radio communications bundle.
Here are a few words from the winner:
I became interested in aviation when I was about 10 years old. I remember taking a flight from Alicante to Newcastle, and that was when I really started paying attention to airplanes. Before that, I liked travelling, but I had never thought much about how everything worked.
During the flight, I spent a lot of time looking out of the window and watching what was happening around the aircraft. I started wondering how pilots knew where to go, how airplanes could fly for so long, and what happened behind the scenes to make a flight possible.
When I got home, I began searching for videos and information about aviation. The more I learned, the more interested I became. Later, I discovered flight simulators, and that made my passion grow even more. I enjoyed learning how to fly different aircraft, planning routes, and understanding how airports and airlines operate.
Since then, aviation has become a big part of my life. Whenever I see an airplane, I still feel the same excitement that I felt when I was younger. I like learning new things about aircraft and flying, and I hope that one day I can become a commercial pilot. For me, aviation is much more than a hobby. It is something that inspires me and motivates me to keep learning every day.
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