On March 29, 2025, a kite struck United Airlines Flight 654 approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, causing no damage to the aircraft. Authorities seized the kite from Gravelly Point, a park where kite flying is prohibited due to its proximity to the airport’s runways. The incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns surrounding unauthorized aerial activity near airports, particularly given recent aviation accidents. Enforcement of FAA regulations restricting kites near airports will continue to prevent similar occurrences.
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A small plane crash in a Minneapolis suburb has understandably garnered significant attention, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirming the incident. The immediate aftermath has sparked a flurry of reactions, raising important questions about the frequency of such events and the complexities surrounding general aviation safety.
The crash itself is tragic, and the loss of life, if confirmed, is a somber reminder of the inherent risks involved in air travel, even in seemingly smaller aircraft. Initial reports suggest the plane crashed into a residential home in Brooklyn Park. While the exact number of people on board remains unclear, early assessments suggest that sadly, none of the plane’s occupants survived the impact.… Continue reading
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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A Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser crashed on frozen Tustumena Lake near Homer, Alaska, with a pilot and two children aboard. Good Samaritans, aided by radio communication, located the wreckage and survivors approximately 12 hours after the aircraft was reported overdue. All three occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a hospital. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, interviewing the pilot to determine its cause.
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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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American Airlines flight 2246 from Boston executed a standard go-around at Reagan National Airport due to an air traffic controller’s instruction to maintain separation from another aircraft departing the same runway. The airline confirmed the maneuver was a routine procedure, emphasizing its “no-fault” policy regarding go-arounds, and that the flight landed safely. A similar incident occurred shortly after at Chicago’s Midway International Airport involving a Southwest Airlines flight, also resulting in a precautionary go-around to avoid a conflict with a private jet on the runway. Both incidents highlight the safety measures employed to prevent collisions.
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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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During the Presidents’ Day weekend, Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) conducted mass firings at the FAA, impacting multiple legal offices and resulting in the dismissal of numerous lawyers responsible for pilot safety and regulatory enforcement. These cuts, targeting probationary employees with fewer workplace protections, included personnel crucial for ensuring pilot medical fitness and safe flight paths, despite claims that safety-critical roles were spared. The firings have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to maintain safety standards, particularly given an existing pilot shortage and recent aviation accidents, and have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty within the FAA. A Transportation Department spokesperson defended the actions, while the White House and DOGE did not respond to requests for comment.
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The Trump administration fired several hundred probationary FAA employees, including personnel involved in radar, landing, and navigational aid maintenance, as well as those working on a crucial national security early warning radar system for Hawaii. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that fewer than 400 employees were terminated, with no critical safety personnel affected, although the FAA’s assessment of “critical safety functions” remains unclear. The firings occurred amidst existing concerns about air traffic controller shortages and follow a recent fatal midair collision. These actions have raised significant safety and national security concerns, particularly given the abrupt nature of the dismissals and lack of stated cause.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood