JetBlue flight 1230 from Cancun to Newark was diverted to Tampa International Airport after experiencing a sudden drop in altitude, leading to an emergency landing. Approximately 15 people were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the FAA is investigating a potential “flight control issue” on the Airbus A320. JetBlue has stated that the aircraft is out of service for inspection and that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause. The incident occurred amidst heightened stress in air travel due to the government shutdown, impacting staffing and potentially contributing to delays, and took place just after a strong cold front had passed through Florida.
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A DeHavilland DH-6 Twin Otter carrying 20 passengers and crew crashed near the Tullahoma Regional Airport in Tennessee on Sunday afternoon. Three individuals were airlifted, and one was transported by ground, for treatment of serious injuries, while others received on-site medical attention for minor injuries. No fatalities resulted from the crash, and no ground injuries were reported. The FAA is currently investigating the incident, which involved significant damage to the plane’s tail section.
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A United Airlines flight nearly collided with a SkyWest flight on May 13th at San Francisco International Airport due to an unauthorized left turn by the United aircraft during takeoff from a parallel runway. The close call, resulting in a minimal lateral and vertical separation of 1950 and 275 feet respectively, prompted an evasive maneuver by the SkyWest crew. The FAA is investigating the incident, focusing on the United crew’s actions leading up to the unauthorized turn. Both airlines are cooperating with the investigation.
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An Army Black Hawk helicopter’s deviation from established flight paths near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) forced two commercial airliners to execute go-arounds, aborting their landings. This incident, occurring just three months after a deadly mid-air collision involving a Black Hawk and a passenger jet near DCA, prompted outrage from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who deemed the helicopter’s actions “unacceptable.” The FAA and NTSB are investigating, while Duffy plans to address the Defense Department regarding the disregard for safety protocols. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about the risks of helicopter operations in the congested airspace around DCA.
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Following a fatal helicopter crash that killed a pilot and a Spanish family of five, the FAA announced the immediate closure of New York Helicopter Tours and a review of its safety record. This action followed Senator Schumer’s call for the company’s operating permits to be revoked and for increased safety inspections across the industry, citing a history of fatal incidents. The crash, which occurred Thursday, renewed concerns about the safety of New York City’s helicopter sightseeing tours. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
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On Thursday, two American Airlines planes collided on the Reagan National Airport runway, with one wing clipping another. Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Nick LaLota, Grace Meng, and Adriano Espaillat were passengers on one of the affected flights, reporting no injuries. The FAA will investigate the incident, which occurred while the planes awaited takeoff. This event follows recent concerns regarding staffing levels and safety at the airport, prompting calls for a thorough investigation and renewed attention to air traffic control resources.
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A near-miss occurred Friday afternoon between a Delta Air Lines flight departing Reagan National Airport and a US Air Force T-38 Talon jet, prompting an onboard alert and corrective actions from air traffic control. The incident, which occurred near the site of a previous fatal collision, involved the military jet passing within close proximity to the Delta aircraft at a high rate of speed. The FAA will investigate this close call, which follows recent congressional hearings concerning numerous prior near-misses between military and commercial aircraft in the same area. This event underscores ongoing safety concerns regarding military aircraft operations near Reagan National Airport.
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On Saturday morning, multiple airliners approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport received simultaneous false TCAS collision alerts, prompting at least three go-arounds. The FAA is investigating these unusual, widespread false alarms from the aircraft’s onboard collision avoidance systems, which occurred in clusters, with no visible threats present. While the exact number of affected flights remains unclear, the incidents involved several carriers and prompted speculation from pilots and controllers. The FAA reports the issue has not recurred since Saturday.
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A near-miss occurred at Chicago Midway International Airport when a Southwest Airlines flight and a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 almost collided on the runway. The Southwest plane executed a go-around maneuver to avoid the private jet, which had entered the runway without authorization. The FAA and NTSB are investigating this incident, adding to a recent string of concerning aviation safety events. The close call involved a minimal separation distance of approximately 2,050 feet before the go-around, highlighting the need for enhanced safety protocols. Both Southwest and Flexjet are cooperating with the investigations.
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A fatal plane crash involving two small, fixed-wing aircraft occurred at approximately 8:29 a.m. at Marana Regional Airport, resulting in two confirmed fatalities. The airport was subsequently closed following the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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John Q. Hosedrinker