Five by Five: Tragedy leads to expose of aviation industry

By Max Bowen 

When Rossana D’Antonio’s brother was killed in the 2008 TACA 390 plane crash, that loss led to a lengthy research effort that incorporated her experience as an engineer and strategic communicator to expose the shortcomings in the aviation industry, captured in her book, “26 Seconds.” 

In this article, Rossana talks about what was learned and her take on the aviation industry, as well as the call to action embedded in the story.


What inspired you to write this book?
“26 Seconds” was borne out of a personal tragedy. Fueled by heartbreak and driven by my expertise in civil infrastructure, I set out on a quest for answers. The loss of my brother in the TACA 390 plane crash wasn’t just personal—it exposed systemic gaps in aviation safety that demand accountability. As an engineer and public advocate, I wrote this book to challenge assumptions, question industry practices, and empower readers to think critically. Part memoir, part exposé—it’s a wake-up call wrapped in a deeply human story. I want people to see how one life lost can lead to broader change.

How did you go about trying to learn what happened?
As an engineer and a strategic communicator, I leveraged every tool in my arsenal to uncover what really happened, not only with TACA 390 but with other parallel aviation accidents here in the US and abroad. I pored over public records, interviewed aviation insiders, analyzed technical reports, and asked the hard questions the industry doesn’t want us to ask. Interestingly, the TACA 390 accident investigation report was never made public which, to me, screamed of a cover up. As if living a true crime story, I managed to get a copy of the report through indirect means which ultimately exposed the smoking gun.

What did you find out?
In my search for the truth, I discovered the crash wasn’t simply a tragic accident—it was the result of systemic failures that were predictable and preventable. My investigation uncovered flawed engineering, regulatory blind spots, and a pattern of corporate avoidance. I discovered an aviation industry that experiences systemic weaknesses, chooses profits over safety, withholds the truth from its customers, and is willing to risk lives to get its planes back up in the sky. “26 Seconds” reveals that what happened to my brother wasn't an outlier event but part of a troubling pattern that affects each one of us as consumers.

What’s your take on the aviation industry? Is it safe?
It depends on how you define “safe.” Statistically, flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation. But beneath the surface, “26 Seconds” reveals cracks in the aviation system. It seems that not a day goes by when the news isn’t reporting on unattended risks, overlooked warnings, and a regulatory system that too often prioritizes profit over prevention. My purpose is to spotlight the human stories, the accountability gaps, and the urgent need for reform. The real question isn’t whether the system is safe—it’s whether those in power are doing enough to keep it that way. That’s my call to action embedded in my book.

What do you hope people take from this book?
“26 Seconds,” at its core, is a challenge to look at deficiencies more deeply, question the status quo, and recognize the power of our voice. I hope readers walk away not just moved by my story but awakened to the vulnerabilities in systems we’ve always trusted. It’s a call to action—for change, for oversight, for justice. I want people to realize that every life lost in a plane crash is more than a statistic but represents a human story. And that story could be theirs. If this book sparks conversations, drives reforms, and empowers others to speak truth to power, then I’ve accomplished my mission.