Southwest Airlines pilot David Paul Allsop was arrested in Savannah, Georgia, on DUI charges before his scheduled flight to Chicago. Airport police removed Allsop from duty due to suspected intoxication, and Southwest accommodated affected passengers on other flights. Allsop’s bail was set at $3,500, and he has been released. This incident highlights the FAA’s strict regulations prohibiting alcohol consumption by pilots within eight hours of flying or with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.
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A UTair flight from Moscow to Dubai made an emergency landing due to a hydraulic fluid issue, marking the fourth Russian airline incident in 2025 and the second for UTair in a week. This follows a recent trend of technical problems plaguing Russian airlines, attributed to Western sanctions limiting maintenance and parts supply, forcing “cannibalization” of aircraft. The resulting fleet reduction and increased incidents, coupled with a “red flag” designation from the ICAO, highlight significant safety concerns within Russian aviation. These issues are further exacerbated by reported fuel rationing and rising fuel costs.
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The missing data from the Jeju Air flight recorders, specifically the crucial final four minutes before the crash, is raising a lot of questions. This absence of information, confirmed by South Korea’s ministry, is understandably concerning and highlights a critical aspect of aviation safety—the reliability of the “black box.”
It seems many are surprised that the flight recorders didn’t have a backup battery. While some older aircraft models, like the one involved in this incident, may not have been mandated to include them, the general sentiment is that such a safety measure should be standard. The idea that the black box, designed to capture every detail of a flight, could itself fail due to a power outage strikes many as counterintuitive.… Continue reading
On December 30th, Lauda Air flight FR748, an Airbus A320 en route from Riga to Vienna, experienced two aborted landings due to GPS jamming. The aircraft diverted to Brno, Czech Republic, due to the interference coupled with low visibility in Vienna. The captain attributed the incident to GPS jamming, stating that landing in Brno was safer given the weather conditions. Ryanair confirmed the technical issue and apologized for the diversion, arranging coach transport for passengers to Vienna. Increased GPS jamming incidents, particularly in the Baltics since 2022, have raised concerns.
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Another Jeju Air jet experienced a landing gear issue on Monday, prompting an immediate return to the airport. This incident follows other recent reports of aircraft malfunctions, fueling concerns about airline safety and sparking a flurry of online discussion. The seemingly frequent occurrence of these events has naturally led to increased public scrutiny and a heightened sense of anxiety surrounding air travel.
The decision to turn back after takeoff, despite the need to ultimately use the landing gear for any landing, is a key point of discussion. The immediate safety of passengers is paramount; landing with a malfunctioning system introduces significant risks that likely outweigh the potential complications of returning to the departure airport.… Continue reading
Air Canada Flight 2259, operated by PAL Airlines, experienced a suspected landing gear malfunction upon arrival at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, resulting in a skidding landing and a subsequent fire on one side of the aircraft. The 73 passengers and crew evacuated the plane, with some reporting minor injuries despite a significant drop to the runway and the presence of fire and smoke. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the incident, which temporarily closed a runway and caused flight disruptions. Air Canada will retrieve passengers’ belongings once the investigation is complete.
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Missile attacks on civilian aircraft have tragically become the leading cause of airline passenger deaths in the last decade, with over 500 fatalities recorded. The recent downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, allegedly by a Russian missile, marks the third major incident since 2014, following similar attacks in Ukraine and Iran. These incidents significantly outweigh other causes of airline fatalities, including even the deadliest non-missile related crashes. The total death toll from these missile attacks far surpasses that of other major airline accidents in the past ten years. Investigations are ongoing into the most recent incident, with the Kremlin urging caution against premature conclusions.
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A US judge’s rejection of Boeing’s plea deal in the fatal 737 MAX crashes underscores a profound failure of corporate accountability. Boeing’s attempt to minimize their culpability, initially blaming pilot error, reveals a disturbing disregard for human life. The argument that the pilots were at fault ignores the crucial fact that Boeing knowingly withheld critical information about the MCAS system, a flight control system implicated in the crashes.
This omission was not an oversight; it was a deliberate decision driven by a desire to avoid the costs associated with pilot retraining. The company’s executives prioritized profit over safety, demonstrating a shocking level of corporate negligence.… Continue reading
Following incidents of gunfire directed at civilian aircraft in Haiti, the Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a 30-day ban on U.S. civilian flights to and from the country, effective immediately. This ban also prohibits U.S. flights from operating below 10,000 feet in Haitian airspace. The decision was made out of concern for the safety of passengers and crew, as both Spirit Airlines and American Airlines reported incidents of their aircraft being struck by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. American Airlines has suspended flights to the Haitian capital through February 12th, and JetBlue Airways has also temporarily ceased service to Haiti.
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A Honda HA-420 light business jet crashed into a vehicle shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona, resulting in the deaths of five people. The plane appeared to have breached the airport’s fencing before striking the vehicle. Authorities confirmed that all five occupants of the plane perished in the crash, but did not disclose whether any individuals in the vehicle were among the victims. The Mesa Police Department closed the area for an investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and Mesa authorities.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood