“Where others see only ‘human error,’ and learn nothing of value, Rossana takes us by the hand and shows us what there is to learn and love instead. Speaking for the dead speaks as loudly for Cesare as it does for everyone who could have been in his shoes. It speaks for the past as much as for the future—our future, and the future of Cesare’s legacy.”—Dr. Sidney Dekker author of The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error

“26 Seconds is at once a searing portrait of grief and a damning investigation of an industry that puts profit over safety at every turn. With an engineer's exactitude, Rossana D'Antonio exposes how blaming "pilot-error" is often a cover for corporate greed and systemic failures. Like so many plane crashes, the flight that killed D'Antonio's brother was not an accident -- and this powerful book is an affecting guide to understanding why.”—Jessie Singer author of There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster—Who Profits and Who Pays the Price

“D'Antonio takes you on a journey of discovery. 26 Seconds is a story that blends the humanity following an aviation disaster, an obsessive quest for answers, finding purpose beyond tragedy, and a scathing rebuke on the weaknesses in our aviation industry. Heartbreaking and so timely.”—Gloria Feldt author of No Excuses and Co-Founder & President of Take the Lead

“26 Seconds is impossible to put down. You will read it in one sitting. I happily lost a night’s sleep as my heart raced, tears stinging my eyes. Turning page-after-page, I couldn’t read fast enough to see if Rossana’s heroic search to find the “smoking gun” that would ultimately clear her brother’s name would be uncovered by her ceaseless efforts to research each detail of the disaster.”—Monica Holloway author of Driving with Dead People

“This story will move you to tears and move you to action—which is to say that it does what a great memoir must do. With the heart of a sister, Rossana takes us inside the life of a brother who loved to fly and died doing it. With the mind of an activist and an engineer, she takes us inside the aviation industry that is far too quick to lay blame on the pilot in the cockpit rather than examine its own shortcomings. A riveting read—and an important one for anyone who steps on a plane.”—Jennie Nash, CEO, Author Accelerator

“Rossana’s passion for public safety is an impressive legacy that honors not only her brother but also herself. A profound, and well-written journey of healing from a very personal tragedy.”—Bonnie Comfort, author of Staying Married is the Hardest Part: A Memoir of Passion, Secrets and Sacrifice

“26 Seconds is a deeply moving memoir about loss, resilience, and the search for truth. When Rossana's beloved brother is tragically killed in a devastating plane crash, her world shatters in an instant—just 26 seconds of chaos altering the course of her life forever. This important story illustrates how unimaginable pain can lead to purpose—and the power to make a difference. Somewhere up there Cesare is smiling.”—Deb Miller, author of Forget the Fairy Take and Find Your Happiness

“26 Seconds pulls you into a deep personal family crisis on a personal level, where the reader has an unquenchable thirst to get to the truth themselves. It also highlights the author’s defining moment, when she will not let governments and large, influential businesses hide the inconvenient truth by placing blame on ‘pilot error.’ Because of her valor, she will have saved countless other lives, while also reframing her brother’s death as a hero who saved 130 lives. My hat’s off to Rossana for telling this important story!”—Maria Lehman, PE Director, US Infrastructure at GHD and 2023 ASCE President

“A very personal, heart wrenching story. I came away so inspired by grief transformed into a positive mission.” —Marsha Anderson Bomar, Ph.D. Commissioner Emeritus Atlanta Department of Transportation

“Rossana has woven a deeply personal narrative of loss. This is a compelling book with an important message for all of us to be catalysts for change. A powerful book!”—Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, 2025 ASCE President & Dean of Engineering and Sciences Tecnologico de Monterrey

“26 Seconds took me on an emotional journey and challenged me to look at the airline industry with critical eyes – the same way I’d critically review other transportation systems and infrastructure I rely on every day. If a system results in prioritization of profits over people will future disasters claim someone else’s brother? If we heed Rossana’s warning, we can avoid someone else’s grief.”—Carol Haddock, PE Former Director Houston Public Works

“26 Seconds is both a memoir and a compelling examination of the decisions airlines, manufacturers, and oversight agencies make regarding traveler safety. D’Antonio highlights instances where safety concerns were identified but, for various reasons, went unaddressed. The book underscores the need for strong leadership and the courage to make difficult decisions when balancing competing priorities. While centered on air travel, its lessons extend far beyond aviation, prompting readers to reflect on where they might be compromising safety for convenience, comfort, or cost.”—Kristina Swallow, PE 2018 ASCE President