Aviation Incident Archives

São Paulo, Brazil: A LATAM Airlines Airbus A320 was evacuated late on Thursday after a fire broke out in ground-handling equipment during pre-departure operations at São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), forcing 169 passengers to leave the aircraft as a safety precaution. According to LATAM, the incident occurred while the aircraft was preparing for a scheduled service to Porto Alegre. The fire did not originate from the aircraft itself but from third-party baggage-loading equipment positioned near the fuselage. Smoke from the blaze prompted the flight crew to activate emergency evacuation procedures. Passengers exited the aircraft using both the boarding bridge and emergency evacuation slides. Airport fire and rescue teams responded immediately and contained the fire within minutes. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. LATAM stated that all affected passengers were provided with assistance following the evacuation. Of the 169 onboard, 159 passengers were re-accommodated on flights the following morning, while the remaining travellers were assisted through alternative arrangements, including ground transport. As a precaution, refuelling operations for other aircraft at the airport were temporarily suspended for about 10 minutes while emergency crews secured the area. Normal airport operations resumed shortly after the situation was declared under control. The airport operator and LATAM have both confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire involving the ground-handling equipment. The airline reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest priority and that it is cooperating fully with authorities. Guarulhos International Airport is Brazil’s busiest aviation hub, handling hundreds of domestic and international flights daily. While ground-equipment fires are rare, aviation safety experts note that such incidents highlight the importance of strict maintenance and monitoring standards on the ramp.

169 Evacuated As Ground Equipment Catches Fire Near LATAM Aircraft At GRU At Sao Paulo

Aviation Today News Desk / December 6, 2025

São Paulo, Brazil: A LATAM Airlines Airbus A320 was evacuated late on Thursday after a fire broke out in ground-handling […]

Auckland, New Zealand: An Airbus A320‑Neo operated by Air New Zealand (Flight NZ249) experienced an uncommanded engine shutdown mid‑flight last year, due to a defective fire‑switch, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) confirmed in its interim report released on 4 December 2025. The incident occurred on 1 December 2024, when the aircraft was en route from Wellington to Sydney. Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, the No. 2 engine unexpectedly shut down following activation of the overhead fire‑switch despite no pilot input. The crew declared a mayday and safely diverted to Auckland Airport, with all 154 passengers and crew unharmed. TAIC’s report identifies internal damage to the fire‑switch mechanism as the primary cause. A retaining pin inside the switch had bent, reducing the latching security and allowing vibration or normal operation to trigger the switch inadvertently. Inspections revealed that the panel surrounding the switch also showed signs of deformation, further contributing to the uncommanded activation. “The fire‑switch is designed to be manually operated only in case of an actual engine fire,” TAIC noted. “Its activation without pilot input posed a significant safety risk.” The commission also highlighted that the same fire‑panel design is used across the global A320 fleet indicating that other aircraft could potentially be affected. The switch manufacturer had issued service bulletins in late 2024 recommending inspection of previously repaired panels, but those checks focused on visually detectable external damage. Following the ANZ incident, Airbus expanded its guidance to inspect all affected fire‑panels for any signs of deformation within 1,000 flight cycles. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has since issued an Airworthiness Directive mandating such inspections and, where necessary, replacement of defective panels. Air New Zealand reportedly removed suspect panels from its fleet in early December 2024. On 28 November 2025, Airbus triggered another major safety action ordering a global recall of approximately 6,000 A320‑family aircraft, following a serious mid‑air flight‑control issue linked to corruption of flight‑control data under intense solar radiation. In a statement, Airbus described the recall as “precautionary,” urging all operators worldwide to apply an immediate software rollback (or, where required, hardware modifications) before affected aircraft are flown again. This recall reportedly the largest in Airbus’s 55‑year history affects over half of the global A320 fleet and has already prompted airlines across the U.S., Europe, Asia and beyond to ground jets for urgent software updates.

Investigation

Air NZ A320-Neo Suffered Uncommanded Engine Shutdown Due to Faulty Fire-Switch: TAIC

Aviation Today News Desk / December 4, 2025

Auckland, New Zealand: An Airbus A320‑Neo operated by Air New Zealand (Flight NZ249) experienced an uncommanded engine shutdown mid‑flight last

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched a formal investigation after it was found to have operated eight commercial flights without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The lapse was discovered during a routine night‑halt inspection by an engineer, who noticed the aircraft’s ARC had expired. The certificate is mandatory to ensure the aircraft meets maintenance and safety standards before any flight. DGCA officials confirmed the aircraft had flown eight “revenue sectors” on 24–25 November 2025, despite the absence of a valid ARC. Flying without this certificate is considered a serious compliance violation as it directly pertains to flight safety. Following the discovery, DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft and suspended all personnel responsible for approving its release to service pending the outcome of the investigation. The regulator has also instructed Air India to conduct an internal compliance audit to identify systemic gaps and prevent future lapses. In a statement, Air India acknowledged the incident, calling it “regrettable.” The airline said it self-reported the breach to DGCA, suspended the staff involved, and initiated its own internal investigation. It reaffirmed its commitment to strict safety and regulatory compliance. Operating an aircraft without a valid airworthiness certificate poses significant safety risks and could potentially impact insurance coverage for the aircraft, including hull, liability, and passenger insurance. It has been described as a Level‑1 violation, the most serious type of compliance failure concerning aircraft safety standards. The aircraft was part of the former Vistara fleet, which merged with Air India in late 2024. After the merger, DGCA renewed ARCs for 69 of 70 aircraft. The 70th aircraft, which later operated eight sectors, had undergone an engine change, during which its ARC expired. Despite this, it was mistakenly released into service. DGCA’s inquiry will determine whether penalties, fines, or further actions against responsible personnel are warranted. Air India’s internal investigation will also examine systemic compliance gaps and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.

Investigation

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

Aviation Today News Desk / December 3, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched

Tiruchirappalli, India: A Dubai-bound Air India Express flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Tiruchirappalli International Airport on Monday after the crew detected a technical malfunction shortly after take-off. The aircraft landed safely after remaining airborne for nearly two hours as part of standard safety procedures. No injuries were reported. The aircraft, operating as Flight IX 611, departed Trichy at around 1:55 PM, carrying approximately 152 people onboard, after a brief delay from its scheduled departure time of 12:45 PM. Soon after take-off, pilots reported a technical snag and immediately entered a holding pattern over the Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai airspace to burn excess fuel before attempting a safe landing. After circling for nearly two hours, the aircraft touched down safely at 3:53 PM, triggering emergency protocols at the airport. Fire and rescue services remained on standby as a precautionary measure. Airport sources said 11 passengers were offloaded following the return. The remaining 135 travellers, along with six crew members, were shifted to another aircraft through a one-to-one transfer process. Air India Express has not yet disclosed the exact nature of the technical fault. Officials confirmed that a detailed investigation will be conducted in line with aviation safety protocols. Airport authorities stated that the incident was handled efficiently and that passenger safety was never compromised. Several passengers reportedly contacted relatives after noticing the aircraft was not gaining cruising altitude, sparking momentary concern before the safe landing was confirmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the technical report once it is submitted by the airline.

Incidents

Dubai-Bound Air India Express Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing At Trichy After Snag

Aviation Today News Desk / December 2, 2025

Tiruchirappalli, India: A Dubai-bound Air India Express flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Tiruchirappalli International Airport on

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

Investigation

AAIA Issues Initial Findings On Deadly Emirates 747 Runway Excursion In Hong Kong

Aviation Today News Desk / November 19, 2025

Hong Kong, China: Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has released its preliminary findings into last month’s fatal runway

India: A trainer aircraft belonging to Salem based Ekvi Air Training made an emergency landing on the Tiruchi–Pudukkottai National Highway on 13 November 2025 after a technical fault. The Cessna 172 was on a routine training flight from Salem when the pilot noticed the issue. Both the pilot and trainee escaped unharmed, and traffic on the highway was briefly affected. Local police secured the area, and the DGCA has launched an investigation into the incident. Ekvi Air Training was placed in Category C in the DGCA’s first-ever Flying Training Organisation (FTO) ranking, indicating below-average performance across operational efficiency, safety, compliance, and student support. The regulator has instructed Category C institutions to submit improvement plans ahead of the next ranking cycle in April 2026.

Incidents

Trainee Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing on Highway After Technical Snag, DGCA Probes

Aviation Today News Desk / November 13, 2025

Tamil Nadu, India: A small trainer aircraft from the Salem-based Ekvi Air Training made an emergency landing on the Tiruchi–Pudukkottai

Airports

Bomb Threat Email To IndiGo Sparks High Alert, Security Tightened At 5 Major Airports

Aviation Today News Desk / November 13, 2025

New Delhi, India: A bomb threat email sent to IndiGo Airlines on Tuesday sparked a high-security alert across five major

Airlines

Mother Sues Qatar Airways For $5M Over Alleged Negligence In Child’s Allergy Case

Aviation Today News Desk / November 13, 2025

Virginia, United States: A North Carolina mother has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Qatar Airways, alleging that the airline’s

Tbilisi, Georgia: A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20 military personnel onboard, according to Turkish and Georgian authorities. The aircraft was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it went down in the Kakheti region near the Azerbaijan–Georgia border. The Lockheed C-130, a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft, reportedly lost contact with air traffic control shortly after entering Georgian airspace. Witnesses in the Sighnaghi Municipality described seeing the plane on fire before it crashed into hilly terrain. Rescue teams from Georgia’s Emergency Management Service and Turkish military units launched a joint search and recovery operation, later confirming that no survivors were found among the 20 people onboard. Georgia’s Interior Ministry said debris was scattered across a wide area, indicating the aircraft may have broken apart mid-air before impact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with both countries cooperating on a joint technical inquiry. Preliminary assessments suggest the aircraft might have experienced an in-flight fire or catastrophic mechanical failure, though officials have not yet confirmed this. The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the tragedy, stating,“We have lost 20 of our heroic personnel aboard a military transport plane during duty. Search and rescue efforts have been completed in coordination with Georgian authorities.” Turkey has dispatched a high-level investigation team to Georgia, including defence and aviation safety experts, to coordinate recovery and analysis efforts. The governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia both expressed solidarity with Turkey. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev conveyed condolences to Erdoğan, stating,“We share the sorrow of our Turkish brothers and stand by them in this difficult time.” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also confirmed his country’s full cooperation with Turkish officials in the investigation, adding that emergency response units “arrived at the site within minutes of reports of the crash.” The downed C-130 was reportedly an older model that had served in the Turkish Air Force for decades. The aircraft type, known for its durability and versatility, is used globally for military transport and humanitarian aid missions.

Aircraft Crashes

All 20 Onboard Killed As Turkish Military C-130 Cargo Plane Crashes In Eastern Georgia

Aviation Today News Desk / November 12, 2025

Tbilisi, Georgia: A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20

Aviation Incident

169 Evacuated As Ground Equipment Catches Fire Near LATAM Aircraft At GRU At Sao Paulo

Air NZ A320-Neo Suffered Uncommanded Engine Shutdown Due to Faulty Fire-Switch: TAIC

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

Dubai-Bound Air India Express Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing At Trichy After Snag

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

AAIA Issues Initial Findings On Deadly Emirates 747 Runway Excursion In Hong Kong

Trainee Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing on Highway After Technical Snag, DGCA Probes

Bomb Threat Email To IndiGo Sparks High Alert, Security Tightened At 5 Major Airports

Mother Sues Qatar Airways For $5M Over Alleged Negligence In Child’s Allergy Case

All 20 Onboard Killed As Turkish Military C-130 Cargo Plane Crashes In Eastern Georgia

Follow Us

Quick Links

Navigate

General Support

News Desk Support

Follow Us