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Pretoria, South Africa: A routine training flight turned fatal on Thursday evening, 19 February 2026, when a light aircraft crashed in the rural Klipgat area of Sofasonke township in the North West Province, killing both the flight instructor and the student pilot on board. The aircraft, operated by Excellentia Airline Academy, went down shortly before 6 p.m., triggering its emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and drawing an immediate response from rescue teams. Emergency responders including the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), paramedics, police and aviation investigators reached the crash site within minutes. Despite swift efforts, both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. Initial field reports have not confirmed a specific cause but early indications suggest that the aircraft may have experienced mechanical difficulties or sudden weather changes, but a full investigation by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is underway to determine the exact cause. Witnesses in the area reported hearing a loud roar in the sky around sunset, followed by smoke rising from the wreckage. The light fixed-wing trainer, a Sling 2 aircraft used for pilot instruction, was on a standard sortie when it went down with only the two pilots on board. Police later confirmed the age of the occupants as 28 and 24 respectively. In an official statement issued after the crash, Excellentia Airline Academy confirmed that one of its training aircraft was involved and that the academy was “devastated by this tragic loss.” The statement noted that it received notification from the ARCC shortly after 6 p.m., and that the SACAA had confirmed the fatalities. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, loved ones, colleagues and fellow students affected by this tragedy,” the academy said. The academy also stated it is fully cooperating with SACAA and other authorities in the ongoing investigation, and requested that speculation regarding the cause be avoided while investigators carry out their work. It added that, “Out of respect for the families, we will not be releasing the names of those involved,” and that support services are being provided to academy staff and students. Family members and community residents gathered near the crash site on Friday, laying floral tributes and paying their respects. Relatives described both young men as passionate about aviation and committed to achieving their professional goals. A relative of the 24-year-old student said his family was “devastated and in shock,” remembering him as a diligent learner with dreams of becoming a commercial pilot. A neighbour of the instructor spoke of him as a committed mentor to younger aspiring pilots in the region. The SACAA has begun detailed investigations, gathering wreckage evidence, flight plans, witness testimony and any available electrical or onboard flight data. A preliminary report is expected to be issued within 30 days of the occurrence, as per regulatory protocol. Flight Training School Incidents in South Africa: 04 February, 2026: A Piper Cherokee 140 (ZS‑XPR) training aircraft departing from Grand Central Airport crashed near Carstenhof Hospital in Glen Austin, Midrand during a training flight. Both the flight instructor and the student pilot on board suffered serious injuries and were rushed to hospital, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. 26 October, 2025: During a morning training flight, a light aircraft suffered engine failure and attempted an emergency landing in a school field, veering into a tuckshop of Hoërskool Alberton in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Both the instructor and student escaped unharmed. 15 October, 2025: Two training aircraft from Aviation Junction Flying School in Secunda, Mpumalanga, took off on routine flights over the KwaZulu‑Natal Midlands. Both aircraft Sling 2 types encountered poor weather with heavy mist and low visibility, lost contact with radio and radar, and later crashed in separate locations near Nottingham Road and Pietermaritzburg. The 26‑year‑old Indian trainee pilot Mayank Prajapati and 35‑year‑old South African pilot Martin Brown were killed in the twin crashes, prompting intensified calls for safety reforms in South Africa’s flight‑training sector. 13 October, 2025: A tragic training accident claimed the life of 20‑year‑old Piyush Pushp, a student from Ranchi, India, while he was undergoing solo flight training at the Vulcan Aviation Institute in Johannesburg. During the solo sortie, the light training aircraft reportedly suffered a sudden technical malfunction mid‑air, leading to a crash shortly after take‑off. 10 June, 2025: The aircraft, operated by Eagle Air Flight School, was part of a trio of light planes flying in a loose formation from an airstrip near Durban toward Pretoria. The group encountered severe weather, including low visibility and turbulence, which led them to divert from their planned refuelling stop in Ladysmith toward Greytown & crashed. Airport emergency responders arrived but all three pilots were killed.

Instructor, Student Pilot Killed In South Africa Training Crash As Safety Concerns Mount

Aviation Today News Desk / February 21, 2026

Pretoria, South Africa: A routine training flight turned fatal on Thursday evening, 19 February 2026, when a light aircraft crashed […]

Incidents

Small Training Aircraft Flips During Emergency Landing Near Madrid, Pilot Uninjured

Aviation Today News Desk / February 20, 2026

Madrid, Spain: A light training aircraft overturned during an emergency landing in a field near the M-407 road in Leganés,

Investigation

Flawed Airspace Design, Oversight Failures Led To Fatal DCA Collision That Killed 67

Aviation Today News Desk / February 18, 2026

Washington, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its final report has concluded that a combination of flawed

Airlines

DGCA Fines Air India ₹1 Crore For Flying A320 Eight Times Without Valid ARC Permit

Aviation Today News Desk / February 16, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation regulator has penalised Air India with a $110,350 (about ₹1 crore) fine after an Airbus

India

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have raised strong objections to newly implemented Flight Duty

London, United Kingdom: The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has formally asked Air India to provide a detailed explanation of an incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that departed London Heathrow Airport on February 1 despite a reported anomaly with a critical aircraft system. The regulator has warned the airline that failure to respond fully within one week could trigger regulatory action affecting its Dreamliner operations. Air India flight AI132, operating a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered VT-ANX, departed Heathrow for Bengaluru after pilots noted irregular behaviour with a fuel control switch, a vital cockpit control that regulates fuel flow to the engines. During engine start, one of the two fuel control switches did not remain positively latched in the “RUN” position on the first two attempts before stabilising on the third. The flight continued without in-air issues and landed in Bengaluru. Upon arrival, the crew filed a defect report citing the anomaly, and the aircraft was grounded for inspection on February 2. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has taken the step of demanding a formal response from Air India, including: A comprehensive account of pre-flight maintenance actions taken before departure, A root-cause analysis of the fuel control switch event, A preventive action plan to reduce the risk of recurrence across Air India’s Dreamliner fleet, which comprises 33 aircraft. In official correspondence, the CAA emphasised that regulators routinely seek detailed explanations following incidents affecting safety-critical components, particularly when an aircraft departs with a potential defect. Air India said it conducted precautionary re-inspections of fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 fleet after the incident and reported no issues found during these checks. The airline acknowledged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversight and said it will comply with the regulator’s guidance to circulate Boeing’s recommended operating procedures for the switches to all flight crews. India’s DGCA also issued a clarification, stating that post-flight inspections determined the fuel switches were serviceable and functioning normally. According to the regulator, the switch may move if light pressure is applied in an incorrect direction, but its design does not indicate a defect when used according to approved procedures. The DGCA advised Air India to reinforce correct switch handling among pilots. Fuel control switches are crucial for aircraft safety. They allow pilots to start and shut down engines and are designed with locking mechanisms to prevent unintended movement. This category of component has been under heightened scrutiny following the June 2025 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 in Ahmedabad, where preliminary investigation reports indicated fuel control switches played a role in dual-engine power loss shortly after takeoff. That accident, which resulted in significant loss of life, triggered industry-wide inspections and close regulatory observation of Boeing 787 systems. Though the final accident report remains pending, aviation authorities worldwide have been monitoring similar technical aspects, including fuel system controls, in current operations. Air India faces a deadline to submit its response to the UK CAA within one week of the February 4 notice. The airline has stressed safety as its utmost priority and reiterated cooperation with international regulators and Boeing in evaluating the matter.

Airlines

UK CAA Seeks Formal Explanation On Air India 787 Fuel Switch Event; DGCA Finds No Fault

Aviation Today News Desk / February 7, 2026

London, United Kingdom: The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has formally asked Air India to provide a detailed explanation of

Delhi, India: Air India has grounded one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft after a pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch mechanism, prompting a detailed inspection and coordination with the airframe manufacturer, Boeing. The aircraft, operating as AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru, landed safely at its destination on February 2, after the flight crew observed abnormal behaviour in the left engine’s fuel control switch during pre-flight engine checks, according to airline officials. In a statement, Air India confirmed that a pilot flagged the issue and the aircraft was immediately taken out of service as a precautionary safety measure while the concern is investigated. The airline has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and engaged Boeing to prioritise a technical evaluation. “After receiving this initial information, we have grounded the aircraft and are involving the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to get the pilot’s concerns checked on a priority basis,” an Air India spokesperson said. The matter has also been formally communicated to India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA. Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel to an aircraft’s engines and are designed with safeguards to prevent unintended movement. On the Boeing 787, these switches must be lifted and then moved to change position, reducing the likelihood of accidental operation. However, if such a switch were to shift from thle “RUN” to the “CUTOFF” position in flight, it would immediately halt fuel flow, leading to engine shutdown. The focus on fuel control switch behaviour stems from the June 12, 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI-171, another Boeing 787-8, near Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. A preliminary investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that both engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF in quick succession just after takeoff, resulting in dual engine power loss. That incident triggered extensive regulatory scrutiny. In July 2025, Air India announced it had completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanism on all Boeing 787-8 aircraft and found no defects at the time. Following the recent pilot report, Air India has begun focused inspections of fuel control switches across its Boeing Dreamliner fleet. According to an internal company communication seen by Reuters, these checks have so far not identified a systemic issue with other aircraft. Air India has reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority. Boeing has said it is assisting with the review.

Airlines

Air India Grounds Boeing 787‑8 LDN–BLR Flight After Pilot Reports Fuel Switch Defect

Aviation Today News Desk / February 3, 2026

Delhi, India: Air India has grounded one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft after a pilot reported a possible defect

Investigation

AAIB Finds Loss Of Control In Go-Around During Chimes Aviation Cessna 172 Accident

Aviation Today News Desk / January 28, 2026

Dhana, India: A preliminary investigation report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has detailed how a Cessna 172S

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issuing a record number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs), reflecting rapid expansion in pilot training activity amid growing air travel demand. According to an official statement released by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the DGCA issued 1,628 commercial pilot licenses in 2024, the highest number recorded in any year in the history of Indian civil aviation. The figure represents an increase of more than 2.5 times compared with eight years earlier, underscoring the sector’s growth trajectory. The ministry’s release provided a multi-year breakdown of CPL issuances, showing the progression of licenses granted over recent years. In 2018, the DGCA issued 640 CPLs, followed by 744 in 2019 and a dip to 578 in 2020. Numbers rebounded to 862 in 2021 and climbed further to 1,165 in 2022 and 1,622 in 2023 before reaching the current high. The surge in pilot licensing occurs against the backdrop of India’s expanding aviation market, where fleet growth and rising passenger demand have placed increasing emphasis on pilot recruitment pipelines. Analysts and industry officials have highlighted that airlines will require tens of thousands of additional pilots over the next decade to support fleet expansion and maintain operational schedules. Beyond licensing, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in its release that it maintained active oversight of airline fare levels throughout 2024, leveraging real-time data and coordination with carriers and online travel agencies. During IndiGo operational disruption in December, the ministry invoked regulatory powers to enforce fare caps and guard passengers against opportunistic pricing. Civil aviation stakeholders said the record issuance of CPLs reflects both increased capacity at flying training organisations and more streamlined processes via the DGCA’s digital licensing platform. However, industry leaders continue to stress the need for enhanced infrastructure, cost-efficient training pathways and strategic policy support to fully leverage the growing pool of qualified pilots.

Pilots

DGCA Records India’s Highest-Ever CPL Issuance With 1,628 Licenses Issued In 2024

Aviation Today News Desk / January 23, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Portland, United States: A federal court in Portland, Oregon, has sentenced 58-year-old New Delhi businessman Sanjay Kaushik to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to illegally export sensitive aviation components from the United States to Russia in violation of U.S. export control laws. The sentence was handed down on January 15, 2026, and is to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. Kaushik, who was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, remained in U.S. custody throughout the legal proceedings and pleaded guilty on October 9, 2025, to one count of conspiracy relating to the sale and attempted export of aviation technology with dual civilian and military applications to Russian end users. According to the official U.S. In a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, Kaushik and his co-conspirators began their activities in September 2023 by purchasing aviation technology and components, including an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) , a navigation and flight-control device from an Oregon-based supplier. Such pieces of technology are subject to strict export licensing under the U.S. Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations due to their potential military use and strategic importance. To dodge these controls, Kaushik’s group falsely asserted that the AHRS and other materials were destined for use in civilian helicopters in India, operated by his India-based company. Prosecutors established that the ultimate goal was to ship the technology through India to Russian end users, a move that would have directly violated U.S. sanctions and national security safeguards. Federal authorities intervened before the shipment could leave U.S. soil and detained the AHRS, effectively blocking the illegal export. U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford described the operation as “a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial gains, and coordination with foreign co-conspirators, including sanctioned Russian entities.” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg emphasized that individuals who seek to circumvent export laws, especially for technologies with potential military applications, “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Kaushik faced a federal grand jury indictment returned on November 20, 2024, on three counts related to conspiracy, attempted illegal export, and making false statements in connection with an export. At sentencing, the court took into account his guilty plea and cooperation, but highlighted the serious national security implications of the conduct. Legal analysts say the case underscores the rigorous enforcement of U.S. export control regulations, particularly amid heightened global tensions and sanctions against Russia. The DOJ and related enforcement agencies have signaled that they will continue to pursue individuals and entities that attempt to bypass controls designed to prevent sensitive technologies from reaching prohibited destinations. Kaushik’s sentence of 30 months, while significantly less than the maximum statutory penalty that could have exceeded several years, reflects both the gravity of the offence and the discretion exercised by the court. Upon release, he will be subject to three years of supervised freedom under U.S. oversight.

Investigation

Delhi Businessman Jailed 30 Months In US For Illegal Export Of Aviation Parts To Russia

Aviation Today News Desk / January 20, 2026

Portland, United States: A federal court in Portland, Oregon, has sentenced 58-year-old New Delhi businessman Sanjay Kaushik to 30 months

Aviation Compliance

Small Training Aircraft Flips During Emergency Landing Near Madrid, Pilot Uninjured

Flawed Airspace Design, Oversight Failures Led To Fatal DCA Collision That Killed 67

DGCA Fines Air India ₹1 Crore For Flying A320 Eight Times Without Valid ARC Permit

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

UK CAA Seeks Formal Explanation On Air India 787 Fuel Switch Event; DGCA Finds No Fault

Air India Grounds Boeing 787‑8 LDN–BLR Flight After Pilot Reports Fuel Switch Defect

AAIB Finds Loss Of Control In Go-Around During Chimes Aviation Cessna 172 Accident

DGCA Records India’s Highest-Ever CPL Issuance With 1,628 Licenses Issued In 2024

Delhi Businessman Jailed 30 Months In US For Illegal Export Of Aviation Parts To Russia

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