Skip to content

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

WhatsApp Channel

Search

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Search

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

News

Civil Aviation

Pilot Training

Flight School Analysis

Aviation Jobs

Training

Services

About Us

Contact Us

Search

Just In

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045
AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe
Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract
Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia
IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency
Air China Boeing 747-8 Damaged By Refuelling Truck At JFK, Beijing Flight Cancelled
Airlink Formation Flypast Prompts Safety Review After Jets Pass 41 Feet Above Stadium
Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four After Cessna 180 Crash On Montague Island
Delta Boeing 757 Returns To Minneapolis After First Officer Suffers Medical Emergency
Cessna 560XL Carrying Medical Team Runs Off Runway At Porterville Airport, All Six Safe

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

Latest Breaking News & Developments

Latest Breaking News & Developments

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

Investigation

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Aerospace

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Aircraft Crashes

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

Incidents

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

Posted onSeptember 3, 2026September 3, 2026

Read More Stories

Read More Stories

Aviation Today Exclusive

Inside Aviation

Tecnam Presents Modern Trainers for Modern Pilots | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

3:51

Boeing’s Wisk Aero Presents Fully Autonomous Gen 6 eVTOL Aircraft | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

3:10

High Concentration, Zero Error: Responsibility of Air Traffic Control | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

5:32

TAV1000i – Design & Built in India Simulator for Precision in Ab-Initio Pilot Training

3:42

Smiths Detection’s Next-Generation CT Baggage Screening Technology | Wings India 2026

4:05

From Solar Champion to Charter Gateway Pioneer: CIAL’s Evolution | Wings India 2026

4:06

Sakthi Aviation & Defence Systems Introduces L410NG to Boost India's Remote Connectivity

3:46

DAU School Of Law Unveils Aviation Law Vertical For India’s Aviation Sector | Wings India 2026

5:37

A Clear Path to Becoming a Pilot: United 7 Aero’s Global Training Model | Wings India 2026

5:44

Raghu Vamsi's Arrobot Presents Next-Generation Aerial & Ground Robotics | Wings India 2026

5:23

Made In India Diamond DA40 NG: Combining Technology & Efficiency for Flight Training

6:03

TiHAN Highlights Autonomous Shuttles, Cargo Drones & Smart Mobility

5:38

Gandhi Automations Showcasing Advanced Hangar Door Technologies for Aviation Infrastructure

5:20

Aviacom on High-Fidelity Flight Simulator Technology | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

2:56

EgyptAir Training Academy Highlights B737 MAX Type Rating & Training Programs | Wings India 2026

7:19

Aksi Aerospace Group Showcases Indigenous Drone Manufacturing Ecosystem | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

2:06

Aviation Today Perspectives

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility - Part 6

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility – Part 6

Read More

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility - Part 5

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility – Part 5

Read More

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility - PART 4

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility – Part 4

Read More

Aviation Today Perspectives

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility - Part 6

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility – Part 6

Read More

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility - Part 5

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility – Part 5

Read More

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility - PART 4

From Demonstrations to Networks: The Real Test of Advanced Air Mobility – Part 4

Read More

Read More Perspectives

Aircraft Crashes

Airlines

Incidents

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Alaska, United States: Four people were rescued after a Cessna 180 crashed and overturned on a coastal sandbar on Alaska’s Montague Island on August 30, 2026 with Alaska Air National Guard personnel responding to the remote site and transporting all four occupants to a hospital in Anchorage. The crash occurred on a coastal sandbar on Montague Island, about 60 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska, according to the Alaska National Guard. The aircraft was identified as a Cessna 180 carrying four people. The official report did not release the occupants’ names, the aircraft’s registration, the exact flight route or a specific cause of the crash. The rescue operation began after the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson received a signal from the aircraft’s 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The ELT was registered to the owner of the Cessna 180, allowing authorities to identify the aircraft associated with the emergency signal. The people involved in the incident also had a consumer-grade two-way satellite communication device. According to the Alaska National Guard, the device helped maintain the flow of information with the AKRCC and assisted rescuers in obtaining a more precise location of the crash site. Following the alert, the AKRCC requested assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing search-and-rescue duty officer. A HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron was dispatched with pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron, commonly known as PJs, aboard. When the rescue team reached the crash site, the Cessna had overturned. Despite its position, the aircraft appeared to be seemingly undamaged, and the four occupants had managed to get themselves out before the pararescuemen reached them. The rescue operation required additional caution because the aircraft had come down on a coastal sandbar. Flying sand and beach debris posed a hazard to the helicopter, so the HH-60W crew landed at a safe distance from the crash site rather than directly next to the occupants. The pararescuemen then made contact with the four people and assessed their condition. One occupant had suffered a back injury. The PJs stabilized the injured person using a vacuum splint and cervical collar before securing the occupant in a Stokes litter for helicopter transportation. The HH-60W crew subsequently flew the injured occupant and the other three people to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. They were handed over to civilian medical personnel at the hospital. The Alaska National Guard said the incident also demonstrated the importance of reliable emergency-location and communication equipment during aircraft emergencies in remote areas. AKRCC officials urged aircraft owners to keep their 406 MHz ELT registrations current and encouraged pilots to carry an additional satellite communication device to help speed up rescue operations. The Alaska National Guard reported that all four occupants were rescued from the crash site and transported for medical care. The agency did not provide further information on the occupants’ identities or disclose what caused the Cessna 180 to crash.

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four After Cessna 180 Crash On Montague Island

Cessna 560XL Carrying Medical Team Runs Off Runway At Porterville Airport, All Six Safe

Cessna 560XL Carrying Medical Team Runs Off Runway At Porterville Airport, All Six Safe

Parkdale, United States: Two people were killed after a small plane crashed near Parkdale in Oregon’s Hood River County on Monday, August 31, 2026 with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set to investigate the accident. The crash was reported at about 11:31 a.m. local time after the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible aircraft accident near Old Parkdale Road. As additional callers reported different possible locations in the upper Hood River Valley, deputies began searching the area. The sheriff’s office aircraft and personnel from the Parkdale Fire Department also assisted in the search. At approximately 12:32 p.m., authorities located the wreckage on private property near an orchard along Trout Creek Ridge Road. The two people aboard the aircraft were found dead at the scene. The victims were identified as James Crain and Scott Perry, both residents of Hood River. The aircraft was identified by the NTSB as a Mooney M20C, a small, four-seat, single-engine aircraft. The available reports do not provide a confirmed account of what happened immediately before the aircraft went down. There has been no official finding indicating whether the crash was caused by a mechanical problem, weather, pilot action or another factor. The NTSB investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the accident and determine its probable cause. Following the discovery of the wreckage, the aircraft was secured at the scene pending the arrival of investigators from the FAA and NTSB. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said additional information would be released as it becomes available. The initial response involved Hood River County sheriff’s deputies, the sheriff’s office aircraft and Parkdale Fire Department personnel, who searched the upper Hood River Valley after receiving reports of the crash. The search ultimately led authorities to the wreckage near the orchard along Trout Creek Ridge Road. The NTSB subsequently confirmed that it was investigating the crash involving the Mooney M20C. Federal investigators are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, available flight information and other evidence as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. No information reviewed so far indicates that the aircraft was operated by a commercial airline or charter company. The available reports describe it as a small single-engine aircraft. The investigation remains ongoing, and the cause of the fatal crash has not been determined.

Two Killed As Mooney M20C Aircraft Crashes Near Parkdale In Oregon’s Hood River County

New York, United States: Two people were killed after a small aircraft crashed in the Town of Enfield, west of Ithaca, New York, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with the pilot dying at the scene and the second occupant later succumbing to injuries at a hospital. The aircraft was identified as a 1977 Lake LA-4-200, registration N6185V. The Federal Aviation Administration’s aircraft registry lists the aircraft as a single-engine Lake LA-4-200, serial number 838, registered to Big Bang Airlines LLC of Ithaca, New York. The aircraft was manufactured in 1977 and is powered by a Lycoming reciprocating engine. FAA records list the aircraft’s airworthiness date as June 10, 1977. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office identified the pilot as David Kornreich, 52, who was described by authorities as the aircraft’s owner and a registered pilot. Kornreich was pronounced dead at the crash site. The passenger, Andrew R. Harrell, 31, was critically injured and transported to Cayuga Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. According to investigators, the aircraft had been cleared for takeoff from Ithaca Tompkins International Airport at approximately 11:24 a.m. Its last reported contact with the airport tower came at about 12:02 p.m. The circumstances of the flight between the final tower communication and the crash have not yet been publicly established. A witness contacted authorities at approximately 12:35 p.m. to report that the aircraft had crashed in the 100 block of North Applegate Road. The witness also told authorities that the aircraft appeared to be experiencing a mechanical problem before it went down. However, officials have not determined whether a mechanical failure caused the crash, and the suspected problem has not been publicly identified. Authorities have also not publicly confirmed the aircraft’s intended destination or a complete route for the fatal flight. Available flight-tracking records identify N6185V as a private-owner aircraft and show previous flights involving Ithaca, but those records do not establish the destination of the August 30 flight. The crash did not involve any other people or structures, according to the Sheriff’s Office. No roads were closed as a result of the incident. Multiple emergency agencies responded to the crash scene, including the New York State Police, New York State Park Police, Enfield Fire & Rescue, Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Airport Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department. The first reports initially indicated one fatality and one critical injury. Authorities later confirmed Harrell’s death, bringing the total number of fatalities to two. Sheriff Derek Osborne described the incident as a tragedy, saying, “This is a terrible and tragic situation. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of the victims.” The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Investigators will determine what happened during the aircraft’s final flight and whether the reported mechanical problem played any role in the accident. As of August 31, the official cause remains undetermined.

Two Killed After Small Aircraft Crashes In Enfield, New York; Investigation Underway

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya’s aviation workers have called off their two-day strike after signing a return-to-work agreement with the government, Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet. Workers have been directed to resume normal duties immediately and help restore flight operations. The strike, which began on Sunday, August 30, 2026 and continued through Monday, August 31, 2026 was largely driven by air traffic controllers and disrupted flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, with effects also reported at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport and Eldoret International Airport. The disruption also spilled over into regional operations, with airlines serving Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Mauritius cancelling or rescheduling flights. The workers’ grievances included the lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with KCAA, delayed salary reviews, a dispute over union agency fees held by KAA and allegations of victimisation of KAWU members at Jambojet. Passengers at JKIA reported hours-long delays and cancellations, while Kenya Airways warned travellers of disruptions to its schedules. Transport Minister Davis Chirchir said the agreement provides a framework to address three CBAs that have been suspended since 2015. “We have looked at various issues ... with very clear guidelines ... on how we are going to deal with the three CBAs,” Chirchir said. KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema confirmed the strike was being withdrawn and called on employees to restore services. “We are simply calling off our strike action and pleading with our members to begin the process of normalising operations, restoring services,” Ndiema said. He also urged workers on duty to begin clearing flights. Under the return-to-work agreement, KAWU and KCAA will resume CBA negotiations, while the KAA agency-fee issue and the union’s recognition dispute with Jambojet will continue through the agreed processes. The agreement also provides protection against victimisation of workers who took part in the industrial action. The Kenyan government had earlier apologised to affected passengers as talks continued. With the strike now called off, airlines and airports are expected to work through the backlog and restore normal schedules.

Kenya Aviation Workers End 2-Day Strike After Disrupting Flights At Major Airports

Kenya Aviation Workers Resume Strike, Causing Delays And Cancellations At Nairobi’s JKIA

Kenya Aviation Workers Resume Strike, Causing Delays And Cancellations At Nairobi’s JKIA

Embraer’s Phenom 300EV Becomes First Light Jet With Garmin Emergency Autoland System

Embraer’s Phenom 300EV Becomes First Light Jet With Garmin Emergency Autoland System

South Africa’s Jet Fuel Supply Comes Under Pressure As Natref Disruption Hits O.R. Tambo

South Africa’s Jet Fuel Supply Comes Under Pressure As Natref Disruption Hits O.R. Tambo

Air New Zealand Reports $336M Loss As Fuel Costs And Engine Problems Hit Results

Air New Zealand Reports $336M Loss As Fuel Costs And Engine Problems Hit Results

IndiGo Airlines, 6E1302, IndiGo 6E1302, Doha Bengaluru Flight, Doha Bengaluru, Muscat Diversion, Muscat International Airport, Hamad International Airport, Bengaluru Airport, Pilot Illness, Pilot Medical Issue, Crew

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

Air China Boeing 747-8 Damaged By Refuelling Truck At JFK, Beijing Flight Cancelled

Air China Boeing 747-8 Damaged By Refuelling Truck At JFK, Beijing Flight Cancelled

Airlink Formation Flypast Prompts Safety Review After Jets Pass 41 Feet Above Stadium SEO DES: Airlink said the flypast was planned and approved by SACAA, while the regulator is reviewing whether it complied with approved safety parameters SOCIAL: Two Airlink Embraer jets flew over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on August 29, 2026, just before the Springboks-All Blacks Test. Flightradar24 estimated the lead aircraft passed only 41–46 feet above the stadium roof, raising safety concerns. Airlink said the flypast was carefully planned, rehearsed and approved by SACAA, with no passengers aboard and no reported injuries or aircraft damage. SACAA obtained the aircraft’s flight-data recordings and began reviewing whether the operation complied with approved safety parameters. SACAA has yet to issue its final findings. Meanwhile, Airlink withdrew its planned September 5 flypast at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, citing unfavourable weather, amid continuing scrutiny of the Cape Town operation. Cape Town, South Africa: Two Airlink Embraer jets flew as close as an estimated 41-46 feet (12.5-14 metres) above the roof of Cape Town’s DHL Stadium during a pre-match formation flypast on August 29, 2026, prompting a South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) compliance review after footage of the manoeuvre went viral. The flypast took place shortly before the second Test between the Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks in the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. About 56,000 spectators were in the stadium as the two aircraft passed overhead before South Africa went on to defeat New Zealand 33-26. The aircraft involved were an Embraer E195, registration ZS-YDE, flying in a black All Blacks-themed livery, and an Embraer E190, registration ZS-YAE, carrying a green Springboks-themed livery. The E195 was the lead aircraft and was the one that came closest to the stadium roof based on flight-tracking calculations. Neither aircraft carried passengers. Airlink said each jet was operated by three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer, with the crews having more than 75,000 combined flight hours. The aircraft flew at about 150 knots during the low-level formation pass. Airlink said the manoeuvre had been extensively planned and rehearsed and was conducted with guidance, approval and support from SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 later analysed ADS-B data from the operation. It recorded a lowest raw altitude of 50 feet at standard pressure. After correction for Cape Town’s local pressure setting of 1019 hPa, the aircraft were estimated to have been at about 205-210 feet above mean sea level. With DHL Stadium standing approximately 164 feet high, the estimated clearance above the roof was therefore about 41-46 feet. The low clearance became particularly striking in videos recorded from inside and around the stadium. The trailing aircraft was also seen passing through a cloud of pink dust or smoke generated by the pre-match pyrotechnic display. There has been no confirmed report of either aircraft striking the stadium, pyrotechnics or any other object, and no injuries or aircraft damage have been reported. Airlink defended the operation after the footage triggered criticism online. In its August 30, 2026 statement, the airline said the flight required “careful planning and rehearsal” because it involved low-altitude navigation at around 150 knots. It said SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services had provided guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby. The airline also said flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed that the operation was conducted within the altitude and speed limits approved and rehearsed with SACAA. The regulator subsequently began a compliance review. SACAA said Airlink had submitted three applications for flypasts linked to the rugby matches, with the first operation taking place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 22, 2026 and the second at DHL Stadium on August 29, 2026. According to SACAA, the Cape Town operation had been formally approved under the regulatory provisions governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights under Part 91.06.32. The operator had also submitted supporting documentation, completed a simulator practice flight and conducted a safety briefing before the operation. The authority said the flypast was approved in accordance with the requirements for Special Air Events. However, after media and public discussion over the unusually low flight path, SACAA initiated compliance verification, engaged Airlink and obtained the aircraft’s Flight Data Recording downloads. SACAA said it is now analysing the data and has requested additional information from Airlink before reaching an informed position. The authority said a full report containing recommendations will be issued once the assessment is completed. “It is therefore critical that we interrogate this past weekend’s events to determine if there were any safety concerns which warrant a review,” SACAA said. The regulator also emphasised South Africa’s commercial aviation safety record, saying the country had maintained a zero fatal-accident record in commercial airline operations for more than four decades. SACAA said that record was one it intended to preserve as it continued to strengthen aviation safety standards. Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht later said the airline recognised the public interest generated by the flypast and the questions that followed, adding: “We never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.” Chris Martinus, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association South Africa, said the lead aircraft appeared to be manoeuvring over the stadium with very little room for error. He said that if something adverse occurred at such an altitude, the pilots would have few options. Australian aviation consultant and former military and commercial pilot Keith Tonkin also warned that turbulence or a bird strike could leave a jet with insufficient room to manoeuvre safely at that height. He said the broader concern was the precedent created by an operation that other operators might seek to replicate. The flypast was part of a long-standing South African rugby tradition. The practice gained particular prominence during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 flew over Ellis Park before the Springboks faced the All Blacks. Airlink had planned to continue the tradition at the next Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on September 5, 2026. However, the airline notified SACAA on September 1, 2026 that it was withdrawing its application for the third flypast. Airlink said unfavourable weather conditions meant the planned formation flight could not be safely conducted. SACAA confirmed the withdrawal but has not yet released a final finding on the Cape Town operation. The authority’s review will determine whether the two aircraft complied fully with the approved flight parameters and whether any additional safety measures or recommendations are required.

Airlink Formation Flypast Prompts Safety Review After Jets Pass 41 Feet Above Stadium

Delta Boeing 757 Returns To Minneapolis After First Officer Suffers Medical Emergency

Delta Boeing 757 Returns To Minneapolis After First Officer Suffers Medical Emergency

Former British Airways Cabin Crew Lead Convicted Of Sexual Assault On Colleague

Former British Airways Cabin Crew Lead Convicted Of Sexual Assault On Colleague

Aircraft Crashes

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Alaska, United States: Four people were rescued after a Cessna 180 crashed and overturned on a coastal sandbar on Alaska’s Montague Island on August 30, 2026 with Alaska Air National Guard personnel responding to the remote site and transporting all four occupants to a hospital in Anchorage. The crash occurred on a coastal sandbar on Montague Island, about 60 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska, according to the Alaska National Guard. The aircraft was identified as a Cessna 180 carrying four people. The official report did not release the occupants’ names, the aircraft’s registration, the exact flight route or a specific cause of the crash. The rescue operation began after the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson received a signal from the aircraft’s 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The ELT was registered to the owner of the Cessna 180, allowing authorities to identify the aircraft associated with the emergency signal. The people involved in the incident also had a consumer-grade two-way satellite communication device. According to the Alaska National Guard, the device helped maintain the flow of information with the AKRCC and assisted rescuers in obtaining a more precise location of the crash site. Following the alert, the AKRCC requested assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing search-and-rescue duty officer. A HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron was dispatched with pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron, commonly known as PJs, aboard. When the rescue team reached the crash site, the Cessna had overturned. Despite its position, the aircraft appeared to be seemingly undamaged, and the four occupants had managed to get themselves out before the pararescuemen reached them. The rescue operation required additional caution because the aircraft had come down on a coastal sandbar. Flying sand and beach debris posed a hazard to the helicopter, so the HH-60W crew landed at a safe distance from the crash site rather than directly next to the occupants. The pararescuemen then made contact with the four people and assessed their condition. One occupant had suffered a back injury. The PJs stabilized the injured person using a vacuum splint and cervical collar before securing the occupant in a Stokes litter for helicopter transportation. The HH-60W crew subsequently flew the injured occupant and the other three people to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. They were handed over to civilian medical personnel at the hospital. The Alaska National Guard said the incident also demonstrated the importance of reliable emergency-location and communication equipment during aircraft emergencies in remote areas. AKRCC officials urged aircraft owners to keep their 406 MHz ELT registrations current and encouraged pilots to carry an additional satellite communication device to help speed up rescue operations. The Alaska National Guard reported that all four occupants were rescued from the crash site and transported for medical care. The agency did not provide further information on the occupants’ identities or disclose what caused the Cessna 180 to crash.

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Four After Cessna 180 Crash On Montague Island

Cessna 560XL Carrying Medical Team Runs Off Runway At Porterville Airport, All Six Safe

Cessna 560XL Carrying Medical Team Runs Off Runway At Porterville Airport, All Six Safe

Parkdale, United States: Two people were killed after a small plane crashed near Parkdale in Oregon’s Hood River County on Monday, August 31, 2026 with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set to investigate the accident. The crash was reported at about 11:31 a.m. local time after the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible aircraft accident near Old Parkdale Road. As additional callers reported different possible locations in the upper Hood River Valley, deputies began searching the area. The sheriff’s office aircraft and personnel from the Parkdale Fire Department also assisted in the search. At approximately 12:32 p.m., authorities located the wreckage on private property near an orchard along Trout Creek Ridge Road. The two people aboard the aircraft were found dead at the scene. The victims were identified as James Crain and Scott Perry, both residents of Hood River. The aircraft was identified by the NTSB as a Mooney M20C, a small, four-seat, single-engine aircraft. The available reports do not provide a confirmed account of what happened immediately before the aircraft went down. There has been no official finding indicating whether the crash was caused by a mechanical problem, weather, pilot action or another factor. The NTSB investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the accident and determine its probable cause. Following the discovery of the wreckage, the aircraft was secured at the scene pending the arrival of investigators from the FAA and NTSB. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said additional information would be released as it becomes available. The initial response involved Hood River County sheriff’s deputies, the sheriff’s office aircraft and Parkdale Fire Department personnel, who searched the upper Hood River Valley after receiving reports of the crash. The search ultimately led authorities to the wreckage near the orchard along Trout Creek Ridge Road. The NTSB subsequently confirmed that it was investigating the crash involving the Mooney M20C. Federal investigators are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, available flight information and other evidence as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. No information reviewed so far indicates that the aircraft was operated by a commercial airline or charter company. The available reports describe it as a small single-engine aircraft. The investigation remains ongoing, and the cause of the fatal crash has not been determined.

Two Killed As Mooney M20C Aircraft Crashes Near Parkdale In Oregon’s Hood River County

New York, United States: Two people were killed after a small aircraft crashed in the Town of Enfield, west of Ithaca, New York, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with the pilot dying at the scene and the second occupant later succumbing to injuries at a hospital. The aircraft was identified as a 1977 Lake LA-4-200, registration N6185V. The Federal Aviation Administration’s aircraft registry lists the aircraft as a single-engine Lake LA-4-200, serial number 838, registered to Big Bang Airlines LLC of Ithaca, New York. The aircraft was manufactured in 1977 and is powered by a Lycoming reciprocating engine. FAA records list the aircraft’s airworthiness date as June 10, 1977. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office identified the pilot as David Kornreich, 52, who was described by authorities as the aircraft’s owner and a registered pilot. Kornreich was pronounced dead at the crash site. The passenger, Andrew R. Harrell, 31, was critically injured and transported to Cayuga Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. According to investigators, the aircraft had been cleared for takeoff from Ithaca Tompkins International Airport at approximately 11:24 a.m. Its last reported contact with the airport tower came at about 12:02 p.m. The circumstances of the flight between the final tower communication and the crash have not yet been publicly established. A witness contacted authorities at approximately 12:35 p.m. to report that the aircraft had crashed in the 100 block of North Applegate Road. The witness also told authorities that the aircraft appeared to be experiencing a mechanical problem before it went down. However, officials have not determined whether a mechanical failure caused the crash, and the suspected problem has not been publicly identified. Authorities have also not publicly confirmed the aircraft’s intended destination or a complete route for the fatal flight. Available flight-tracking records identify N6185V as a private-owner aircraft and show previous flights involving Ithaca, but those records do not establish the destination of the August 30 flight. The crash did not involve any other people or structures, according to the Sheriff’s Office. No roads were closed as a result of the incident. Multiple emergency agencies responded to the crash scene, including the New York State Police, New York State Park Police, Enfield Fire & Rescue, Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Airport Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department. The first reports initially indicated one fatality and one critical injury. Authorities later confirmed Harrell’s death, bringing the total number of fatalities to two. Sheriff Derek Osborne described the incident as a tragedy, saying, “This is a terrible and tragic situation. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of the victims.” The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Investigators will determine what happened during the aircraft’s final flight and whether the reported mechanical problem played any role in the accident. As of August 31, the official cause remains undetermined.

Two Killed After Small Aircraft Crashes In Enfield, New York; Investigation Underway

Airlines

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya’s aviation workers have called off their two-day strike after signing a return-to-work agreement with the government, Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet. Workers have been directed to resume normal duties immediately and help restore flight operations. The strike, which began on Sunday, August 30, 2026 and continued through Monday, August 31, 2026 was largely driven by air traffic controllers and disrupted flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, with effects also reported at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport and Eldoret International Airport. The disruption also spilled over into regional operations, with airlines serving Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Mauritius cancelling or rescheduling flights. The workers’ grievances included the lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with KCAA, delayed salary reviews, a dispute over union agency fees held by KAA and allegations of victimisation of KAWU members at Jambojet. Passengers at JKIA reported hours-long delays and cancellations, while Kenya Airways warned travellers of disruptions to its schedules. Transport Minister Davis Chirchir said the agreement provides a framework to address three CBAs that have been suspended since 2015. “We have looked at various issues ... with very clear guidelines ... on how we are going to deal with the three CBAs,” Chirchir said. KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema confirmed the strike was being withdrawn and called on employees to restore services. “We are simply calling off our strike action and pleading with our members to begin the process of normalising operations, restoring services,” Ndiema said. He also urged workers on duty to begin clearing flights. Under the return-to-work agreement, KAWU and KCAA will resume CBA negotiations, while the KAA agency-fee issue and the union’s recognition dispute with Jambojet will continue through the agreed processes. The agreement also provides protection against victimisation of workers who took part in the industrial action. The Kenyan government had earlier apologised to affected passengers as talks continued. With the strike now called off, airlines and airports are expected to work through the backlog and restore normal schedules.

Kenya Aviation Workers End 2-Day Strike After Disrupting Flights At Major Airports

Kenya Aviation Workers Resume Strike, Causing Delays And Cancellations At Nairobi’s JKIA

Kenya Aviation Workers Resume Strike, Causing Delays And Cancellations At Nairobi’s JKIA

Embraer’s Phenom 300EV Becomes First Light Jet With Garmin Emergency Autoland System

Embraer’s Phenom 300EV Becomes First Light Jet With Garmin Emergency Autoland System

South Africa’s Jet Fuel Supply Comes Under Pressure As Natref Disruption Hits O.R. Tambo

South Africa’s Jet Fuel Supply Comes Under Pressure As Natref Disruption Hits O.R. Tambo

Air New Zealand Reports $336M Loss As Fuel Costs And Engine Problems Hit Results

Air New Zealand Reports $336M Loss As Fuel Costs And Engine Problems Hit Results

Incidents

IndiGo Airlines, 6E1302, IndiGo 6E1302, Doha Bengaluru Flight, Doha Bengaluru, Muscat Diversion, Muscat International Airport, Hamad International Airport, Bengaluru Airport, Pilot Illness, Pilot Medical Issue, Crew

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

Air China Boeing 747-8 Damaged By Refuelling Truck At JFK, Beijing Flight Cancelled

Air China Boeing 747-8 Damaged By Refuelling Truck At JFK, Beijing Flight Cancelled

Airlink Formation Flypast Prompts Safety Review After Jets Pass 41 Feet Above Stadium SEO DES: Airlink said the flypast was planned and approved by SACAA, while the regulator is reviewing whether it complied with approved safety parameters SOCIAL: Two Airlink Embraer jets flew over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on August 29, 2026, just before the Springboks-All Blacks Test. Flightradar24 estimated the lead aircraft passed only 41–46 feet above the stadium roof, raising safety concerns. Airlink said the flypast was carefully planned, rehearsed and approved by SACAA, with no passengers aboard and no reported injuries or aircraft damage. SACAA obtained the aircraft’s flight-data recordings and began reviewing whether the operation complied with approved safety parameters. SACAA has yet to issue its final findings. Meanwhile, Airlink withdrew its planned September 5 flypast at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, citing unfavourable weather, amid continuing scrutiny of the Cape Town operation. Cape Town, South Africa: Two Airlink Embraer jets flew as close as an estimated 41-46 feet (12.5-14 metres) above the roof of Cape Town’s DHL Stadium during a pre-match formation flypast on August 29, 2026, prompting a South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) compliance review after footage of the manoeuvre went viral. The flypast took place shortly before the second Test between the Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks in the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. About 56,000 spectators were in the stadium as the two aircraft passed overhead before South Africa went on to defeat New Zealand 33-26. The aircraft involved were an Embraer E195, registration ZS-YDE, flying in a black All Blacks-themed livery, and an Embraer E190, registration ZS-YAE, carrying a green Springboks-themed livery. The E195 was the lead aircraft and was the one that came closest to the stadium roof based on flight-tracking calculations. Neither aircraft carried passengers. Airlink said each jet was operated by three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer, with the crews having more than 75,000 combined flight hours. The aircraft flew at about 150 knots during the low-level formation pass. Airlink said the manoeuvre had been extensively planned and rehearsed and was conducted with guidance, approval and support from SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 later analysed ADS-B data from the operation. It recorded a lowest raw altitude of 50 feet at standard pressure. After correction for Cape Town’s local pressure setting of 1019 hPa, the aircraft were estimated to have been at about 205-210 feet above mean sea level. With DHL Stadium standing approximately 164 feet high, the estimated clearance above the roof was therefore about 41-46 feet. The low clearance became particularly striking in videos recorded from inside and around the stadium. The trailing aircraft was also seen passing through a cloud of pink dust or smoke generated by the pre-match pyrotechnic display. There has been no confirmed report of either aircraft striking the stadium, pyrotechnics or any other object, and no injuries or aircraft damage have been reported. Airlink defended the operation after the footage triggered criticism online. In its August 30, 2026 statement, the airline said the flight required “careful planning and rehearsal” because it involved low-altitude navigation at around 150 knots. It said SACAA and Air Traffic Navigation Services had provided guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby. The airline also said flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed that the operation was conducted within the altitude and speed limits approved and rehearsed with SACAA. The regulator subsequently began a compliance review. SACAA said Airlink had submitted three applications for flypasts linked to the rugby matches, with the first operation taking place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 22, 2026 and the second at DHL Stadium on August 29, 2026. According to SACAA, the Cape Town operation had been formally approved under the regulatory provisions governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights under Part 91.06.32. The operator had also submitted supporting documentation, completed a simulator practice flight and conducted a safety briefing before the operation. The authority said the flypast was approved in accordance with the requirements for Special Air Events. However, after media and public discussion over the unusually low flight path, SACAA initiated compliance verification, engaged Airlink and obtained the aircraft’s Flight Data Recording downloads. SACAA said it is now analysing the data and has requested additional information from Airlink before reaching an informed position. The authority said a full report containing recommendations will be issued once the assessment is completed. “It is therefore critical that we interrogate this past weekend’s events to determine if there were any safety concerns which warrant a review,” SACAA said. The regulator also emphasised South Africa’s commercial aviation safety record, saying the country had maintained a zero fatal-accident record in commercial airline operations for more than four decades. SACAA said that record was one it intended to preserve as it continued to strengthen aviation safety standards. Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht later said the airline recognised the public interest generated by the flypast and the questions that followed, adding: “We never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.” Chris Martinus, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association South Africa, said the lead aircraft appeared to be manoeuvring over the stadium with very little room for error. He said that if something adverse occurred at such an altitude, the pilots would have few options. Australian aviation consultant and former military and commercial pilot Keith Tonkin also warned that turbulence or a bird strike could leave a jet with insufficient room to manoeuvre safely at that height. He said the broader concern was the precedent created by an operation that other operators might seek to replicate. The flypast was part of a long-standing South African rugby tradition. The practice gained particular prominence during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 flew over Ellis Park before the Springboks faced the All Blacks. Airlink had planned to continue the tradition at the next Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on September 5, 2026. However, the airline notified SACAA on September 1, 2026 that it was withdrawing its application for the third flypast. Airlink said unfavourable weather conditions meant the planned formation flight could not be safely conducted. SACAA confirmed the withdrawal but has not yet released a final finding on the Cape Town operation. The authority’s review will determine whether the two aircraft complied fully with the approved flight parameters and whether any additional safety measures or recommendations are required.

Airlink Formation Flypast Prompts Safety Review After Jets Pass 41 Feet Above Stadium

Delta Boeing 757 Returns To Minneapolis After First Officer Suffers Medical Emergency

Delta Boeing 757 Returns To Minneapolis After First Officer Suffers Medical Emergency

Former British Airways Cabin Crew Lead Convicted Of Sexual Assault On Colleague

Former British Airways Cabin Crew Lead Convicted Of Sexual Assault On Colleague

Join our WhatsApp Channel

Aviation Today Exclusive Interviews

Inside Aviation

Tecnam Presents Modern Trainers for Modern Pilots | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

3:51

Boeing’s Wisk Aero Presents Fully Autonomous Gen 6 eVTOL Aircraft | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

3:10

High Concentration, Zero Error: Responsibility of Air Traffic Control | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

5:32

TAV1000i – Design & Built in India Simulator for Precision in Ab-Initio Pilot Training

3:42

Smiths Detection’s Next-Generation CT Baggage Screening Technology | Wings India 2026

4:05

From Solar Champion to Charter Gateway Pioneer: CIAL’s Evolution | Wings India 2026

4:06

Sakthi Aviation & Defence Systems Introduces L410NG to Boost India's Remote Connectivity

3:46

DAU School Of Law Unveils Aviation Law Vertical For India’s Aviation Sector | Wings India 2026

5:37

A Clear Path to Becoming a Pilot: United 7 Aero’s Global Training Model | Wings India 2026

5:44

Raghu Vamsi's Arrobot Presents Next-Generation Aerial & Ground Robotics | Wings India 2026

5:23

Made In India Diamond DA40 NG: Combining Technology & Efficiency for Flight Training

6:03

TiHAN Highlights Autonomous Shuttles, Cargo Drones & Smart Mobility

5:38

Gandhi Automations Showcasing Advanced Hangar Door Technologies for Aviation Infrastructure

5:20

Aviacom on High-Fidelity Flight Simulator Technology | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

2:56

EgyptAir Training Academy Highlights B737 MAX Type Rating & Training Programs | Wings India 2026

7:19

Aksi Aerospace Group Showcases Indigenous Drone Manufacturing Ecosystem | Wings India 2026 Exclusive

2:06

Latest News

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

September 4, 2026

Nairobi, Kenya: Africa’s commercial airplane fleet is expected to be more than double, from 755 aircraft to 1,625 by 2045,

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe SEO DES: Air India AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi lost all 3 hydraulics at 36,000ft on Aug 4, causing a 300ft altitude drop; 24 onboard were injured in the incident SOCIAL: The AAIB flagged the Air India AI 2379 PIC’s confirmed psychoactive-substance use as a “serious concern” and recommended priority action by DGCA. The PIC tested non-negative twice, while the Co-Pilot tested negative. The Airbus A320-251N VT-EXO lost all three hydraulic systems at FL360 over the Kolkata FIR on August 4, 2026. The aircraft briefly climbed 372 feet and descended 292 feet before the systems recovered. The flight continued to Delhi and landed safely at 05:30 UTC. Of 145 people onboard, 24 were injured, with four hospitalized. Airbus and BEA inspected the aircraft from August 13-15, while components, fluid samples and flight recorders were secured for further investigation. Image: Rishavnandi08 (Wikimedia) Video: NDTV New Delhi, India: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has raised a serious safety concern after its preliminary investigation into the August 4, 2026 accident involving Air India flight AI 2379 found that the 34-year-old Pilot-in-Command (PIC) tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in both the initial screening and subsequent laboratory confirmation. The Co-Pilot tested negative in both tests. The AAIB stated, "The confirmation of use of psycho-active substances is a serious concern and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority." It further recommended that "DGCA may take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psycho-active substances." The investigation has also identified a major technical event involving the aircraft's three hydraulic systems. Airbus and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) inspected the aircraft in Delhi from August 13 to August 15, 2026. Hydraulic components and fluid samples were recovered for detailed examination, while the Solid-State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and Solid-State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) were also secured for investigation. The aircraft had departed Phuket under Minimum Equipment List (MEL) item No. 29-23-01A for an inoperative Power Transfer Unit (PTU), which had been active since July 28, 2026. The accident involved Air India flight AI 2379, an Airbus A320-251N registered VT-EXO, serial number 8470, manufactured in 2018. The aircraft was owned by Alafco Irish Aircraft Leasing Eight Limited and operated by M/s Air India Limited. The report was prepared for the Director General of the AAIB under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The aircraft departed Phuket International Airport (VTSP), Thailand, for Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP), Delhi, at 01:41 UTC on August 4, 2026, with 145 people onboard, comprising 137 passengers, including three infants, six cabin crew and two flight crew. The PIC had 5,055:22 hours of total flying experience, while the Co-Pilot had 1,393:47 hours. While cruising at FL360 over the Kolkata Flight Information Region at 21° 17 '22.02"N, 84° 56' 18.276"E, the aircraft detected a loss of the Green hydraulic system at 04:02:43 UTC. Four seconds later, the Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems were also detected as lost. At 04:02:48 UTC, the autopilot disengaged and a Continuous Repetitive Chime sounded. A stall warning then activated for two seconds at 04:02:51 UTC, after which the Co-Pilot, who was the Pilot Flying, initiated corrective action before the PIC took control. During the event, the aircraft climbed 372 feet above its assigned FL360 before descending 292 feet. The Blue hydraulic system recovered at 04:02:52 UTC, followed shortly by recovery of the Yellow and Green systems. Control-surface response was restored and the aircraft returned to normal flight. The aircraft's sudden movement injured 24 people, 20 passengers and four cabin crew. The seatbelt signs had been switched off during the cruise. The report recorded damage to ceiling panels at rows 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20 and 27 to 29, along with dislocated Passenger Service Unit panels, broken handrails at rows 10 and 24, and overhead bins at rows 20 and 25 that were detached or dislodged from their hinges. The forward right-hand emergency exit (R2) handle was broken, the R4 crew swivel seat was bent and the Lavatory E commode was uprooted from its base. The crew decided not to divert and continued toward Delhi while requesting medical priority from air traffic control. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 11L at 05:30 UTC, or 09:32 IST, and parked at 05:37 UTC. Airport medical personnel attended to all 24 injured people. Twenty were treated and discharged for minor injuries, while four people with serious injuries were hospitalized. Following the flight, both pilots underwent Breath-Analyser testing, with satisfactory results. However, the subsequent psychoactive-substance testing of the PIC produced the non-negative initial and laboratory-confirmatory results that prompted the AAIB's interim safety recommendation to the DGCA.

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

September 4, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has raised a serious safety concern after its preliminary investigation into

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

September 4, 2026

Charlotte, United States: Honeywell Aerospace Inc. has agreed to pay $2,042,518 to resolve allegations that it failed to comply with

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

September 4, 2026

Georgia, United States: Two people were critically injured after a single-engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area of Paulding County,

Never miss any important news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Email

Recent News

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

September 4, 2026

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe SEO DES: Air India AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi lost all 3 hydraulics at 36,000ft on Aug 4, causing a 300ft altitude drop; 24 onboard were injured in the incident SOCIAL: The AAIB flagged the Air India AI 2379 PIC’s confirmed psychoactive-substance use as a “serious concern” and recommended priority action by DGCA. The PIC tested non-negative twice, while the Co-Pilot tested negative. The Airbus A320-251N VT-EXO lost all three hydraulic systems at FL360 over the Kolkata FIR on August 4, 2026. The aircraft briefly climbed 372 feet and descended 292 feet before the systems recovered. The flight continued to Delhi and landed safely at 05:30 UTC. Of 145 people onboard, 24 were injured, with four hospitalized. Airbus and BEA inspected the aircraft from August 13-15, while components, fluid samples and flight recorders were secured for further investigation. Image: Rishavnandi08 (Wikimedia) Video: NDTV New Delhi, India: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has raised a serious safety concern after its preliminary investigation into the August 4, 2026 accident involving Air India flight AI 2379 found that the 34-year-old Pilot-in-Command (PIC) tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in both the initial screening and subsequent laboratory confirmation. The Co-Pilot tested negative in both tests. The AAIB stated, "The confirmation of use of psycho-active substances is a serious concern and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority." It further recommended that "DGCA may take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psycho-active substances." The investigation has also identified a major technical event involving the aircraft's three hydraulic systems. Airbus and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) inspected the aircraft in Delhi from August 13 to August 15, 2026. Hydraulic components and fluid samples were recovered for detailed examination, while the Solid-State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and Solid-State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) were also secured for investigation. The aircraft had departed Phuket under Minimum Equipment List (MEL) item No. 29-23-01A for an inoperative Power Transfer Unit (PTU), which had been active since July 28, 2026. The accident involved Air India flight AI 2379, an Airbus A320-251N registered VT-EXO, serial number 8470, manufactured in 2018. The aircraft was owned by Alafco Irish Aircraft Leasing Eight Limited and operated by M/s Air India Limited. The report was prepared for the Director General of the AAIB under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The aircraft departed Phuket International Airport (VTSP), Thailand, for Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP), Delhi, at 01:41 UTC on August 4, 2026, with 145 people onboard, comprising 137 passengers, including three infants, six cabin crew and two flight crew. The PIC had 5,055:22 hours of total flying experience, while the Co-Pilot had 1,393:47 hours. While cruising at FL360 over the Kolkata Flight Information Region at 21° 17 '22.02"N, 84° 56' 18.276"E, the aircraft detected a loss of the Green hydraulic system at 04:02:43 UTC. Four seconds later, the Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems were also detected as lost. At 04:02:48 UTC, the autopilot disengaged and a Continuous Repetitive Chime sounded. A stall warning then activated for two seconds at 04:02:51 UTC, after which the Co-Pilot, who was the Pilot Flying, initiated corrective action before the PIC took control. During the event, the aircraft climbed 372 feet above its assigned FL360 before descending 292 feet. The Blue hydraulic system recovered at 04:02:52 UTC, followed shortly by recovery of the Yellow and Green systems. Control-surface response was restored and the aircraft returned to normal flight. The aircraft's sudden movement injured 24 people, 20 passengers and four cabin crew. The seatbelt signs had been switched off during the cruise. The report recorded damage to ceiling panels at rows 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20 and 27 to 29, along with dislocated Passenger Service Unit panels, broken handrails at rows 10 and 24, and overhead bins at rows 20 and 25 that were detached or dislodged from their hinges. The forward right-hand emergency exit (R2) handle was broken, the R4 crew swivel seat was bent and the Lavatory E commode was uprooted from its base. The crew decided not to divert and continued toward Delhi while requesting medical priority from air traffic control. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 11L at 05:30 UTC, or 09:32 IST, and parked at 05:37 UTC. Airport medical personnel attended to all 24 injured people. Twenty were treated and discharged for minor injuries, while four people with serious injuries were hospitalized. Following the flight, both pilots underwent Breath-Analyser testing, with satisfactory results. However, the subsequent psychoactive-substance testing of the PIC produced the non-negative initial and laboratory-confirmatory results that prompted the AAIB's interim safety recommendation to the DGCA.

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

September 4, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

September 4, 2026

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

September 4, 2026

IndiGo Airlines, 6E1302, IndiGo 6E1302, Doha Bengaluru Flight, Doha Bengaluru, Muscat Diversion, Muscat International Airport, Hamad International Airport, Bengaluru Airport, Pilot Illness, Pilot Medical Issue, Crew

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

September 3, 2026

Do you have the Pilot in you?

Explore More

Webinar

Industry Expert’s Voice

Indian Aviation Statistics

Submit Aviation Blog

Editor's Pick

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

Investigation

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Aerospace

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Aircraft Crashes

Posted onSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Airlines

Montreal, Canada: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sounded a strong warning on global air safety, highlighting rising accident rates as flight activity reaches record levels. In its latest State of Global Aviation Safety report released this month, the UN aviation agency revealed that 2024 saw 95 accidents involving scheduled commercial flights, compared with 66 the previous year. Of these, 10 were fatal, resulting in 296 deaths, an alarming jump from 72 in 2023. The global accident rate also rose to 2.56 per million departures, up from 1.87 the previous year. While ICAO stressed that aviation remains the safest form of travel, the organization called for urgent international action to address mounting risks as passenger demand continues to grow worldwide. ICAO’s data show that the most significant accident categories included controlled flight into terrain, loss of control in flight, mid-air collisions, and runway incursions. These accounted for 25 percent of total fatalities and 40 percent of fatal accidents in 2024. Turbulence has also emerged as a key concern, responsible for nearly three-quarters of serious injuries recorded last year. The Asia-Pacific and Europe/North Atlantic regions each reported three fatal accidents, while a single catastrophic crash in South America caused 62 deaths. Overall, Asia-Pacific recorded the highest number of fatalities, followed by South America, then Europe and the North Atlantic. Alongside accident data, ICAO flagged growing risks from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) disruptions, such as jamming and spoofing, which threaten the reliability of modern navigation. The organization is updating guidance and working with member states to protect GNSS integrity, while also strengthening runway safety initiatives, turbulence monitoring, and wildlife strike reporting. ICAO is further developing frameworks for civil-military cooperation to manage risks linked to conflict zones and restricted airspace, and it is preparing safety systems for the integration of unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility vehicles into shared skies. ICAO leaders underscored that the rise in accidents is a wake-up call for regulators, airlines, and governments worldwide. Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar noted that the long-term safety trend remains positive but emphasized that “aviation remains the safest form of transport” only if proactive measures are sustained.

ICAO Warns of Rising Air Safety Risks as Global Flight Activity Hits Record Levels

August 27, 2025

Montreal, Canada: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sounded a strong warning on global air safety, highlighting rising accident

EEOC Sues Gate Gourmet Over Alleged Sexual Harassment At Denver Airport

EEOC Sues Gate Gourmet Over Alleged Sexual Harassment At Denver Airport

August 29, 2026

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on Friday, August 21, 2026, confirmed an investigation into a fourth ground-safety incident at Sydney Airport within just over three weeks, involving two Qantas aircraft that received potentially conflicting taxi instructions on August 18. The investigation, AO-2026-091, concerns an Airbus A321, registration VH-OGA, operating Qantas Flight QF405 to Melbourne, and a Boeing 737-838, registration VH-VXL, operating Qantas Flight QF589 from the Gold Coast. The ATSB's latest announcement said investigators will interview the air traffic controllers and flight crews involved, examine recorded data and collect other relevant evidence. The agency has not yet determined a cause or contributing factor and said a final report will be released after the investigation is completed. The August 18 event occurred at about 8:09 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time. After landing on Runway 34R, Qantas Boeing 737-838, QF589 taxied west on Taxiway Lima with clearance to turn right at Taxiway Bravo. At the same time, Qantas Airbus A321-271NY, QF405 was taxiing south on Taxiway Charlie after being cleared to turn right onto Taxiway Lima. As the A321 approached the taxiway, its crew saw the Boeing 737 approaching from the left and stopped the aircraft, allowing the 737 to pass. The ATSB classified the occurrence as an incident, with the aviation occurrence categories listed as failure to pass traffic and information/procedural error. There were no injuries or aircraft damage. The ATSB said there was “no immediate risk of collision” because QF405 braked normally before stopping. It nevertheless opened an investigation to understand the potential conflicting instructions given to the two crews. Airservices Australia said it reported the potential traffic conflict to safety authorities on Tuesday, August 18, and Qantas said its aircraft had been cleared to proceed in accordance with air traffic control instructions and that it would support the investigation. The latest event is the fourth Sydney Airport safety incident being investigated by the ATSB since July 27. Importantly, the ATSB has not found a common cause or fault in any of the four incidents at this stage. All four investigations remain active or pending, meaning claims that staffing shortages, training problems or the new Sydney Basin airspace changes caused the incidents would go beyond what the safety bureau has established so far. Airservices Australia has said the incidents involve different circumstances and that each is being examined on its individual facts. The first incident occurred on July 27, 2026, and is recorded by the ATSB as AO-2026-086 “Breakdown of coordination involving Bombardier DHC-8, VH-QOC, and Boeing 737, VH-XZG, at Sydney Airport.” The occurrence took place at 8:14 a.m. AEST and involved QantasLink Flight QLK424D, travelling from Canberra to Sydney, and Qantas Flight QFA124, travelling from Queenstown, New Zealand, to Sydney. ATC cleared the Boeing 737 to cross Runway 34L from Runway 25 while the QantasLink DHC-8 was still in its landing roll on Runway 34L. Controllers detected the developing conflict and alerted both crews, after which the 737 stopped beyond the runway holding point. The ATSB has classified the investigation as an active short occurrence investigation, with completion anticipated in Q4 2026. The second incident occurred on August 9 at about 7:20 a.m. and involved Jetstar Flight JQ402, an Airbus A320-232 registered VH-VQJ, and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER, registered A7-BEU, which was being towed by a tug. The ATSB's investigation number is AO-2026-087, titled “Taxiing proximity event involving Airbus A320-232, VH-VQJ and Boeing 777, A7-BEU, at Sydney Airport.” As the Jetstar aircraft taxied before departure for the Gold Coast, its crew saw the Qatar 777 in close proximity on a crossing taxiway. Both aircraft stopped abruptly, and a Jetstar cabin crew member was reported to have suffered a minor injury. No aircraft damage was reported. The incident triggered immediate scrutiny of ground operations. The Australian Transport Minister, Catherine King, said a ground controller and the tug operator were stood down for mandatory drug and alcohol testing, describing it as standard policy while the ATSB investigation was under way. “As is policy, the ground controller and tug operator have been stood down for mandatory drug & alcohol testing,” the minister's statement said. No passengers were injured, while the Jetstar crew member was assessed by paramedics. Only about three hours later, on the morning of August 9, Sydney Airport recorded its third incident in the sequence. The ATSB investigation, AO-2026-090, is titled “Runway incursion and rejected take-off involving Boeing 737-8SA, VH-IJQ, and Boeing 737-838, VH-XZH.” The aircraft were Virgin Australia Flight VA555, scheduled from Sydney to Perth, and Qantas Flight QF728, scheduled from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport. At around 10 a.m., ATC cleared the Virgin Australia 737, registered VH-IJQ, for a full-length departure from Runway 34L. As the Virgin crew applied thrust, they saw the Qantas 737, registered VH-XZH, begin crossing the runway from Taxiway Lima. The Qantas crew reported that it had also received clearance from ATC to cross. The Virgin crew reduced thrust and stopped on the runway, while ATC simultaneously cancelled the take-off clearance. After the Qantas aircraft cleared the runway, the Virgin 737 was cleared to depart. The ATSB classified the occurrence as an incident involving information/procedural error, loss of separation, rejected take-off and runway incursion. No injuries or aircraft damage were recorded. The four incidents have also intensified scrutiny of Sydney's air traffic-control workforce and the major airspace changes introduced ahead of the opening of Western Sydney International Airport. CASA implemented the new Sydney Basin airspace arrangements on July 9, creating new controlled airspace around Western Sydney International and changing the structure around Sydney Kingsford Smith, Bankstown and Camden airports. CASA said the changes were designed to integrate the airports while maintaining capacity, efficiency and aircraft separation. Reuters reported that the ATSB had received a June report from an air traffic controller warning that staff at Sydney Airport were not adequately prepared for complex airspace and procedural changes linked to the opening of Western Sydney International Airport. The report cited concerns over limited training time and the volume of new material. CASA later found that Airservices Australia had implemented appropriate training, procedures and operational support arrangements. The sequence has also prompted warnings from aviation safety specialists. Retired commercial pilot and former ATSB safety investigator Geoff Klouth said the repeated events should be addressed quickly. “We've been very fortunate that there haven't been collisions, but it doesn't mean it won't happen in the future,” he said, warning that the consequences of a future failure could be catastrophic. For now, however, the official position remains that there is no established common cause behind the four incidents. The ATSB is examining each occurrence separately while also looking for common contributing factors. The July 27 coordination breakdown, the August 9 Jetstar-Qatar taxiing event, the August 9 Virgin-Qantas runway incursion and rejected take-off, and the August 18 Qantas taxiing conflict are all still under investigation. Until the ATSB releases its findings, staffing shortages, training pressures, airspace redesign and procedural errors should be treated as areas of concern or investigation rather than confirmed causes.

Sydney Airport Faces Fourth Safety Incident In Less Than A Month As ATSB Launches Probe

August 21, 2026

Incheon, South Korea: South Korea’s Incheon International Airport has become the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic for the first time, handling about 38.39 million international passengers in the first half of 2026, according to preliminary Airports Council International data reported on August 13. Incheon International Airport has emerged as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic, overtaking Dubai’s previous No. 1 position. The latest result represents a major change in the ranking. ACI’s 2025 international passenger ranking placed Dubai first, Heathrow second and Incheon third. The organisation’s July 2026 airport ranking resource likewise listed Dubai as the busiest airport for international passengers based on the latest completed annual dataset. The new Incheon result therefore represents a preliminary H1 2026 shift rather than a completed annual ranking. The ranking shift was partly linked to major changes in global air travel caused by the US-Iran conflict. The disruption weakened the role of Middle Eastern transfer hubs, particularly Dubai, prompting some passengers travelling between Europe and Asia to reroute through Incheon. Dubai’s international passenger traffic fell from 7.4 million in February to 2.5 million in March before recovering to 4.7 million by June. Incheon recorded 4.24 million transfer passengers during the first six months, an 18.1% increase from the same period a year earlier. Transfer traffic on European routes rose 63.2% to about 210,000 passengers, highlighting the shift in connecting traffic toward the South Korean hub. The airport also benefited from stronger tourism demand. Foreign travellers accounted for a record 44.4% of Incheon’s total passenger traffic in the second quarter, with growing visitor flows from markets including China and Japan contributing to the increase. Infrastructure and connectivity have also strengthened Incheon’s position. The airport’s expansion programme has raised its annual passenger-handling capacity to 106 million. It currently serves 101 airlines and 183 cities in 53 countries when passenger and cargo operations are included, while passenger services connect Incheon with 158 international destinations. That compares with 139 international destinations served by Hong Kong, 92 by Shanghai Pudong and 86 by Tokyo Narita, according to the latest reports. The airport opened in 2001 and completed its latest major expansion in 2024. Its growing international network has allowed it to absorb additional connecting traffic while maintaining its position as a major Northeast Asian hub. Incheon International Airport Corporation Acting President Kim Beom-ho credited government support, the public and airport employees for the achievement. He said the airport would continue pursuing service innovation and improving connectivity with regional airports. Kim said: “We’re grateful for the government’s support, the public’s encouragement” and the efforts of airport personnel. The corporation said it plans to strengthen passenger convenience while pursuing service innovation, artificial-intelligence transformation and infrastructure for urban air mobility. It also plans to expand links between Incheon and regional airports as South Korea seeks to increase inbound tourism and improve overseas travel access for passengers outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

South Korea’s Incheon Overtakes Dubai To Become World’s Busiest International Airport

August 14, 2026

Explosive-Laden Drone Found At Leipzig Airport As DHL Freighter Strikes Object Mid-Air

August 6, 2026

Airports

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

September 4, 2026

Nairobi, Kenya: Africa’s commercial airplane fleet is expected to be more than double, from 755 aircraft to 1,625 by 2045,

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe SEO DES: Air India AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi lost all 3 hydraulics at 36,000ft on Aug 4, causing a 300ft altitude drop; 24 onboard were injured in the incident SOCIAL: The AAIB flagged the Air India AI 2379 PIC’s confirmed psychoactive-substance use as a “serious concern” and recommended priority action by DGCA. The PIC tested non-negative twice, while the Co-Pilot tested negative. The Airbus A320-251N VT-EXO lost all three hydraulic systems at FL360 over the Kolkata FIR on August 4, 2026. The aircraft briefly climbed 372 feet and descended 292 feet before the systems recovered. The flight continued to Delhi and landed safely at 05:30 UTC. Of 145 people onboard, 24 were injured, with four hospitalized. Airbus and BEA inspected the aircraft from August 13-15, while components, fluid samples and flight recorders were secured for further investigation. Image: Rishavnandi08 (Wikimedia) Video: NDTV New Delhi, India: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has raised a serious safety concern after its preliminary investigation into the August 4, 2026 accident involving Air India flight AI 2379 found that the 34-year-old Pilot-in-Command (PIC) tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in both the initial screening and subsequent laboratory confirmation. The Co-Pilot tested negative in both tests. The AAIB stated, "The confirmation of use of psycho-active substances is a serious concern and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority." It further recommended that "DGCA may take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psycho-active substances." The investigation has also identified a major technical event involving the aircraft's three hydraulic systems. Airbus and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) inspected the aircraft in Delhi from August 13 to August 15, 2026. Hydraulic components and fluid samples were recovered for detailed examination, while the Solid-State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and Solid-State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) were also secured for investigation. The aircraft had departed Phuket under Minimum Equipment List (MEL) item No. 29-23-01A for an inoperative Power Transfer Unit (PTU), which had been active since July 28, 2026. The accident involved Air India flight AI 2379, an Airbus A320-251N registered VT-EXO, serial number 8470, manufactured in 2018. The aircraft was owned by Alafco Irish Aircraft Leasing Eight Limited and operated by M/s Air India Limited. The report was prepared for the Director General of the AAIB under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The aircraft departed Phuket International Airport (VTSP), Thailand, for Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP), Delhi, at 01:41 UTC on August 4, 2026, with 145 people onboard, comprising 137 passengers, including three infants, six cabin crew and two flight crew. The PIC had 5,055:22 hours of total flying experience, while the Co-Pilot had 1,393:47 hours. While cruising at FL360 over the Kolkata Flight Information Region at 21° 17 '22.02"N, 84° 56' 18.276"E, the aircraft detected a loss of the Green hydraulic system at 04:02:43 UTC. Four seconds later, the Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems were also detected as lost. At 04:02:48 UTC, the autopilot disengaged and a Continuous Repetitive Chime sounded. A stall warning then activated for two seconds at 04:02:51 UTC, after which the Co-Pilot, who was the Pilot Flying, initiated corrective action before the PIC took control. During the event, the aircraft climbed 372 feet above its assigned FL360 before descending 292 feet. The Blue hydraulic system recovered at 04:02:52 UTC, followed shortly by recovery of the Yellow and Green systems. Control-surface response was restored and the aircraft returned to normal flight. The aircraft's sudden movement injured 24 people, 20 passengers and four cabin crew. The seatbelt signs had been switched off during the cruise. The report recorded damage to ceiling panels at rows 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20 and 27 to 29, along with dislocated Passenger Service Unit panels, broken handrails at rows 10 and 24, and overhead bins at rows 20 and 25 that were detached or dislodged from their hinges. The forward right-hand emergency exit (R2) handle was broken, the R4 crew swivel seat was bent and the Lavatory E commode was uprooted from its base. The crew decided not to divert and continued toward Delhi while requesting medical priority from air traffic control. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 11L at 05:30 UTC, or 09:32 IST, and parked at 05:37 UTC. Airport medical personnel attended to all 24 injured people. Twenty were treated and discharged for minor injuries, while four people with serious injuries were hospitalized. Following the flight, both pilots underwent Breath-Analyser testing, with satisfactory results. However, the subsequent psychoactive-substance testing of the PIC produced the non-negative initial and laboratory-confirmatory results that prompted the AAIB's interim safety recommendation to the DGCA.

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

September 4, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

September 4, 2026

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

September 4, 2026

IndiGo Airlines, 6E1302, IndiGo 6E1302, Doha Bengaluru Flight, Doha Bengaluru, Muscat Diversion, Muscat International Airport, Hamad International Airport, Bengaluru Airport, Pilot Illness, Pilot Medical Issue, Crew

IndiGo Doha-Bengaluru Flight Diverted To Muscat Over Crew Medical Emergency

September 3, 2026

More News

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

September 4, 2026

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe SEO DES: Air India AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi lost all 3 hydraulics at 36,000ft on Aug 4, causing a 300ft altitude drop; 24 onboard were injured in the incident SOCIAL: The AAIB flagged the Air India AI 2379 PIC’s confirmed psychoactive-substance use as a “serious concern” and recommended priority action by DGCA. The PIC tested non-negative twice, while the Co-Pilot tested negative. The Airbus A320-251N VT-EXO lost all three hydraulic systems at FL360 over the Kolkata FIR on August 4, 2026. The aircraft briefly climbed 372 feet and descended 292 feet before the systems recovered. The flight continued to Delhi and landed safely at 05:30 UTC. Of 145 people onboard, 24 were injured, with four hospitalized. Airbus and BEA inspected the aircraft from August 13-15, while components, fluid samples and flight recorders were secured for further investigation. Image: Rishavnandi08 (Wikimedia) Video: NDTV New Delhi, India: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has raised a serious safety concern after its preliminary investigation into the August 4, 2026 accident involving Air India flight AI 2379 found that the 34-year-old Pilot-in-Command (PIC) tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in both the initial screening and subsequent laboratory confirmation. The Co-Pilot tested negative in both tests. The AAIB stated, "The confirmation of use of psycho-active substances is a serious concern and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority." It further recommended that "DGCA may take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psycho-active substances." The investigation has also identified a major technical event involving the aircraft's three hydraulic systems. Airbus and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) inspected the aircraft in Delhi from August 13 to August 15, 2026. Hydraulic components and fluid samples were recovered for detailed examination, while the Solid-State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and Solid-State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) were also secured for investigation. The aircraft had departed Phuket under Minimum Equipment List (MEL) item No. 29-23-01A for an inoperative Power Transfer Unit (PTU), which had been active since July 28, 2026. The accident involved Air India flight AI 2379, an Airbus A320-251N registered VT-EXO, serial number 8470, manufactured in 2018. The aircraft was owned by Alafco Irish Aircraft Leasing Eight Limited and operated by M/s Air India Limited. The report was prepared for the Director General of the AAIB under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The aircraft departed Phuket International Airport (VTSP), Thailand, for Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP), Delhi, at 01:41 UTC on August 4, 2026, with 145 people onboard, comprising 137 passengers, including three infants, six cabin crew and two flight crew. The PIC had 5,055:22 hours of total flying experience, while the Co-Pilot had 1,393:47 hours. While cruising at FL360 over the Kolkata Flight Information Region at 21° 17 '22.02"N, 84° 56' 18.276"E, the aircraft detected a loss of the Green hydraulic system at 04:02:43 UTC. Four seconds later, the Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems were also detected as lost. At 04:02:48 UTC, the autopilot disengaged and a Continuous Repetitive Chime sounded. A stall warning then activated for two seconds at 04:02:51 UTC, after which the Co-Pilot, who was the Pilot Flying, initiated corrective action before the PIC took control. During the event, the aircraft climbed 372 feet above its assigned FL360 before descending 292 feet. The Blue hydraulic system recovered at 04:02:52 UTC, followed shortly by recovery of the Yellow and Green systems. Control-surface response was restored and the aircraft returned to normal flight. The aircraft's sudden movement injured 24 people, 20 passengers and four cabin crew. The seatbelt signs had been switched off during the cruise. The report recorded damage to ceiling panels at rows 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20 and 27 to 29, along with dislocated Passenger Service Unit panels, broken handrails at rows 10 and 24, and overhead bins at rows 20 and 25 that were detached or dislodged from their hinges. The forward right-hand emergency exit (R2) handle was broken, the R4 crew swivel seat was bent and the Lavatory E commode was uprooted from its base. The crew decided not to divert and continued toward Delhi while requesting medical priority from air traffic control. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 11L at 05:30 UTC, or 09:32 IST, and parked at 05:37 UTC. Airport medical personnel attended to all 24 injured people. Twenty were treated and discharged for minor injuries, while four people with serious injuries were hospitalized. Following the flight, both pilots underwent Breath-Analyser testing, with satisfactory results. However, the subsequent psychoactive-substance testing of the PIC produced the non-negative initial and laboratory-confirmatory results that prompted the AAIB's interim safety recommendation to the DGCA.

AAIB Flags Non-Negative Pilot Test And Loss Of All Three Hydraulics In Air India Probe

September 4, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

Honeywell Aerospace To Pay $2M Over Alleged Cybersecurity Failures In Defense Contract

September 4, 2026

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

Student And Flight Instructor Hospitalized After Training Aircraft Crashes In Georgia

September 4, 2026

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

AVIATION TODAY brings the latest in aviation and aims to cater information to professionals and Aviation Enthusiasts about the Industry.

Quick Links

About Us
Contact Us
Services
Advertise
FAQ

Navigate

Latest News
Civil Aviation
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Aviation Jobs
Training

General Support

info@aviationtoday.in

News Desk Support

news@aviationtoday.in

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

© Copyright 2026 Aviation Today. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

Coming Soon!

Explore

Subscribe

First Name

Last Name

Phone/Mobile

Email

Topic

Your Message

Attach Document

Choose File

Search

About Us
Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube