Airport Incident Archives - Page 2 of 4

Newark, United States: A United Airlines widebody aircraft struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States on Sunday, raising fresh safety concerns over low-altitude approaches above busy highway infrastructure. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400 operating from Venice, Italy, which made contact with roadside infrastructure while descending toward Runway 29 at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time on May 3, 2026. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities, the aircraft’s landing gear and underside struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike, a major highway that runs adjacent to the airport’s approach path. The impact caused the light pole to collapse, with debris subsequently striking a passing Jeep on the roadway. Despite the mid-air contact with ground objects, the aircraft continued its approach and landed safely, later taxiing to the gate without further incident. All 221 passengers and 10 crew members onboard were unharmed, airline officials confirmed. However, the driver of the tractor-trailer sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries, primarily cuts from broken glass, and was transported to hospital and is being released. Authorities reported minor structural damage to the aircraft, including impact to a tire and the underside of the fuselage. Emergency responders, including the New Jersey State Police and Port Authority personnel, attended the scene promptly. Airport officials conducted runway inspections for debris, and normal operations resumed shortly afterward. The truck involved in the collision was reportedly transporting goods to an airport facility at the time of the incident. Runway 29 at Newark is known for its low-altitude approach over the New Jersey Turnpike, where aircraft routinely pass just above vehicular traffic before touchdown. "Our maintenance team is evaluating damage to the aircraft," said a United spokesperson. "We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched formal investigations into the incident. The NTSB has directed the airline to secure critical evidence, including the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), and has deployed investigators to Newark. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, according to officials.

United Airlines Jet Hits Pole & Truck On Approach In Newark; Truck Driver Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / May 4, 2026

Newark, United States: A United Airlines widebody aircraft struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer during its final approach to […]

Adelaide, Australia: A fatal light aircraft crash at Parafield Airport on April 29 has left two people onboard dead and at least 11 individuals injured on the ground after the aircraft struck a hangar during a landing attempt and erupted into flames. The incident triggered a major emergency response, with authorities launching an investigation into the cause of the crash. Further details have emerged following the fatal light aircraft crash at Parafield Airport, with investigators and authorities providing new insights into the sequence of events, victims, and aircraft operation. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed the aircraft involved was a Diamond DA42 Twin Star conducting a training flight at the time of the accident. The flight was engaged in circuit training, a standard procedure involving repeated take-offs and landings. According to investigators, the aircraft had completed multiple circuits before the crash occurred during the approach phase. Authorities confirmed that two occupants were onboard a student pilot and a flight instructor and both were killed. Reports indicate the student pilot was a Japanese national, while the instructor was an Australian national, Police further confirmed the victims were men aged 24 and 29 respectively. Preliminary findings suggest that after turning onto final approach, the aircraft descended steeply and impacted terrain before colliding with a hangar, leading to a high-intensity fuel-fed fire. The aircraft was destroyed on impact. Data indicates no distress call was made prior to the crash, and investigators are now examining wreckage, flight path data, and operational factors. According to aviation database records from Aviation Safety Network, the aircraft was associated with Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), one of the major flight training organisations operating at Parafield Airport. In an official statement, Adelaide Airport Limited, which manages Parafield Airport, said emergency services responded immediately to the incident. The airport operator confirmed the crash involved a light aircraft impacting a hangar, resulting in fatalities and multiple injuries on the ground. The statement added that the airport was closed temporarily, emergency protocols were activated, and support was being provided to those affected. The airport authority also stated it is cooperating fully with investigators. Initial reports indicated that at least 11 people were injured in the crash; however, subsequent official updates clarified that 10 people were injured on the ground, including one with life-threatening burns, two with serious injuries, one with minor injuries, and six affected by smoke inhalation. The ATSB has deployed a team of specialists to the crash site to conduct a detailed examination, focusing on aircraft systems, engine performance, flight path, and human factors. Investigators will also analyse maintenance records and training procedures as part of the probe. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks, while a final report may take several months.

Aircraft Crashes

Student Pilot & Instructor Killed As Training Aircraft Hits Hangar At Parafield Airport

Aviation Today News Desk / April 30, 2026

Adelaide, Australia: A fatal light aircraft crash at Parafield Airport on April 29 has left two people onboard dead and

New Delhi, India: A ground collision between two commercial aircraft operated by SpiceJet and Akasa Air at Indira Gandhi International Airport has prompted a regulatory investigation, after both planes sustained damage during taxi operations on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 PM at Terminal 1, involving a SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 (VT-SLB) arriving from Leh and an Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 scheduled to operate flight QP1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the SpiceJet aircraft was taxiing into its designated parking bay after landing when its right winglet struck the left horizontal stabiliser (tail section) of the Akasa aircraft. The Akasa aircraft had already been pushed back from its bay and was positioned for engine start, effectively stationary at the time of impact. Preliminary findings indicate that the SpiceJet aircraft had been cleared by air traffic control to taxi toward bay No. 106 after confirming separation from the Akasa aircraft. However, during the manoeuvre, the aircraft reportedly executed a turn without wing walker clearance, leading to contact between the two planes. Flight tracking data and initial reports suggest the SpiceJet jet was pulling into the gate, while the Akasa aircraft was in pushback or preparing to taxi out for departure. The collision resulted in visible structural damage to both aircraft: SpiceJet: Right winglet damaged Akasa Air: Left-hand horizontal stabiliser damaged The winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft briefly lodged into the Akasa aircraft’s tail section following impact. No injuries were reported. All passengers and crew onboard the Akasa aircraft were safely disembarked, and the airline arranged alternate travel for passengers bound for Hyderabad SpiceJet described the incident as a “ground occurrence while taxiing”, confirming that its aircraft has been withdrawn from service pending checks. Akasa Air stated that its aircraft was stationary when the contact occurred, and confirmed that all standard safety protocols were followed after the incident. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a detailed investigation into the incident. The probe will examine ground handling procedures, ATC instructions, aircraft separation standards, and taxi coordination protocols.

Incidents

SpiceJet Jet Hits Stationary Akasa Aircraft At Delhi Airport, DGCA Orders Probe

Aviation Today News Desk / April 17, 2026

New Delhi, India: A ground collision between two commercial aircraft operated by SpiceJet and Akasa Air at Indira Gandhi International

Nashville, United States: A 25-year-old male passenger was arrested at Nashville International Airport after allegedly inappropriately touching a minor onboard a commercial flight, according to authorities. The incident occurred on April 4, 2026, with airport police responding to a possible sexual assault call at Gate C24 around 6:30 PM, shortly after the aircraft arrived. According to an arrest affidavit, the alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, told authorities she was asleep during the flight when she felt the accused passenger touching her leg. The suspect, identified as Brandon Starr, allegedly continued moving his hand further up her leg as she pretended to remain asleep out of fear. The girl eventually began crying, which alerted the cabin crew. Flight attendants intervened and contacted authorities, triggering a police response upon arrival at the gate. Airport officers who boarded the aircraft described the teenager as “visibly distraught and crying” when they made contact. Based on her statement and condition, police detained Starr at the gate immediately after landing and took him into custody. The accused was charged with misdemeanor assault and was later released after posting bail. He is scheduled to appear in court following the incident. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the airline, flight number, or route of the aircraft involved. However, the incident occurred onboard a flight arriving at Nashville, one of the busiest airports in Tennessee.

Incidents

Passenger Arrested At Nashville Airport After Alleged Mid-Air Assault On Teen Girl

Aviation Today News Desk / April 8, 2026

Nashville, United States: A 25-year-old male passenger was arrested at Nashville International Airport after allegedly inappropriately touching a minor onboard

Incidents

United Nigeria Grounds Two Aircraft After Jet Blast Damage & Bird Strike Incident

Aviation Today News Desk / March 30, 2026

Lagos, Nigeria: United Nigeria Airlines faced significant operational disruption after two separate incidents, a jet blast-induced ground accident and a

Airports

Drone Strike Triggers Fire At Kuwait International Airport Amid Escalating Gulf Crisis

Aviation Today News Desk / March 25, 2026

Kuwait City, Kuwait: A drone strike targeting fuel storage infrastructure at Kuwait International Airport triggered a fire on Wednesday, marking

Incidents

Singapore Airlines Plane Clips Spirit Aircraft During Taxi At Newark, No Injuries

Aviation Today News Desk / March 5, 2026

New Jersey, United States: A Singapore Airlines aircraft clipped the tail of a Spirit Airlines jet while maneuvering on the

Incidents

SunExpress B737 With 181 Onboard Suffers Landing Gear Collapse While Taxiing At Antalya

Aviation Today News Desk / February 16, 2026

Antalya, Turkey: A Boeing 737-800 passenger jet operated by Turkish leisure airline SunExpress experienced a significant landing gear failure while

Airlines

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

Aviation Today News Desk / February 11, 2026

London, United Kingdom: Three British Airways cabin crew members were hospitalized after consuming sweets containing a high dose of marijuana

Incidents

Starsky Plane With 55 Onboard Skids Into Sea After Emergency Landing In Somalia

Aviation Today News Desk / February 11, 2026

Mogadishu, Somalia: A passenger aircraft carrying 55 people safely evacuated after veering off the runway and ending up on a

Airport Incident

United Airlines Jet Hits Pole & Truck On Approach In Newark; Truck Driver Injured

Student Pilot & Instructor Killed As Training Aircraft Hits Hangar At Parafield Airport

SpiceJet Jet Hits Stationary Akasa Aircraft At Delhi Airport, DGCA Orders Probe

Passenger Arrested At Nashville Airport After Alleged Mid-Air Assault On Teen Girl

United Nigeria Grounds Two Aircraft After Jet Blast Damage & Bird Strike Incident

Drone Strike Triggers Fire At Kuwait International Airport Amid Escalating Gulf Crisis

Singapore Airlines Plane Clips Spirit Aircraft During Taxi At Newark, No Injuries

SunExpress B737 With 181 Onboard Suffers Landing Gear Collapse While Taxiing At Antalya

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

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