New users to SMS-Pro must click HERE

 

to complete the Induction Process

Flight Safety Information  - June 3, 2026    No. 108

 

 

 

In This Issue



 

: “Can you evaluate your performance again the entire aviation market? Signup for a Clearview Demo Today!” 



: Incident: Edelweiss A320 near Geneva on Jun 1st 2026, engine vibrations

 

: SFO Selects ProSafeT

 

: Incident: Lauda Europe A320 at Alicante on Jun 1st 2026, flaps problems

 

: Lebanon launches safety audit of Middle East Airlines amid pilot groups' complaints

 

: Expectations Shift For Pilots Ahead

 

: ‘That guy’s insane’: FAA investigates JetBlue flight’s close call near Fort Lauderdale airport

 

: Frontier passenger chokes off-duty flight attendant after trying to open exit door and cockpit on Chicago flight, police say

 

: Door Ripped Off Boeing 787 Dreamliner at One of the World’s Most Remote Airports Leaving Engineers Flummoxed

 

: GE Aerospace completes ground test of megawatt-class hybrid electric engine system

 

: Indian airlines show interest in up to 200 Russian aircraft

 

: World's longest-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR takes to the skies

 

: Textron Aviation celebrates rollout of 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 aircraft

 

: Enough excuses: The FAA must act now to prevent another midair tragedy

 

: Graduate Research Request- A

 

: Graduate Research Request - B

 

: Calendar of Events

 

: Today's Photo



 

 

 

 

Incident: Edelweiss A320 near Geneva on Jun 1st 2026, engine vibrations

 

An Edelweiss Airbus A320-200, registration HB-IHX performing flight WK-220 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Seville,SP (Spain) with 147 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Zurich's runway 28 when the crew stopped the climb at FL290 due to engine (CFM56) vibrations. After about 7 minutes the crew decided to return to Zurich for a safe landing on runway 14 about one hour after departure.

 

The rotation was cancelled.

 

The airline reported the crew returned to Zurich due to high engine vibrations.

 

The passengers were rebooked onto the flight the following day.

 

https://avherald.com/h?article=53a00c6b&opt=0

 

 

 

 

Incident: Lauda Europe A320 at Alicante on Jun 1st 2026, flaps problems

 

A Lauda Europe Airbus A320-200 on behalf of Ryanair, registration 9H-LOZ performing flight FR-1567 from Vienna (Austria) to Alicante,SP (Spain), was on final approach to Alicante's runway 10 when the crew initiated a go around. The aircraft positioned for another approach and landed on runway 10 at a slightly higher than normal speed about 25 minutes after the go around.

 

A passenger reported the captain announced due to technical problems they would hold over Alicante. The subsequent landing was "really hard and fast". Cabin crew indicated to passengers that they did have flaps problems.

 

A replacement A320-200 registration 9H-LOT positioned from Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) to Alicante and performed the return flight with a delay of about 8:15 hours.

 

The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Alicante for about 16 hours, then positioned to Palma Mallorca and resumed service.

 

https://avherald.com/h?article=539ff511&opt=0

 

 

Lebanon launches safety audit of Middle East Airlines amid pilot groups' complaints

 

Pilot group IFALPA flags safety concerns to Lebanon's Middle East Airlines

SkyTeam Pilots Association met with SkyTeam alliance carriers over concerns about member MEA

 

MEA makes support payments to Lebanese aviation workers

 

June 3 (Reuters) - Lebanon's aviation regulator has launched a safety audit of Middle East Airlines (MEA) as pilot groups raised concerns that crews were being asked to fly close to airstrikes and penalized for reporting safety incidents, according to letters ​seen by Reuters.

 

The audit puts scrutiny on the Beirut-based flag carrier, which has kept the country connected through war and financial collapse even as many foreign airlines have avoided large ‌parts of Middle East airspace because of missile and drone risks since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began in February.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-launches-safety-audit-middle-east-airlines-amid-pilot-groups-complaints-2026-06-03/

 

 

Expectations Shift For Pilots Ahead

 

FAA Testing Changes Signal A New Era In How Pilot Knowledge Will Be Measured And Applied.

 

The way pilots prepare for written exams is about to change in a very real way. The FAA is moving away from static study materials and toward dynamic, scenario based testing. Training programs and applicants will need to adapt quickly as the new system takes hold.

 

The FAA is preparing a major overhaul to pilot knowledge testing that will begin in October, starting with the Instrument Rating exam. The most notable change removes printed test supplement books entirely, replacing them with embedded images that appear directly within the online testing environment. These visuals will no longer be publicly accessible in advance and may vary from one test session to another, even for identical questions.

 

Under the new system, images will be randomly paired with questions, meaning two applicants could face the same prompt but see different diagrams, charts, or figures. The FAA’s stated goal is to reduce rote memorization and better assess true applied knowledge rather than recall of pre-published materials.

 

The shift has sparked discussion within the training community about how pilot competency is evaluated. Some instructors argue that knowledge testing should evolve further, including the possibility of weighting questions based on complexity rather than assigning equal value across the board. Others point out that it remains difficult to directly link testing formats with safety outcomes when comparing FAA data with international standards.

 

Beyond the exam room, the broader aviation landscape is also shifting. Airline hiring has cooled for entry level first officers, though demand for experienced captains remains steady. For pilots in training, the emphasis remains on progression through certifications and staying ready for future cycles.

 

As testing methods evolve and industry conditions fluctuate, adaptability continues to define successful entry into aviation, where preparation and timing often matter as much as skill.

 

https://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=16EFA1E2-5494-4130-AFE8-A20AAA262AE6

 

 

‘That guy’s insane’: FAA investigates JetBlue flight’s close call near Fort Lauderdale airport

 

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a close call between a JetBlue flight heading toward the Fort Lauderdale airport and another plane, officials confirmed Tuesday.

 

Just after 6 p.m. Monday, JetBlue Flight 1256 was approaching Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after taking off from Guayaquil, Ecuador, earlier that day, according to FlightAware. But the passenger plane had to divert its path to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft, according to archived radio transmissions.

 

The air traffic controller first warned the pilot about “VFR traffic” six nautical miles away, according to the archived radio. VFR traffic refers to planes that are navigating by Visual Flight Rules, or by sight, rather than using instruments.

 

Less than two minutes later, the JetBlue pilot can be heard telling the air traffic controller, “they’re turning toward us,” according to the radio, while the air traffic controller reported that the plane was one nautical mile away.

 

“We have a TCAS alert, we’re moving,” the pilot said. A TCAS alert, referring to the plane’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, is a cockpit alert designed to avoid mid-air collisions by monitoring the space around an aircraft.

 

“That guy’s insane,” the air traffic controller said after the pilot had successfully navigated away to avoid a potential collision, referring to the pilot of the VFR aircraft as “Mad Max.” He later warned another pilot that “there’s a VFR out there that’s been trying to climb at aircraft.”

 

Despite the close call, the “required separation was maintained” between the two aircraft, a spokesperson for the FAA said in an email, referring to the minimum distance legally allowed between two aircraft. The agency said it is investigating the event but did not respond to questions about the identity of the second aircraft.

 

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over aviation safety in the wake of the mid-air collision that killed 67 people in Washington, D.C., in January 2025. Close calls involving commercial aircraft occur more often than people realize, averaging multiple times a week in 2023, the New York Times reported. A shortage of air traffic controllers has exacerbated the problem.

 

Spokespeople for JetBlue and the Fort Lauderdale airport did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/06/02/that-guys-insane-faa-investigates-jetblue-flights-close-call-near-fort-lauderdale-airport/

 

 

Frontier passenger chokes off-duty flight attendant after trying to open exit door and cockpit on Chicago flight, police say

 

A Frontier Airlines flight heading to Chicago on Sunday had to divert to Miami International Airport because a passenger choked an off-duty flight attendant shortly after he tried to open an emergency exit door and enter the cockpit, police records show.

 

The passenger, Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, has been charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants and assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction, court records show. He has been appointed a federal public defender and has not yet entered a plea.

 

The incident came as the FAA has received 687 reports of unruly passengers this year.

 

Reyes, 51, became disruptive about 45 minutes after Frontier flight 3345 departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, en route to Chicago-O’Hare International Airport, saying he wanted to get off the plane and trying to open an emergency exit door, according to an arrest affidavit from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and a federal criminal complaint.

 

After he was prevented from opening the door, Reyes approached the cockpit and began “shoving his shoulder aggressively on the pilot’s door,” the documents say.

 

As a flight attendant ushered him away from the door and let him use the restroom on the way back to his seat, Reyes attempted to urinate on the bathroom floor, the affidavit says. He was escorted to a new seat, and an off-duty flight attendant volunteered to sit in his row.

 

The off-duty flight attendant moved his belongings and went to use the restroom, but Reyes tried to grab the man’s bag off the floor, according to the affidavit. When he asked Reyes to stop and moved to a seat across the aisle, Reyes “got on top of the victim” and “grabbed the victim by the head and choked him,” the federal complaint says.

 

Several passengers worked together with on-duty flight attendants to restrain Reyes with flex cuffs, which he broke out of several times, and seatbelt extenders, according to the documents.

 

One of the passengers who helped detain Reyes posted a video of the incident to his social media pages, which also featured photos of him participating in martial arts competitions.

 

The flight was diverted to Miami International Airport and landed around 11:55 p.m. local time Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

 

Reyes was taken into custody by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and turned over to the FBI for questioning, according to the documents.

 

The flight continued to Chicago a few hours later, Frontier Airlines said in a statement.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/02/us/frontier-passenger-chokes-off-duty-flight-attendant-after-trying-to-open-exit-door-and-cockpit-on-chicago-flight-police-say

 

 

Door Ripped Off Boeing 787 Dreamliner at One of the World’s Most Remote Airports Leaving Engineers Flummoxed

 

One of the main cabin doors of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by South American airline LATAM has been ripped clean off the fuselage during a mishap at one of the most remote airports in the world… And now, engineers have to work out how they are going to fix the airplane with only limited tools available.

 

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flew from Santiago de Chile to Mataveri Airport on Easter Island, located 3,759 km off the coast of South America in the South Pacific Ocean, on Friday, May 29, and has been grounded ever since.

 

Mataveri Airport handles just one or two flights per day and has very limited resources. There isn’t a heavy engineering base at the airport, and carrying out repairs of this magnitude is going to prove incredibly challenging.

 

As the airport does not have jetbridges, the plane was parked up on a so-called remote stand, and a set of mobile airstairs was attached to the second main cabin door on the left-hand side of the aircraft.

 

It’s not quite what happened next, but it appears that the aircraft rolled back while the airstairs were still attached. The door was ripped off the frame of the airplane and ended up sitting atop the airstairs.

 

The 12-year-old plane (registration: CC-BBD) has been grounded on Easter Island ever since, while engineers formulate a plan to try to get it fixed.

 

The repair work required will depend on whether any structural damage has been caused to the carbon composite fuselage of the plane, although this isn’t the first time this type of accident has occurred to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and in past incidents, repairs have been fairly straightforward.

 

The issue is more with the limited resources available at Mataveri Airport.

 

There has been speculation that LATAM could try to get the aircraft back to Santiago without a cabin door attached, flying the plane unpressurized at low altitude.

 

Such a plan would require careful coordination with Boeing to ensure that the airplane has the structural strength to withstand a more than five-hour flight over a vast distance of ocean.

 

There is also speculation that a temporary plug could be installed, allowing this ‘ferry’ flight to take place without any structural integrity issues. The final option would be to fly out a replacement door, specialist engineers, and other equipment to carry out the repairs on Easter Island.

 

In any case, it appears that this particular Boeing 787 could be grounded for some time.

 

When an airline has all the necessary equipment at its disposal, however, these types of incidents can be easily remedied. In April, for example, the main cabin door of a China Airlines Airbus A350 was partially ripped off its hinges when it rolled back with the jetbridge still attached at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.

 

The plane was only grounded for six days before positioning back to its home base in Taipei, Taiwan, and then returning to commercial service the following day.

 

In 2023, an American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner was grounded at Dublin International Airport after Door 2L was completely sheared off when the jetbridge unexpectedly dropped while attached to the plane.

 

No passengers or crew were onboard the plane when the accident happened… and thankfully, no ground staff were standing below the plane when the door came crashing down onto the tarmac below.

 

https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2026/06/01/door-ripped-off-boeing-787-dreamliner-at-one-of-the-worlds-most-remote-airports-leaving-engineers-flummoxed/

 

 

GE Aerospace completes ground test of megawatt-class hybrid electric engine system

 

Represents GE Aerospace’s first ground test of a fully integrated hybrid electric powertrain

 

CINCINNATI – GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) announced today it completed testing of a megawatt-class hybrid electric engine system developed through NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, paving the way for flight tests.

 

The ground test was the company’s first to validate the full integrated system, including GE Aerospace-developed motor/generators, power converters and inverters, controllers, Dowty* propellers, Avio Aero* gearboxes, and a CT7 engine. BAE Systems provided the batteries used and Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences supplied the complete nacelle.

 

“Step by step, we’re proving hybrid electric engine technology for next-generation commercial aircraft,” said Arjan Hegeman, vice president for future of flight at GE Aerospace. “This latest ground test of a complete hybrid electric powertrain positions GE Aerospace to have the technologies ready to meet customer needs for greater durability, efficiency and range in future propulsion systems.”

 

Throughout the test campaign at Peebles Test Operation in Ohio, teams simulated various flight phases such as taxi, takeoff, climb and cruise. The electric powertrain helped successfully power the propeller and generated power to the battery. Flightworthy components that meet higher safety and reliability requirements than typical test hardware were used as part of GE Aerospace’s efforts to mature a commercial-grade hybrid electric engine system. 

 

This milestone follows more than a decade of testing and maturing individual components and modules.

 

“The ground test is a major turning point in our understanding of hybrid electric powertrains for aviation and a fundamental building block for the future,” Hegeman said. 

 

A hybrid electric engine system combines an electric powertrain with a traditional gas turbine to optimize power management during different phases of operation. Hybrid electric systems are highly compatible with different fuel types and advanced aircraft engine architectures like Open Fan.

 

RISE program testing

 

GE Aerospace has leveraged several NASA projects to mature technologies for more electric aircraft engines through the CFM International RISE** program. 

 

Unveiled in 2021, the RISE program is one of the aviation industry’s most comprehensive technology demonstrators with more than 350 tests and more than 3,000 endurance cycles completed to date, including tests on Open Fan, compact core, hybrid electric systems and other technologies. The RISE program prioritizes safety, durability and efficiency, targeting more than 20% better fuel burn compared to commercial engines in service today.

 

CFM RISE program technologies are maturing toward ground and flight tests this decade with work underway on aircraft and engine integration in collaboration with partners.

 

Hybrid electric experience

 

GE Aerospace was first awarded the NASA EPFD contract in 2021 to demonstrate flight readiness of hybrid electric technologies for single-aisle aircraft. 

 

Several key milestones have been achieved over the last decade for hybrid electric technology development:

 

2016: an electric motor-driven propeller ground test; 

2022: The world’s first test of a megawatt-class and multi-kilovolt hybrid electric propulsion system in altitude conditions up to 45,000 feet at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed facility that simulated single-aisle commercial flight; and 

2025: Successfully demonstrating a narrowbody hybrid electric configuration with power transfer and injection in a modified high-bypass turbofan engine – no energy storage required – through the NASA HyTEC project.

A strategic partnership and equity investment announced in 2025 with BETA Technologies to accelerate hybrid electric aviation includes plans to co-develop a hybrid electric turbogenerator for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) applications.

 

* Dowty and Avio Aero are GE Aerospace companies.

 

** Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) is a technology demonstration program of CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. It is not a product offered for commercial sale.

 

###

 

ABOUT GE AEROSPACE

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 50,000 commercial and 30,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 57,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow, and the future at www.geaerospace.com.

 

https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/ge-aerospace-completes-ground-test-megawatt-class-hybrid-electric-engine-system

 

 

Indian airlines show interest in up to 200 Russian aircraft

 

Indian airlines have expressed interest in acquiring up to 200 Russian-made Il-114-300 and SJ-100 passenger aircraft, according to Vadim Badekha, chief executive of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

 

Speaking ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026, Badekha said India was the first country to demonstrate significant interest in the latest Russian civil aviation models, News.az reports, citing TASS.

 

"We are talking about demand for between 100 and 200 aircraft," he said, referring to the Il-114-300 regional turboprop and the SJ-100 passenger jet.

 

The aircraft were showcased earlier this year at the Wings India aviation exhibition, where Indian airlines explored potential fleet expansion options to meet growing domestic air travel demand.

 

Badekha noted that UAC had signed an agreement with Indian aerospace company HAL to explore licensed production of the SJ-100 in India. He previously stated that manufacturing of the first Superjet aircraft in India could begin within three years.

 

According to UAC, production of 20 to 40 SJ-100 aircraft annually in India would represent a strong manufacturing pace. The company estimates total demand in India and neighboring markets at between 200 and 300 aircraft.

 

The Russian manufacturer is also considering localizing production of the Il-114-300 in India as part of broader industrial cooperation between the two countries.

 

In addition, UAC has signed a preliminary agreement with Indian private aviation company Flamingo Aerospace for the supply of six Il-114-300 aircraft.

 

The developments highlight growing aviation cooperation between Russia and India as airlines seek new aircraft options to support expanding regional and domestic networks.

 

https://news.az/news/indian-airlines-show-interest-in-up-to-200-russian-aircraft

 

 

World's longest-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR takes to the skies

 

Toulouse, France, 2 June 2026 - The A350-1000ULR (MSN 707), the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas has completed its first flight in Toulouse, France. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for three hours 43 minutes reaching an altitude of slightly above 41,000 feet. The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew.

 

The A350-1000ULR is being developed for Qantas Airways to enable non-stop flights between Sydney and New York and London for the first time ever - a distance of almost 10,000 nautical miles, with flight times of up to 22 hours. This is made possible primarily by the integration into the aircraft structure of an additional rear centre tank (RCT), enhancing further the aircraft performance and increasing the range of the aircraft by 1,000 nautical miles.

 

During the first flight the crew carried out general aircraft performance checks and tested the new fuel system architecture. This marks the start of a two month flight test campaign to certify the modifications. In addition, a new galley air cooling system will also be certified, which features lighter and more efficient refrigeration units for very long flights. The ventilation and temperature control of the cabin will also be thoroughly tested.

 

Following the flight test campaign, MSN 707 will be retrofitted to Qantas’ commercial specifications.

 

The second A350-1000ULR to be produced for Qantas and the first scheduled to be delivered to the airline in April 2027, is now at an advanced stage of final assembly and ready to roll out of the paint shop in the coming days. This will be followed by completion of the premium four class cabin layout and engine installation. 

 

The A350-1000ULR is the fourth passenger variant of the best-selling A350 Family, joining the A350-900, A350-900ULR and the A350-1000. Together, the aircraft have set new standards in long haul air travel, with a step-change reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and new levels of passenger comfort. 

 

The passenger line-up will soon be joined by the all-new A350F freighter, also currently under development at Airbus, with first flight planned later this year.

 

At the end of April 2026, the A350 Family had won 1,579 orders from 68 customers, with over 700 aircraft flying with 41 operators, primarily on long haul services across the globe.

 

Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs under Project Sunrise, designed to overcome one of the last frontiers in non-stop travel from Australia. In addition the carrier also has 12 standard A350-1000s on order for future operation across its long haul network.

 

Note to editors:

 

The aircraft was flown by Experimental Test Pilots Thomas Wilhelm and Anthony Flynn, together with Test Flight Engineer Laurent Rossignol. In addition, Lead Flight Test Engineers Tuan Do and Alexia Plumet were onboard, as well as Ground Test Engineer Vincent Frayssinet.

 

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-06-worlds-longest-range-aircraft-the-airbus-a350-1000ulr-takes-to-the-skies

 

 

Textron Aviation celebrates rollout of 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 aircraft

 

Textron Aviation staff celebrate rollout of 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 series aircraft

Textron Aviation is celebrating the rollout of the 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 series aircraft, a Citation CJ4 Gen2.

 

“This milestone reflects the people behind every aircraft we deliver,” said Brad White, senior vice president, manufacturing. “Our employees bring exceptional craftsmanship, care and consistency to the production line each day. Their dedication to building the future of flight is what makes achievements like this 500th CJ4 possible and what continues to earn the trust of our customers.”

 

The rollout was celebrated with employees from across the Citation CJ4 production line, recognising the team whose skill, precision and pride in their work are essential to every aircraft delivered.

 

“For more than a decade, customers around the world have chosen the CJ4 for its combination of performance, ease of operation and confidence in the cockpit,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, sales and marketing. “Reaching 500 aircraft built demonstrates the strength of this platform and reinforces our continued investment in the light jet market as we prepare to bring the CJ4 Gen3 to customers.”

 

Since its introduction in 2010, the Citation CJ4 series has built a strong reputation amongst owner-operators and fleet customers, supporting a wide range of business and special mission profiles. The aircraft’s reliability, productivity and single-pilot capability have made it a trusted business tool across global markets.

 

Building on that foundation, the Citation CJ4 Gen3, which expected to receive certification from the Federal Aviation Administration this year, introduces advanced technologies designed to elevate the pilot experience and enhance peace of mind, including Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics and Garmin Emergency Autoland. Textron says that the aircraft offers a luxurious experience for owners and operators, bringing a new level of expectations to the light jet with the most standard features in its class. These updates reflect customer feedback and lessons learned from nearly 500 aircraft delivered, further advancing the CJ4 platform for the future.

 

https://www.businessjetinteriorsinternational.com/news/orders-deliveries/textron-aviation-celebrates-rollout-of-500th-cessna-citation-cj4-aircraft.html

 

 

Enough excuses: The FAA must act now to prevent another midair tragedy

 

by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), opinion contributor - 06/02/26 10:30 AM ET

 

Sixty-seven people lost their lives over the Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025, when a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter collided with American Airlines flight 5342. It was a horrifying tragedy — and because it was entirely preventable, it was not just a tragedy, but a travesty.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board final report on the incident left no room for interpretation: The Federal Aviation Administration’s failure to act on prior safety recommendations had led to this catastrophe.

 

Now, more than one year after that deadly collision, one question remains: What has the FAA done to ensure a crash like this never occurs again?

 

Administrator Bryan Bedford came to Capitol Hill recently, eager to claim progress. But during the hearing, he was unable to commit to implementing the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation. This is both disconcerting and disgraceful.

 

The year‑long National Transportation Safety Board investigation resulted in 50 recommendations, including more than 30 directed squarely at the FAA. These are not suggestions but urgent warnings — fixes that experts know could prevent another catastrophe.

 

The public cannot accept piecemeal action. We cannot accept partial progress. We cannot accept an FAA that procrastinates until tragedy strikes again. The FAA already has the authority — and the responsibility — to implement every National Transportation Safety Board recommendation. Administrator Bedford must act.

 

Many of the National Transportation Safety Board’s findings from the Reagan National Airport midair collision point to issues that have been widely known for years: the air traffic controller shortage, the need for advanced safety alerting technology on aircraft and the unacceptable lack of coordinated communication between the FAA and Department of Defense.

 

I have repeatedly raised these concerns. Almost three years ago, in a November 2023 hearing on near-misses, I warned: “Our nation is experiencing an aviation safety crisis. Near misses are happening way too frequently, and I refuse to be complacent in waiting to act until the next runway incursion becomes a fatal collision.”

 

In the years since, as a leader of the Aviation Safety Subcommittee, I championed measures that make our skies safer. In negotiations on the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, I successfully increased aviation workforce development funding by six-fold each year. I also defended the 1,500-hour rule to help ensure that pilots have high levels of training and are prepared in the case of life-threatening emergencies, a standard that stemmed from the 2009 Colgan Air flight 3407 outside of Buffalo which killed all 49 people onboard and one person on the ground.

 

Despite these efforts, the strain on our aviation system was too much. Heartbreakingly, on that cold January evening, the next fatal collision came.

 

There is a saying about aviation regulations: They are written in blood. When deadly accidents happen, we investigate and adjust our regulations to help ensure whatever went wrong never happens again. As ranking member of the Aviation Safety Subcommittee and as an aviator, I can say with confidence: It should not have taken a tragic accident to tell us that action was needed. The alarm bells were ringing, and the urgent message — devastatingly for the dozens of families who lost loved ones — went unanswered.

 

The next step is clear: Administrator Bedford must commit to implementing all the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations with fidelity.

 

We owe it to the victims. We owe it to every pilot, every controller, every military crew member and every passenger who boards an aircraft expecting the FAA to keep our airspace safe.

 

The FAA does not need more time. It needs resolve. It needs leadership. And it needs the courage to prioritize saving lives over saving face.

 

Sixty-seven people died because the FAA failed to act when it had the chance. The agency cannot undo that tragedy, but it can, at long last, do its part to prevent the next one.

 

And it must.

 

Tammy Duckworth (D) is the junior U.S. senator from Illinois and is the ranking member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Safety.

 

https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5904455-faa-fails-to-act/

 

 

Graduate Research Request - A

 

Dear Pilots,

 

​My name is Giada Palusci, and I am a Master’s student in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy.

 

​As part of my thesis, I am conducting research on Fatigue Risk Management, with a particular focus on the relationship between sleep, jet lag, and work rosters among commercial pilots.

 

​Aviation safety depends heavily on the human element, and direct insights from flight crews are essential to better understand current operational challenges.

 

​If you are a commercial pilot, I would be extremely grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete this short, anonymous, and confidential survey.

 

​Survey Link: https://qualtricsxmbhmnrhr9l.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esP9sU63Y7tM9LM

 

​Upon completion of the study, I will be happy to share the final results with Dr. Lewis and the broader aviation community.

 

​Thank you very much for your time and for your continued commitment to advancing aviation safety.

 

​Kind regards,

 

Giada Palusci

 

 

Graduate Research Request - B

 

My name is Michail Karyotakis, Lt. Col. (P) HAF, Part-time PhD Student in Aerospace, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at the Cranfield University in the UK. 

Currently, I am working on the final stage of my Research project, which is focused on developing a Flexible and Dynamic Safety Management Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations.

 

I kindly invite you to participate in this survey validating or arguing against the findings of the respective research. Findings are illustrated in the form of questions. Everyone’s level and kind of experience is considered useful not to mention those with aviation and/or piloting background.

 

By sharing your perspectives, you will contribute to developing effective and sustainable mechanism of safety risk management for Unmanned Aircraft Operations in the current aviation environment.

Specifically, this Research is focused on:

 • Reviewing the existing Safety Management approaches for the UAS operations that are in the scope of the Research.

 • Introduce, test and validate the concept of Total System Safety Performance for UAS operations in the scope of this research.

 • Assessing Safety risks related to the operations of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Package Delivery.

 • Assessing the impact of Human Factors, Terrain management and different flight phases in UAS operations.

 • How could the current safety management framework for UAS operations be updated and streamlined according to the specific needs of every operator and the specificities of every UAS operation.

 

Your participation in this survey is entirely voluntary, and it is estimated to take approximately 15 to 20 minutes of your time. 

This survey is undertaken as part of my research thesis submission and is not affiliated with any airline, training organisation, or any other. 

Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous (if desired by the participants, personal info may be shared). 

The survey will take about 15 minutes to be completed.

 

Thank you in advance for your time and patience.

Your participation is highly appreciated.

  

Please click the link below to enter the survey:

 

https://cranfielduniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3fvlBSGnO7TxeJ0

 

Student email: [email protected]

 

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

.2026 FAA-EASA International Aviation Safety Conference — June 16-18, 2026, in Chantilly, Virginia, with the theme “Safety Together: Innovation, Integration and Trust.”

https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/newsroom-and-events/events/2026-faa-easa-international-aviation-safety-conference

 

. Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course

7 to 9 July 2026; Woburn MA 01801 USA

 

: APSCON/APSCON Unmanned 2026 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL - July 13-17, 2026

 

. ICAO/EASA Third Global RSOO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety — September 29–30, 2026, in Georgetown, Guyana., https://www.icao.int/events

 

: Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 22-23 September 2026

 

. IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain)

 

. ISASI - BOSTON 2026 - September 28, 2026 – October 2, 2026

 

2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)

Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV

 

. 2027 ACSF Safety Symposium - April 6-8, 2027 - ERAU Daytona Beach, FL

 

 

TODAY'S PHOTO

 

 

C-17

Public Domain

 

 

Curt Lewis & Associates, LLC | [email protected] | 817-845-3983 |

www.curt-lewis.com

LinkedIn



Dr. Curt Lewis, PhD, CSP, FRAeS

 

Newsletter Signup: www.fsinfo.org