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Investigation

Mexico City, Mexico: In a landmark ruling that reshapes the narrative of one of Cuba’s deadliest aviation disasters, a Mexican court has held charter airline Aerolíneas Damojh (Global Air) responsible for the 2018 crash of a Boeing 737 in Havana, concluding that the aircraft suffered from severe maintenance failures and “should never have flown.” The decision, based on court documents dated March 31 and reviewed by multiple international outlets, marks a significant legal departure from earlier findings that attributed the accident primarily to pilot error. An independent expert assessment presented during proceedings determined that the crash of Cubana de Aviación Flight 0972 was an “institutional accident” caused by systemic maintenance negligence. The report emphasized that the pilots were merely the “final line of defense” and were unable to prevent the catastrophe once critical failures had already developed. The judge accepted these findings and ruled that the aircraft’s operator, Global Air, bore responsibility for placing an unfit aircraft into service. The court ordered Global Air to pay USD 1.5 million in compensation to each of the families of the four Mexican crew members who initiated the lawsuit. Notably, the airline failed to appear in court and was tried in absentia, while the aircraft’s insurer also named in the case was ultimately cleared of financial liability. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs described the ruling as “groundbreaking”, arguing that it validates long-standing concerns about the airline’s maintenance practices and operational standards. The accident occurred on May 18, 2018, when a Boeing 737-200 (registration XA-UHZ) crashed shortly after takeoff from José Martí International Airport in Havana while operating a domestic flight to Holguín. Of the 113 people onboard, 112 were killed, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Cuba in decades. Only one passenger survived. The aircraft was owned and operated by Global Air, a Mexican charter airline, and was leased to Cuba’s state carrier Cubana de Aviación under a wet lease agreement. The Mexican ruling directly contradicts Cuba’s 2019 official investigation, which attributed the crash primarily to pilot error and weight miscalculation, citing deficiencies in crew performance and operational procedures. In contrast, the Mexican court concluded that chronic maintenance deficiencies and systemic oversight failures were the root cause, reframing the accident as a broader organizational failure rather than an isolated human error. Global Air had faced prior operational scrutiny in Mexico, including temporary suspension following the crash as authorities examined its compliance with safety regulations. Reports cited during the case highlighted a history of technical issues and complaints, raising questions about the aircraft’s airworthiness long before the accident occurred. Beyond the initial lawsuit, broader legal proceedings are underway. Lawyers representing victims confirmed that: A class-action civil lawsuit covering all victims is in progress A criminal complaint for homicide has been filed against the airline and responsible parties However, the criminal investigation in Mexico has reportedly stalled due to limited cooperation from Cuban authorities. Samuel González, counsel for the victims’ families, described the judgment as a hard-fought and “groundbreaking” decision for Mexico. He said the ruling reinforces early admissions made in Havana by the airline’s own head of maintenance, who acknowledged to relatives that the aircraft should not have been cleared for operation. “That aircraft operated for nearly a decade without proper maintenance,” González said. “The crash occurred in Cuba, but the risk was universal.” Efforts to reach representatives of the airline for comment were unsuccessful. González also indicated that the carrier may be moving toward bankruptcy proceedings, warning that any attempt to misuse the process would be legally challenged.

Mexican Court Rejects Pilot Error, Blames Maintenance In 2018 Cuba Crash That Killed 112

Aviation Today News Desk April 13, 2026

Mexico City, Mexico: In a landmark ruling that reshapes the narrative of one of Cuba’s deadliest aviation disasters, a Mexican court

Ankara, Turkey: Turkey has ruled out sabotage, explosives, and any form of external attack in the crash of a Turkish Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, according to early findings released as part of the ongoing investigation. The aircraft, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, crashed on November 11, 2025, while operating a return flight from Ganja in Azerbaijan to Merzifon Air Base in Turkey. All 20 personnel on board, including crew members and military technical staff, were killed in the accident, making it one of the deadliest recent incidents involving the Turkish Air Force. Initial data from the time of the crash indicated a sudden and catastrophic in-flight breakup. The aircraft was cruising at altitude when it disappeared from radar without issuing a distress call. Tracking data showed a rapid and uncontrolled descent, with the aircraft breaking into multiple sections mid-air before crashing in Georgia’s Kakheti region near the Azerbaijan border. The wide debris field and separation of major components suggested structural failure occurred before ground impact. According to the latest findings cited by Caliber and supported by Turkish authorities, forensic examinations have found no evidence of explosives, missile strike, or any external interference. Investigators reported no traces of bomb residue, shrapnel, or chemical agents, effectively ruling out sabotage or a hostile act. Turkish officials have also dismissed circulating claims suggesting the aircraft may have been shot down, describing them as unfounded. With external causes eliminated, the investigation has now narrowed its focus to possible internal factors, including mechanical malfunction or structural failure. Preliminary assessments suggest that a critical structural component, possibly in the tail section, may have failed mid-flight, leading to the aircraft breaking apart into multiple sections. The exact sequence of events, however, remains under detailed examination. The aircraft had undergone modernization in recent years and reportedly completed maintenance checks roughly a month before the crash. Despite this, investigators are examining whether structural fatigue, system failure, or an undetected defect could have triggered the catastrophic breakup. Authorities continue to analyse data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which are expected to play a key role in determining the final cause. Officials have indicated that a comprehensive final report will only be released after full technical, forensic, and operational analysis is completed. Following the accident, Turkey temporarily grounded its C-130 fleet for safety inspections and deployed a large investigation team to the crash site. Wreckage recovered from the mountainous terrain has been transported for detailed examination as part of the probe. While early findings have provided clarity by ruling out external factors, the final report is expected to establish the precise cause and sequence of failures that led to the mid-air breakup of the aircraft.

Turkey Rules Out Sabotage Or Explosion In Deadly C-130 Crash That Killed 20

Aviation Today News Desk April 9, 2026

Ankara, Turkey: Turkey has ruled out sabotage, explosives, and any form of external attack in the crash of a Turkish Air

AAIB Flags Safety Lapses In Pawan Hans Helicopter Crash That Killed 1, Injured 4

Aviation Today News Desk April 6, 2026

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has identified multiple safety lapses in the Pawan Hans helicopter

Wuzhou, China: The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating a routine domestic service from Kunming to Guangzhou on March 21, 2022, was carrying 132 people, including 123 passengers and nine crew members. About an hour into the flight, while cruising at altitude, the aircraft suddenly entered a steep and rapid descent before plunging almost vertically into a mountainous, forested area in Guangxi. All 132 occupants were killed, and no survivors were found, marking China’s deadliest air crash. China’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, launched an investigation immediately after the crash, dispatching emergency teams to the remote impact site. Due to the aircraft’s U.S. manufacture, the investigation also involved international participants, including the National Transportation Safety Board, Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration, who provided technical assistance. A major breakthrough in the early phase of the investigation came with the recovery of both flight recorders. The cockpit voice recorder was located on March 23, 2022, followed by the flight data recorder, which was retrieved from deep within the crash debris days later. Both devices were severely damaged due to the high-impact crash and required detailed forensic analysis, including data extraction overseas. Preliminary examination of the data indicated that the aircraft descended rapidly from around 29,000 feet, briefly stabilized, and then entered a final near-vertical dive. Air traffic controllers attempted to contact the pilots multiple times during the descent, but no distress call was made and no response was received from the cockpit. In its preliminary report released in April 2022, the CAAC ruled out several common causes of aviation accidents. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, or dangerous cargo. The aircraft was deemed airworthy and properly maintained, while the flight crew were found to be qualified, adequately rested, and medically fit. Follow-up updates issued in 2023 and 2024 reiterated these findings, stating that no abnormalities had been identified in the aircraft systems, flight operations, or air traffic control procedures. Despite these findings, investigators have not been able to establish a definitive cause of the crash. A report published in 2022 by The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials familiar with black box analysis, suggested that the aircraft may have been intentionally put into a dive from the cockpit. However, Chinese authorities have not confirmed this interpretation and have cautioned against speculation, warning that unverified conclusions could mislead the public and interfere with the investigation. Under international aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, accident investigations are expected to produce an initial report within 30 days and a final report within one year wherever possible. In the case of MU5735, a preliminary report was issued within the required timeframe, but no final report has been released even after four years. The last official update from Chinese authorities came in March 2024, with no substantive developments disclosed since then. The prolonged delay has drawn attention from global aviation bodies, including the International Air Transport Association, which has emphasized the importance of timely accident reports in improving aviation safety worldwide. As of 2026, the investigation into Flight MU5735 remains officially ongoing. No confirmed cause has been identified, and no comprehensive final report has been made public.

China’s Deadliest Crash Still Unresolved As MU5735 Probe Continues Four Years On

Aviation Today News Desk March 30, 2026

Wuzhou, China: The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating a routine domestic service from Kunming to Guangzhou on March 21, 2022, was carrying

NTSB Cites Runway Safety System Failed To Alert Before Deadly LaGuardia Collision

Aviation Today News Desk March 26, 2026

New York, United States: A critical runway safety alert system at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) failed to issue a warning before an

TSB Links Mechanical And Human Factors To Fort Smith Crash That Killed 6, Injured 1

Aviation Today News Desk March 21, 2026

Fort Smith, Canada: The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its final investigation report into the January 23, 2024,

TSB Report Reveals Training Gaps Behind Fatal Chilliwack Flight Crash That Killed 2

Aviation Today News Desk March 19, 2026

Abbotsford, Canada: A fatal training flight crash near Chilliwack, British Columbia, that claimed the lives of two pilots has been linked

Nearly 12 Years On, New Search Fails to Find Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Wreckage

Aviation Today News Desk March 15, 2026

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Nearly 12 years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished from radar on 8 March 2014, the latest deep‑sea

Jeju Air Crash Probe Finds Airport Structure May Have Worsened Deadly 2024 Disaster

Aviation Today News Desk March 14, 2026

Muan, South Korea: Investigations into the 2024 crash of a Jeju Air passenger jet in South Korea have revealed that longstanding

UK Probes Ryanair 737 Flight Low-Fuel Landing After Multiple Diversions At Manchester

Aviation Today News Desk March 7, 2026

Manchester, United Kingdom: A serious aviation incident involving a Ryanair passenger jet that landed with only minutes of fuel remaining in

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Investigation

Mexican Court Rejects Pilot Error, Blames Maintenance In 2018 Cuba Crash That Killed 112

Turkey Rules Out Sabotage Or Explosion In Deadly C-130 Crash That Killed 20

AAIB Flags Safety Lapses In Pawan Hans Helicopter Crash That Killed 1, Injured 4

China’s Deadliest Crash Still Unresolved As MU5735 Probe Continues Four Years On

NTSB Cites Runway Safety System Failed To Alert Before Deadly LaGuardia Collision

TSB Links Mechanical And Human Factors To Fort Smith Crash That Killed 6, Injured 1

TSB Report Reveals Training Gaps Behind Fatal Chilliwack Flight Crash That Killed 2

Nearly 12 Years On, New Search Fails to Find Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Wreckage

Jeju Air Crash Probe Finds Airport Structure May Have Worsened Deadly 2024 Disaster

UK Probes Ryanair 737 Flight Low-Fuel Landing After Multiple Diversions At Manchester

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