Robert J. Butler, Ph.D., P.E.

Dr. Butler is a Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineer and a Principal of Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi). Dr. Butler earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering researching jet engine turbine blade heat transfer. He joined ESi after serving more than twenty years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as lead Air Force Engineer for the F120 jet engine, program manager for the C-17 jet engine program, and engineering professor. 

At ESi, Dr. Butler brings sought after expertise in vehicle and aircraft accident investigation and reconstruction gained from nearly two decades in the field, extensive knowledge of mechanical/aeronautical systems, and comprehensive training in accident reconstruction at Northwestern University, the University of North Florida, and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).  His accident reconstruction methodology incorporates state-of-the-art data collection, computer simulation, and software analysis tools.

Motor Vehicles

Dr. Butler has analyzed a wide range of single and multiple vehicle accidents involving commercial vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, race cars, pedestrians, human factors, limited visibility, and mechanical design issues.  His deep understanding of vehicle dynamics allows him to analyze all contributing factors in an accident and accurately determine cause as well as operator and environmental factors which may have contributed to an accident.

Dr. Butler is co-inventor of a laser liquid-crystal measuring method which was granted a U.S. patent.  He is also a certified commercial vehicle brake inspector.

Aviation and Aeronautics

Dr. Butler has extensive expertise and training in investigating aircraft accidents. His experience includes accidents involving both commercial and private aircraft, mid-air and ground collisions, and mechanical failures. He also has significant expertise in aerodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, wind tunnels, and experimental testing. 

Prior to joining ESi, Dr. Butler taught Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering courses at the USAF Academy and the USAF Test Pilot School. Relevant topics include fluid dynamics, aerodynamics (subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic), aeronautics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and engineering design.  He also served as Professor of Aerospace Studies and Commander at the University of South Florida in Tampa.  Dr. Butler earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering researching jet engine turbine blade heat transfer. 

Over the course of his career, Dr. Butler has authored more than twenty technical papers, reports, and articles, and presented on a wide variety of technical, leadership, and educational topics.  Dr. Butler is also an accomplished amateur race car driver, mechanic, and high performance driving instructor.