air safety Archives - Page 3 of 4

Seoni, India: A training aircraft belonging to Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) skidded off the runway at Dhana Airstrip on Wednesday. The sole pilot aboard escaped without injury, police said. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Lokendra Singh, the aircraft veered off during take‑off and nosedived into scrubland adjacent to the airstrip just as authorities were preparing the runway for an emergency airlift of an injured soldier. “The solo pilot miraculously escaped without injuries,” he told IANS. Eyewitnesses described a sudden loss of control, followed by a plume of dust and debris as the plane left the runway and hit rough terrain. The aircraft reportedly did not catch fire, and there was no immediate sign of a major structural breakup. Dhana Airstrip located in Sagar district serves as the primary training base for Chimes Aviation Academy. CAA lists the Dhana facility among its certified flying bases. The accident renews scrutiny over repeated safety‑related incidents at Dhana. CAA and the local administration have not yet released a detailed statement. An investigation is expected to determine whether pilot error, technical failure or runway/airstrip conditions caused the mishap. Similar Training Aircraft Crash At Seoni Two Days Ago About two days ago, a training aircraft belonging to Redbird Flight Training Academy crashed near Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh. According to police and local reports, the aircraft struck a 33 kV high‑voltage power line while preparing to land near the village of Amgaon, roughly 2 km from Suktara Airstrip. The wing’s impact severed the line, leading to a crash in a nearby field; both the pilot and the flight instructor identified as Ajit Anthony (instructor) and Ajit Chawda (trainee) sustained injuries but are now out of danger. In addition to the human injuries, the accident caused electricity disruption around 80–90 villages under the local power‑substation were plunged into darkness. Previous Training Aircraft Incidents at Chimes Aviation Academy 6 April 2009, a training aircraft of Chimes Aviation Academy, a Cessna 172R registered VT‑CAI departed from Dhana Airstrip on a cross‑country solo training flight. On its return leg near Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh, the aircraft reportedly flew very low over the water, made a low pass near fishermen, and then plunged into the dam. The wreckage was recovered on 29 May 2009, after more than a month, with the aircraft destroyed, the engine hanging and the propeller facing downward. The lone trainee pilot on board tragically died. 3 January 2020, Dhana Airstrip, Sagar (MP), a Cessna 172 training aircraft of Chimes Aviation Academy crashed during landing at Dhana Airstrip. Both the instructor and trainee on board tragically lost their lives in the accident 17 July 2021, Dhana Airstrip, Sagar, a Cessna 172R (VT‑CAG) operated by the academy experienced a runway excursion during take‑off or landing at Dhana Airstrip. The aircraft skidded off the runway, but the trainee pilot escaped unhurt. 6 March 2024, Guna Airstrip, Guna district (MP), a Cessna 172S (VT‑CHP) developed engine trouble mid-flight while traveling from Neemuch to Dhana. The trainee pilot attempted an emergency landing at Guna Airstrip but lost control, crashing into bushes. The pilot was injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Chimes Aviation Academy Aircraft Skids Off Runway At Dhana; Solo Pilot Escapes Unhurt

Aviation Today News Desk / December 10, 2025

Seoni, India: A training aircraft belonging to Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) skidded off the runway at Dhana Airstrip on Wednesday. […]

New Orleans, United States: The United States Coast Guard has officially suspended its search for two pilots missing after a small training aircraft crashed into Lake Pontchartrain earlier this week. Authorities ended active operations after nearly 45 hours of continuous air and water searches, covering more than 770 square miles, with no survivors found. Coast Guard officials said the decision was made after all reasonable search efforts were exhausted. The aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Apollo Flight Training of Gulfport, Mississippi, was conducting a training flight on Monday evening when it disappeared from radar about four miles from New Orleans Lakefront Airport. The flight was carrying a female instructor and a male student, working toward commercial aviation careers. According to company owner Michael Carastro, the instructor and student were both in their mid-20s. The instructor reportedly had accumulated around 1,300 flight hours roughly 200 hours shy of the threshold required to qualify for airline duty. The student had been pursuing his commercial and instrument rating. Carastro emphasised that the aircraft was regularly maintained and “up to regulation standards,” and said there was no distress call before contact was lost. He called the crash “an unbelievable tragedy,” noting that in his decades-long experience as a pilot and instructor, he had never before encountered anything like this. Search crews earlier recovered limited debris, including parts believed to be from the aircraft. No distress call was received before radar contact was lost. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate the crash once additional wreckage is located. The flight school has stated that the aircraft was properly maintained and had no known mechanical issues prior to departure.

Aircraft Crashes

US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Two Missing Pilots In Lake Pontchartrain Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / November 27, 2025

New Orleans, United States: The United States Coast Guard has officially suspended its search for two pilots missing after a

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation watchdog has imposed a ₹20 lakh penalty on IndiGo for violating instrument flight procedure norms at Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport, marking another compliance setback for the country’s largest airline. According to a regulatory filing by InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found the airline in breach of rules after it implemented a Standard Instrument Departure (SID) and Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) that had been internally formulated by the company rather than issued by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the only authorised body to publish such procedures. The DGCA stated that the airline’s actions violated Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, along with provisions of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 9, Series C, Part I, specifically paragraphs 2.2 and 2.34, which mandate strict adherence to officially promulgated instrument procedures. InterGlobe confirmed that the communication from the DGCA was received on 17 November 2025. In its exchange filing, the company noted that the penalty would have “no material impact” on its operations or financial position. Industry observers say the latest order reflects DGCA’s tightening oversight on airlines’ compliance with flight procedures, especially at airports that require strict navigational conformity. Instrument departures and arrivals are critical for maintaining flight safety, particularly in regions with terrain challenges or high-density traffic. The penalty comes weeks after DGCA imposed a ₹40 lakh fine on IndiGo for using non-qualified full-flight simulators to train pilots operating to Category C airports, including Leh, Calicut, and Kathmandu. The investigation revealed that nearly 1,700 pilots underwent training on simulators that did not meet regulatory standards prescribed for operations into these high-difficulty airports. In that case, DGCA penalised IndiGo’s Director of Training and Director of Flight Operations with individual fines of ₹20 lakh each, citing oversight lapses and deviations from CAR guidelines.

Airlines

DGCA Imposes Penalty On IndiGo For Instrument Flight Procedure Violation At Udaipur

Aviation Today News Desk / November 19, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation watchdog has imposed a ₹20 lakh penalty on IndiGo for violating instrument flight procedure norms

Kolkata, India: A SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Kolkata made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport late Sunday night after reporting an engine malfunction during descent, officials confirmed. The aircraft, operating as SpiceJet flight SG 670, took off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) and was nearing Kolkata when the flight crew reported a technical issue involving one of its engines. Air traffic control promptly declared a full emergency, and rescue and fire services were placed on standby. According to airport officials, the aircraft landed safely at 11:38 p.m. (IST) and taxied to the parking bay without further incident. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported. The airline did not disclose specific details about the nature of the engine failure. Technical engineers have begun an inspection of the aircraft to determine the cause of the malfunction. No smoke or fire was detected upon landing, according to airport emergency services. Authorities withdrew the full emergency status shortly after touchdown, confirming that the situation was under control. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident as part of its routine safety oversight, officials familiar with the matter said. Industry experts note that while modern twin-engine aircraft are designed to fly safely on one engine, in-flight engine shutdowns trigger mandatory reporting and inspection protocols under DGCA norms.

Incidents

SpiceJet Mumbai–Kolkata Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing After Engine Failure

Aviation Today News Desk / November 11, 2025

Kolkata, India: A SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Kolkata made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International

Bunawan, Philippines: A Philippine Air Force helicopter carrying six personnel on a disaster-relief mission crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur on Tuesday, killing everyone on board, as Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated large parts of the country with torrential rains and powerful winds. The UH-1H Super Huey helicopter lost radio contact shortly after take-off from Davao de Oro province while en route to deliver aid to typhoon-hit areas. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that search-and-rescue teams located the wreckage in a mountainous forest near Bunawan town, where all six crew members were found dead. “The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission carrying relief goods for communities isolated by the typhoon,” the Philippine Air Force said in a statement. “Recovery and investigation teams have been dispatched to the site to determine the cause of the crash.” The crash occurred as Typhoon Kalmaegi locally named Tino lashed the central and southern Philippines, triggering landslides and floods that have killed at least 66 people nationwide, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Cebu province bore the brunt of the storm, with flash floods submerging entire neighborhoods and landslides cutting off key roads. In some low-lying areas, residents were rescued from rooftops after water levels rose overnight. Kalmaegi made landfall over Samar island late Sunday with sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h, before crossing the Visayas region and moving into the South China Sea on Tuesday. Forecasters warned that the storm could strengthen again as it heads toward central Vietnam. The Philippines, which lies along the Pacific typhoon belt, experiences around 20 tropical storms each year. Scientists have long warned that warmer ocean temperatures may be intensifying the strength of such weather systems. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an immediate review of disaster-response coordination and aviation safety procedures following the fatal helicopter crash. “Our rescue workers risk their lives to help others. We must ensure their safety while they serve the nation,” he said in a televised briefing. As emergency teams continue to clear debris and restore access to isolated areas, authorities have urged residents to remain alert for further flooding, with several dams releasing excess water due to heavy rainfall. Kalmaegi is the deadliest storm to hit the Philippines this year and comes just weeks after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the same region, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Accidents, Helicopter Crash

Six Killed as Philippine Air Force Helicopter Crashes During Typhoon Relief Mission

Aviation Today News Desk / November 6, 2025

Bunawan, Philippines: A Philippine Air Force helicopter carrying six personnel on a disaster-relief mission crashed in the southern province of

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Emirates has announced measurable progress in reducing incidents of unexpected severe turbulence across its global operations through a combination of advanced data-sharing, artificial intelligence, and real-time weather intelligence platforms. The airline said its multi-layered approach developed over the past year has already led to a “significant reduction” in severe turbulence events encountered unexpectedly by its flight crews. The initiatives are designed to enhance passenger comfort and operational safety amid a rise in clear-air turbulence worldwide. According to the carrier’s media release, Emirates has integrated three core systems into its flight operations ecosystem: SkyPath, Lido mPilot, and IATA’s Turbulence Aware platform. SkyPath, a predictive turbulence-detection technology, uses sensor and accelerometer data from aircraft systems and even onboard iPads to identify and report turbulence in real time. The system analyses eddy dissipation rate (EDR) data and combines it with ADS-B signals to improve predictive accuracy. Lido mPilot, developed by Lufthansa Systems, provides Emirates pilots with live graphical overlays of turbulence, weather fronts, and convection zones within their Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications. It allows crews to visualise risk areas instantly and adjust routing decisions while airborne. Meanwhile, Emirates’ participation in the IATA Turbulence Aware programme enables it to contribute to and benefit from a shared, industry-wide database of global turbulence reports. The programme pools anonymised flight data from multiple airlines to create real-time turbulence maps accessible to participating carriers. “While turbulence can never be entirely eliminated, Emirates’ adoption of these predictive and collaborative systems is aimed at minimising exposure to unexpected severe events,” the airline said in its statement. The airline said it will continue refining its predictive systems as part of a wider strategy to use artificial intelligence and data analytics in operational decision-making. The next phase involves deeper integration of real-time turbulence data into dispatch planning and automated weather model calibration. Emirates’ Chief Operations Officer, Adel Al Redha, said the initiative underscores the airline’s commitment to technological innovation and passenger safety. “We are investing in solutions that use the best of science, data, and collaboration to make every flight smoother and safer,” he said.

Airlines

Emirates Uses AI And Real-Time Weather Intelligence To Cut Unexpected Turbulence

Aviation Today News Desk / November 2, 2025

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Emirates has announced measurable progress in reducing incidents of unexpected severe turbulence across its global operations

Florida, United States: A JetBlue Airways flight traveling from Cancún, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, was forced to make an emergency landing in Tampa after a reported flight control malfunction caused a sudden loss of altitude on Thursday afternoon, hospitalizing at least 15 passengers. Flight 1230, operated by an Airbus A320, was en route to Newark Liberty International Airport when it abruptly lost more than 14,500 feet in five minutes, followed by another rapid descent of over 12,200 feet within the next five minutes, according to flight-tracking data cited by Business Insider. The aircraft diverted safely to Tampa International Airport, landing at approximately 2:19 p.m. ET. Emergency medical teams met the plane on arrival and transported injured passengers to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials said the injuries were primarily non-life-threatening. “JetBlue Flight 1230 experienced a flight control issue en route from Cancún to Newark and was diverted to Tampa for a safe landing,” the airline said in a statement. “Customers and crewmembers requiring medical attention were transported to local hospitals. The aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection.” Local authorities confirmed that at least 15 to 20 individuals were evaluated at the scene. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue reported that three passengers suffered head injuries during the event. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it has opened an investigation into the incident, focusing on the reported flight control malfunction that triggered the rapid descent. Weather conditions along the route were reportedly stable, and turbulence has not been cited as a contributing factor. The airline has arranged alternate transportation for the remaining passengers to continue to Newark. The aircraft remains grounded at Tampa International for maintenance checks and data retrieval. While mechanical malfunctions are rare, aviation safety experts note that the sharp altitude loss and subsequent safe landing highlight the importance of pilot training and quick decision-making in emergency scenarios. The FAA and JetBlue’s internal safety team are continuing to investigate the cause of the incident. Preliminary findings are expected within the next several days.

Incidents

JetBlue A320 Plunges 26,000 Feet Midair, Lands Safely in Tampa; 15 Hospitalized

Aviation Today News Desk / November 1, 2025

Florida, United States: A JetBlue Airways flight traveling from Cancún, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, was forced to make an

Air Traffic Controller

13,000 Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid as U.S. Shutdown Deepens, Safety Concerns Rise

Aviation Today News Desk / October 30, 2025

Washington, United States: The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has entered its fourth week, leaving nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers working

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged several regulatory and safety management lapses at Akasa Air following a routine surveillance review covering the April–September 2025 period. The authority has directed the airline to undertake corrective action after identifying “systemic failures” across multiple operational domains. The DGCA’s findings point to irregularities in Akasa Air’s flight safety systems, crew duty-time compliance, and internal safety audits. The regulator reportedly observed repetitive procedural lapses and documentation gaps, including delayed closure of internal audit findings and incomplete reviews of cockpit voice and flight data recorder (CVR/FDR) analyses. The regulator also highlighted discrepancies in the alignment of Akasa Air’s Safety Management System (SMS) manual with departmental manuals governing flight operations and engineering. In addition, not all employees had completed mandatory fatigue management training, which forms a critical component of the DGCA’s flight safety oversight framework. Akasa Air, a Mumbai-based Indian airline that launched commercial operations in August 2022. It was founded by Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh, with substantial backing from renowned investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The airline began operations on August 7, 2022, with its first flight between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The latest regulatory scrutiny comes as the airline continues its network expansion across domestic routes and prepares for future international growth. In its official response, Akasa Air confirmed that it had submitted detailed explanations and corrective action reports to the DGCA within prescribed timelines. The airline said it remains fully committed to maintaining “the highest levels of operational and safety excellence in line with all regulatory requirements.” Akasa also stressed that such surveillance audits are routine across all scheduled airlines and form part of ongoing safety oversight. While the DGCA has not announced any immediate punitive action, the findings reportedly include Level-II safety observations, a category indicating recurring compliance concerns that warrant close monitoring and formal corrective plans. The regulator has sought a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan (CAP) from the airline, including root cause analyses and steps to prevent recurrence.

Airlines

Akasa Air Faces DGCA Scrutiny Over Safety Lapses, Regulator Orders Corrective Steps

Aviation Today News Desk / October 29, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged several regulatory and safety management

Alberton, South Africa: A routine training flight turned into a near-tragedy on Sunday afternoon when a light aircraft crashed into the tuckshop of Hoërskool Alberton in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Both the student pilot and the instructor miraculously escaped without injuries, while no learners or staff at the school were harmed. The aircraft experienced engine failure during a final evaluation flight for a private pilot licence. The instructor attempted an emergency landing on the school’s rugby field, but the plane veered off and struck the school’s tuckshop. Images from the scene showed extensive damage to the small building, with firefighters and emergency responders quickly arriving to secure the crash site. The City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services confirmed that no fire broke out after impact, and both occupants were able to walk away from the wreckage. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the sound of a struggling engine moments before the aircraft went down. “We heard the engine sputter, then a loud thud. It was terrifying,” said a resident living near the school. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has opened an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the reported power loss and assess whether any mechanical or procedural failures contributed to the crash. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said the accident will not disrupt ongoing matric examinations. "We are relieved that there were no casualties. Classes and exams will continue as planned," the department said in a statement. Aviation experts say the outcome was “nothing short of a miracle,” crediting the instructor’s quick decision-making for preventing a greater tragedy in a densely populated area. The aircraft type, registration number, and operator have not yet been disclosed by authorities pending the official SACAA preliminary report. Recent Light Aircraft Crashes in Africa 2025 16 October 2025: Two light aircraft crashed in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region (Howick / Nottingham Road); two pilots died. 13 October 2025: 20-year-old Indian pilot trainee Piyush Pushp died during a solo training flight at Johannesburg in Vulcan Aviation Academy in South Africa. 14 August 2025: A light aerobatic aircraft (Extra 300, registration ZS-AEC) crashed into the sea off Durban North Beach during an airshow; pilot killed (body later found). 7 August 2025: A light aircraft operated by AMREF Flying Doctors (Cessna 560XL) crashed in Mwihoko estate, Kiambu County, Kenya; six people killed (four onboard + two on the ground). 9 June 2025: In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a light aircraft crashed near Greytown during a training flight; three people on board died. 18 May 2025: A light aircraft (Rans S10 Sakota, registration ZS-WXE) crashed shortly after take-off at Middelburg Airfield, Mpumalanga, South Africa; two people died (the pilot and passenger).

Aircraft Crashes

Student Pilot & Instructor Survive After Engine Failure Crash At Hoërskool Alberton

Aviation Today News Desk / October 27, 2025

Alberton, South Africa: A routine training flight turned into a near-tragedy on Sunday afternoon when a light aircraft crashed into

air safety

Chimes Aviation Academy Aircraft Skids Off Runway At Dhana; Solo Pilot Escapes Unhurt

US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Two Missing Pilots In Lake Pontchartrain Crash

DGCA Imposes Penalty On IndiGo For Instrument Flight Procedure Violation At Udaipur

SpiceJet Mumbai–Kolkata Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing After Engine Failure

Six Killed as Philippine Air Force Helicopter Crashes During Typhoon Relief Mission

JetBlue A320 Plunges 26,000 Feet Midair, Lands Safely in Tampa; 15 Hospitalized

13,000 Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid as U.S. Shutdown Deepens, Safety Concerns Rise

Akasa Air Faces DGCA Scrutiny Over Safety Lapses, Regulator Orders Corrective Steps

Student Pilot & Instructor Survive After Engine Failure Crash At Hoërskool Alberton

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