JPATS News

An Air Canada Boeing 787-8, registration C-GHQY performing flight AC-888 (dep Dec 31st 2025) from Ottawa,ON (Canada) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute nearing London when the crew declared PAN PAN reporting the outer pane of the first officer's windshield had shattered. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Heathrow's runway 27R.

The return flight was cancelled, the aircraft remained on the ground in Heathrow until Jan 3rd 2026 then returned to service.

The Canadian TSB reported: "During cruise, the crew declared a PAN PAN with EGLL ATC, due to a First Officer's shattered windscreen outer pane and due to possible icing conditions below FL100. No cabin pressure issues reported, and the aircraft landed safely in EGLL without further incident."

https://avherald.com/h?article=53295efe&opt=0

Accident: Asiana A333 enroute on Jan 8th 2026, power bank thermal runaway causes injury

An Asiana Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration HL7754 performing flight OZ-745 from Seoul (South Korea) to Hong Kong (China) with 284 people on board, was enroute about 2 hours into the flight when the power bank of a passenger suffered a thermal runaway and caught fire. Cabin crew extinguished the fire and contained the power bank. The passenger owning the device received burns to their hands. The aircraft continued to Hong Kong for a safe landing.

The airline reported the fire was extinguished in 1-2 minutes and the flight continued to Hong Kong for a normal landing.

The occurrence aircraft performed the return flight on schedule.

https://avherald.com/h?article=532947ca&opt=0

Incident: Condor A339 at Frankfurt on Jan 7th 2026, flight crew donned oxygen masks

A Condor Airbus A330-900, registration D-ANRL performing flight DE-2402 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Toronto,ON (Canada), was climbing out of Frankfurt's runway 25C when the crew stopped the climb at FL280 reporting a technical problem. About 4 minutes later the crew advised they had donned their oxygen masks and requested to return to Frankfurt. Subsequently, about 7 minutes after the decision to return to Frankfurt the crew declared PAN PAN and requested a parking position on the apron to quickly open the doors after landing. The aircraft landed safely back on Frankfurt's runway 25C about 55 minutes after departure.

A replacement A330-900 registration D-ANRK reached Toronto with a delay of about 9.5 hours.

The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Frankfurt about 29 hours after landing.

A listener on Maastricht frequency reported: "Condor with callsign CFG402 in Maastrich ATC asked for level off FL280 due to a technical problem at about 1220z. At 1224z they reported that they are using oxygen masks and wanted to return to FRA. POS was south of EDDV. At 1231z they declared PANPAN and asked for a parking pos in FRA on the apron to open the doors as quick as possible. Maastrich gave them a direct wayponit DF680, assigned them for RWY 25L and handed them over to Rhine ATC."

https://avherald.com/h?article=532880b6&opt=0

Cessna S550 Citation S/II - Ground Collision (Venezuela)

Date: Tuesday 6 January 2026

Time: c. 15:00 LT

Type: Cessna S550 Citation S/II

Owner/operator: Inversiones Elicar 2001 C.A

Registration: YV2988

MSN: S550-0107

Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:

Other fatalities: 1

Aircraft damage: Minor

Category: Accident

Location: San Juan de los Morros Airport (SVJM) - Venezuela

Phase: Landing

Nature: Executive

Departure airport: Acarigua Airport (AGV/SVAC)

Destination airport: San Juan De Los Morros Airport (SVJM)

Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources

Narrative:

A Cessna S550 S/II of Inversiones Elicar, YV2988, operating a flight from Acarigua to San Juan De Los Morros, struck a motorcyclist on the runway during landing. The motorcyclist was killed in the accident with the aircraft sustaining minor damage.

https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/565348

NTSB issues 'urgent' advice for Hawker jet stall tests

Recommendations follow two fatal accidents

The NTSB issued a batch of urgent safety recommendations regarding the operation of Hawker jet variants following two fatal accidents during manufacturer-required stall test flights following maintenance in 2024 and 2025.

Along with the two fatal accidents, another incident and two related events prompted the NTSB to call attention to gaps investigators identified in documentation, procedures, and the criteria for qualifying pilots to conduct these test flights. Ice and other wing irregularities, including bent vortex generators, caused stalls before stick pusher and simultaneously with stick shaker activation. Lack of pilot training and experience requirements that led to improper remedial action was found to be causal in one of the fatal accidents, while another investigation is ongoing.

The NTSB’s guidance to Textron Aviation, current holder of the Hawker type certificate, recommended a review of the aircraft documentation provided to pilots on all airplanes on the A3EU type certificate. Updated guidance should, according to the agency, include the effects of wing deformities or contamination on stall behavior, including that tiny changes in wing shape can have dramatic effect, allowing stalls to commence before there's any indication from the aircraft, and include an abrupt roll. The NTSB recommends that any pilot conducting such a flight be trained on proper recovery procedures, beginning with sufficient altitude.

The NTSB also recommended Textron develop for the Hawker 700, 800, 800XP, 850XP, and 900XP a “clear and thorough” stall test plan; define manufacturer-authorized training and experience requirements to qualify pilots to conduct stall training; and review all other airplanes on the type certificate model for similar issues.

In one of the accidents involving a Hawker 900XP, N900VA, near Westwater, Utah, in February 2024, the stick shaker and stick pusher failed to activate before a stall. The aircraft stalled as the stick shaker activated and before the stick pusher engaged. The late response by the stall protection system was “likely due to wing performance degradation from structural ice that accumulated as the airplane entered the clouds during part of its climb,” the NTSB wrote.A visualization of N900VA flight track data showing a corkscrew descent. Image courtesy of the NTSB.

According to the final report, after the airplane entered a stall, it abruptly rolled to the right. The flight crew responded with full left-wing-down aileron control input, full power, and full aft (airplane-nose-up pitch) elevator control input, which aggravated the aerodynamic stall and spin. The accident killed both crewmembers on board.

The NTSB found that although the aircraft manual references “unacceptable stall characteristics,” which includes that a stall may occur before stick shaker or stick pusher activation or an uncommanded roll that exceeds 20 degrees and cannot be limited by a pilot’s aileron control input, current documentation for pilots does “not provide clear information or recovery procedures beyond a statement that the elevator control must be moved forward.”

A more recent accident in October involved a Hawker 800XP airplane, XA-JMR, that crashed during a stall test flight near Bath Township, Michigan, killing the pilot, co-pilot, and a company maintenance representative on board. The NTSB wrote in its guidance that, although the investigation is ongoing, the “descent profile and other aspects of the flight are similar to those identified” in the Utah accident.

The NTSB guidance also cited a 2006 investigation of an accident involving a Corporate Jets Limited BAE 125-800A—another of 51 unique airplane models on the type rating. Six crewmembers were injured during a stall test flight when the airplane entered a stall without the expected stick shaker and stick pusher activation and rolled uncommanded through 360 degrees. Ice contamination on the wings, the NTSB wrote, resulted in the airplane’s adverse stall behavior.

The NTSB referenced two other stall test flight events where deformed vortex generators caused stalls without stick shaker or stick pusher activation and uncommanded rolls, though neither of these events resulted in damage or injuries.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2026/january/08/ntsb-issues-urgent-advice-for-hawker-jet-stall-tests

NY police helicopter forced into emergency landing after teen shines laser into pilots’ eyes: cops

An upstate 15-year-old boy forced a New York State Police chopper to make quick emergency maneuvers over Buffalo when the youth shined a green laser into the pilots’ eyes that could’ve sparked a mid-air disaster, authorities revealed Thursday.

The targeted helicopter fled from the area when the beam repeatedly hit the operators in the face sometime around 8:15 p.m., state police said.

The pilots’ night goggles could not protect them from the laser and they were forced to abruptly change direction so they would not be blinded as they flew near Ashley and Person streets, according to state police.

The beam caused spotting in the officers’ vision that was bad enough they couldn’t see their gauges, though they had no permanent harm.

The Buffalo boy was arrested and charged Wednesday with first-degree directing a laser at an aircraft – a felony.

The green laser was allegedly used by a Buffalo teen.

The 15-year-old was issued an appearance ticket for Family Court and referred to Erie County Probation, police said.

“New York State Police stress shining a laser at an aircraft is dangerous, potentially causing temporary blindness, disorientation to pilots, risking collisions and putting the community in jeopardy,” state police said in a statement.

https://nypost.com/2026/01/08/us-news/buffalo-teen-busted-for-allegedly-pointing-green-laser-at-nys-police-chopper/

Malaysia Airlines A350 Pilots Makes Emergency U-Turn to Paris

After remaining airborne for several hours to manage fuel weight, the aircraft returned to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

PARIS— Malaysia Airlines (MH) flight MH21 from Paris experienced an in-flight emergency shortly after departure, forcing the aircraft to return to its point of origin. The incident involved an Airbus A350 operating a long-haul service from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).

The widebody aircraft departed Paris later than scheduled due to adverse winter weather conditions affecting airport operations. Shortly after takeoff, the crew identified a technical issue related to the aircraft’s guidance system, prompting immediate corrective action in line with standard aviation safety procedures.

Malaysia Airlines (MH) flight MH21 from Paris experienced an in-flight emergency shortly after departure, forcing the aircraft to return to its point of origin.

Malaysia Airlines Flight Emergency Landing at CDG

Flight MH21 lifted off from Charles de Gaulle Airport at 11:55 a.m. local time after an approximate 45-minute delay caused by snowfall.

The Airbus A350, registered as 9M-MAB, departed from runway 27L and began its initial climb normally.

However, the aircraft halted its ascent at around 4,572 meters while cruising over central French airspace. Soon after, the flight crew declared an emergency by transmitting squawk 7700, the universal transponder code used to indicate a general emergency situation.

Following the declaration, air traffic controllers prioritized the aircraft and coordinated its return to Paris.

The flight maintained a controlled profile and remained within French airspace throughout the diversion.

Guidance System Issue

The emergency was triggered by a malfunction associated with the aircraft’s guidance system. This system plays a central role in managing flight trajectory by automatically calculating altitude, speed, direction, and vertical navigation inputs.

Modern guidance systems integrate the autopilot and Flight Management System to reduce pilot workload and ensure accurate adherence to the programmed flight plan. These systems are especially critical during long-haul operations and in low-visibility conditions.

Although pilots are trained to operate the aircraft manually if required, any anomaly affecting automated flight guidance warrants immediate assessment.

In this case, the crew followed established safety protocols and opted to discontinue the flight as a precaution.

Safe Landing Outcome

After remaining airborne for several hours to manage fuel weight, the aircraft returned to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Flight tracking data shows that the Airbus A350 landed safely at 3:36 p.m. local time without further incident.

Emergency services were on standby as a precaution, though no injuries or secondary technical issues were reported. Passengers disembarked normally following arrival, and the aircraft was scheduled for a technical inspection before any further operations.

Malaysia Airlines emphasized that safety remains its highest priority. The airline’s decision to return to Paris reflects industry best practices when handling technical irregularities on long-haul flights.

Bottom Line

The Malaysia Airlines flight from Paris to Kuala Lumpur turned back after a guidance system issue shortly after departure.

The Airbus A350 returned safely to Charles de Gaulle Airport following an emergency declaration, highlighting the effectiveness of crew training and standard aviation safety procedures.

The incident caused operational disruption but resulted in no reported injuries, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to passenger safety.

https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/01/09/malaysia-airlines-a350-pilots-makes-emergency-u-turn-to-paris/

South Korea admits airport safety failure contributed to the 179 Jeju Air deaths

Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board

More than a year after the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport (MWX), South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has acknowledged for the first time that a concrete structure at the airport failed to meet safety standards and likely contributed to the high death toll.

A government-commissioned simulation report, disclosed on December 8, 2025 by opposition lawmaker Kim Eun-hye, concluded that all 179 passengers who died would likely have survived had the concrete mound supporting the airport’s localizer been designed to break upon impact, or not existed at all.

The admission marks a significant reversal from the ministry’s initial position immediately after the December 29, 2024 crash, when officials insisted that the installation was legal.

The crash

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 operating a domestic flight from Bangkok made an emergency belly landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province after a bird strike disabled its landing gear. The aircraft slid along the runway before colliding with a concrete structure supporting the localizer, a navigation aid used during runway approaches.

The collision triggered an explosion and fire, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. Only two flight attendants seated at the far rear of the aircraft survived, making it one of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades.

Simulation findings

According to the simulation conducted by the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea, the aircraft would have slid approximately 630 meters before stopping without the barrier. Passengers would likely have survived without serious injuries.

A separate simulation assuming a frangible, breakaway structure similarly projected no serious injuries and limited damage to the aircraft.

“The hill that should have been breakable became a deadly barrier,” Kim said in a statement. “We must uncover the full truth behind how this happened.”

Regulatory failure

The ministry told the National Assembly that “the localizer at Muan Airport failed to comply with airport safety operation standards”. According to regulations established in 2003 and enforced in 2010, any navigation facility installed within 240 meters of a runway end must be designed to break upon impact and be installed as low as possible.

The concrete structure stood 199 meters from the runway’s end. Though the airport opened in 2007, before the 2010 enforcement date, a critical opportunity to rectify the issue came during a 2020 upgrade project.

Despite including a requirement to review frangibility measures in the upgrade project’s design tender, the localizer remained on its concrete mound. Meeting records show no objections were raised when Muan Airport opted to keep the structure unchanged.

“This amounts to an acknowledgment that necessary safety improvements were not made during the 2020 upgrade,” Kim said, calling for strict accountability.

Calls for justice

Victims’ families issued a statement calling the crash “a clear case of human error” and rejecting claims that it was unavoidable. They demanded an official apology from investigators; legislative changes to ensure independence of accident probes; full disclosure of investigation materials; and a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry.

The families’ demands gained momentum when the Korean National Assembly approved a cross-party investigation on December 22, 2025, by a vote of 245 to one. The independent special committee comprises 18 members and began work immediately for an initial 40-day period, with the possibility of extension.

The probe will examine the crash’s cause; where responsibility for the disaster lies; whether bird strike risks were underestimated; the design and management of the concrete structure; and whether government agencies attempted to downplay or cover up the incident.

Opposition lawmakers revealed that the simulation report had been completed in August but remained undisclosed until now. The People Power Party called for a full criminal investigation, warning that a special counsel probe should be launched if the current inquiry proves insufficient.

Lawmakers also noted that airport navigation structures such as localizers are not explicitly covered under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and urged legal revisions. They called for investigations to include senior officials involved in the airport’s construction and the 2020 upgrade, noting that none of the 44 individuals currently under investigation include high-ranking Transport Ministry officials.

Muan International Airport has remained closed since the crash and is not scheduled to reopen until April 2026. The full investigative report is still pending after authorities missed a one-year deadline to release a progress update.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/south-korea-admits-airport-safety-failure-contributed-to-the-179-jeju-air-deaths

Watchdog Cites Safety, ATC Updates as Top FAA Challenges

Safety was a common challenge across transportation modes

A government watchdog this week cited aviation safety and air traffic control modernization as two of the top management challenges confronting the FAA. The Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG) releases a list of top management challenges facing the various agencies within the department every year, evaluating safety impacts, established vulnerabilities, fiscal accountability, and the DOT’s ability to effect change, it said.

Safety was a common theme among all of the transportation modes, and for the FAA, the DOT IG pointed to recent aviation accidents, runway incursions, mechanical failures, and the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision in Washington, D.C. These events, it said, “continue to keep serious safety concerns at the forefront.”

Addressing these concerns will depend in part on the FAA’s ability to address ATC and airspace modernization and improve staffing shortages.

In addition, the FAA must balance compliance with collaboration in its oversight responsibilities. “[The] FAA’s approach to compliance stresses a collaborative problem-solving strategy with the goal of achieving rapid compliance with regulations, eliminating safety risks, and fostering permanent change,” the DOT IG noted. “However, as we have reported in multiple audits of FAA’s oversight of air carrier maintenance programs, the recurrence of complex safety issues suggests that inspectors face challenges with identifying and addressing systemic hazards. When FAA inspectors do not consistently analyze historical data to identify repeat noncompliance, they miss opportunities to address root causes and prevent recurrence.”

It cited as an example maintenance inspectors at the FAA’s SkyWest Certificate Management Office (CMO) who did not always adhere to FAA guidance in addressing noncompliance. “Such non-standard practices can cause confusion at the air carrier regarding the seriousness of the identified risks.” Exacerbating this is the loss of managers, which in turn depletes institutional knowledge.

On the ATC side, the DOT IG noted longstanding challenges in adequate controller staffing at the most critical facilities; studies have shown that 19 of the busiest ATC facilities that serve the FAA’s core 30 airports are more than 15% below the FAA’s staffing targets. Hiring and training additional controllers “will be essential to curbing flight delays and cancellations and sustaining the integrity of the NAS,” the watchdog said. It recognized efforts on this front, such as the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative and plans for monetary incentives.

At the same time, the agency is grappling with the integrity of the ATC infrastructure. The DOT IG cited the 90-second blackout of radar and radio contact with air traffic that occurred in April 2025 due to a burnt copper wire, followed by another 90-second outage a month later, due to failures of both primary and redundant communication infrastructure. “Investing in technology and redundant infrastructure across the NAS will be key to prevent further occurrences like these and maintain NAS integrity,” the agency said.

It noted the DOT’s plans to install a new air traffic control system, ambitions that will require some $31.5 billion through 2028. This is taking place as the FAA is terminating its Office of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), which oversaw the Agency’s prior multi-decade, multibillion-dollar modernization efforts. “Our multiple reports identified various challenges to NextGen’s implementation that led to cost increases, schedule overruns, and delayed or reduced benefits and capabilities.”

The watchdog warned that the FAA has yet to unveil a plan to anticipate and mitigate implementation challenges. “Since 2013, we have reported several underlying causes for FAA’s difficulties in advancing NextGen, including the lack of an executable plan and unresolved critical design decisions regarding implementation costs and how technologies would be developed or integrated,” the DOT IG said. “To avoid these longstanding challenges that delayed NextGen, FAA will need a comprehensive…plan that also addresses the potential impact of external factors beyond the agency’s control, such as inflation and supply chain challenges.”

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2026-01-08/watchdog-cites-safety-atc-updates-top-faa-challenges

Akasa Air joins global airlines' association IATA after completing mandatory safety audit

Akasa Air has joined international aviation association IATA, after completing the Operational Safety Audit. It became the fifth Indian airline to join the group. Details here.

Akasa Air, India's youngest airline, announced on Friday, 9 January, that it has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a member, news agency PTI reported.

In a statement released on Friday, Akasa Air said it has secured IATA membership after successfully completing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is a mandatory requirement for airlines seeking to join the global aviation body.

According to IATA's website, it is a trade association of the global airline industry, and its current members account for 80% of global air traffic. The association was formed in 1945 to support the development of the commercial standards upon which the global air transport industry is built.

Akasa Air joins global community

Founded in 2020 by aviation entrepreneur Vinay Dube, the airline has steadily expanded its presence in the sector and will now become a member of a global trade association that represents more than 360 carriers across the world.

This move will give the airline a seat at the table alongside some of the biggest players in the International aviation industry. Out of the 360 members, four Indian carriers are also a part of the community, which includes Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet.

Also Read | IndiGo, Akasa to start flights from Navi Mumbai on Dec 25 — Check routes here

“We are excited to welcome Akasa Air as an IATA member. India's aviation potential is huge, with the industry supporting 7.7 million jobs and USD 53.6 billion in economic contribution,” Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific for IATA Sheldon Hee was quoted as saying by PTI.

About Akasa Air — fleet size, investors, other details

Operating a fleet of 31 Boeing 737 MAX planes, Akasa Air currently serves a network spanning 26 destinations within India and six international cities, steadily expanding its footprint across key domestic routes while strengthening its presence in select overseas markets.

Speaking of the IATA membership, Akasa Air Founder and CEO Vinay Dubey said that the association will strengthen the airline's global credibility and position it as a future-ready Indian airline on the world stage.

Also Read | Shankh Airlines chairman says operations likely to begin in January

The late ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala had heavily backed the airline, having invested almost $35 million for a nearly 40% stake in the company. In a more recent development, the airline attracted fresh investments from promiment institutional investors, including Premji Invest, 360 ONE Asset and Claypond Capital coming on board in 2025.

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/akasa-air-joins-global-airlines-association-iata-after-completing-mandatory-safety-audit-details-here-11767950393664.html

FAA Flags 737NG Stabilizer Freeplay Risk

The FAA plans to order mandatory inspections of Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) horizontal stabilizer components following reports of “excessive freeplay,” or looseness, causing pitch control issues, a draft rule reveals.

The draft order, set for publication Jan. 9, would mandate inspections of left and right horizontal stabilizer pivot hinges and the jackscrew “to determine freeplay value,” the draft rule said. Worn parts must be replaced, it added.

“Currently, there is no inspection requirement in place to address the wear of the left and right horizontal stabilizer pivot hinges and jackscrew,” the draft directive said.

Horizontal stabilizer freeplay has been linked to multiple reports of “pitch oscillation events,” the draft rule said. Boeing alerted operators of the issue in a June 2025 service bulletin and recommended the inspection protocol. The FAA’s planned mandate is based on the bulletin.

The FAA’s draft directive does not detail the inflight incidents, nor does it detail the proposed inspection deadline or affected population of 737NGs. Affected operators should refer to Boeing’s bulletin for inspection timetable details and affected serial numbers, the agency said.

The FAA estimates the directive would apply to 1,987 U.S.-registered aircraft. Global adoption is likely.

https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/faa-flags-737ng-stabilizer-freeplay-risk

South Korea–Hong Kong Air Travel Incident Highlights Cabin Safety as Asiana Airlines A350 Manages Battery Fire in Flight

A routine evening journey between South Korea and Hong Kong was briefly disrupted when a minor cabin fire occurred aboard an Asiana Airlines Airbus A350, drawing attention to the growing safety challenges associated with lithium-powered personal devices in modern air travel. The incident unfolded on January 8, 2026, during a scheduled flight from Incheon International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport, two major hubs supporting tourism and business travel across East Asia. Although the situation was controlled swiftly and professionally by the cabin crew, one passenger sustained a minor injury, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to onboard safety regulations.

The aircraft continued its journey and landed normally, ensuring minimal disruption to travel plans and airport operations in Hong Kong, a city heavily reliant on international aviation for tourism and commerce. Events of this nature, while rare, have increasingly been observed across the Asia-Pacific region as air travel rebounds and passengers carry a growing number of rechargeable electronic devices. The occurrence has reinforced ongoing discussions within the global aviation and tourism sectors regarding passenger awareness, airline preparedness, and regulatory compliance related to lithium battery carriage.

By examining this incident in detail, valuable insight is offered into how airlines, airports, and travelers across South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China continue to balance safety with convenience in an evolving travel landscape.

Cabin Fire Reported on Asiana Airlines Flight OZ745

A small cabin fire was reported aboard Asiana Airlines Flight OZ745 while en route from Seoul to Hong Kong. The aircraft, an Airbus A350, had departed from Incheon International Airport carrying 284 passengers. During the cruise phase of the flight, smoke and flames were observed originating from a passenger’s power bank within the cabin area.

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