aviation investigation Archives

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Investigations into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack, Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said in a statement carried by the UAE's state news agency. According to the UAE Attorney-General, the co-pilot had begun executing his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck with the aircraft's crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft's flight controls. The statement marks the UAE's first official confirmation that the incident was a planned terrorist act rather than simply an in-flight altercation. The investigation remains ongoing. Al Shamsi said authorities are examining the full circumstances of the incident, the motive and any related links, while also completing technical examinations and analysing physical and digital evidence. He said the final findings will be announced after all necessary procedures are completed. Flight FZ1073 was operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on September 30 when the cockpit incident occurred. The Boeing 737 was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia and landed safely. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the security incident was brought under control after members of the crew intervened. Several crew members were injured and taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia. The captain has been identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar. According to the UAE Attorney-General's account, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit with a crash axe before attempting to seize control of the aircraft. Reports from the incident described Machchhar as sustaining serious injuries during the confrontation. Despite being injured, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to enter and help restrain the co-pilot. Two reserve pilots who were travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk. Flight-tracking data showed a sharp descent during the cockpit struggle before the aircraft was stabilised. The aircraft also transmitted an emergency code associated with unlawful interference during the incident. The UAE GCAA later commended Captain Machchhar, the flight crew and passengers for their response, saying their swift intervention helped contain the situation and prevent more serious consequences. The authority said Machchhar had returned safely to the UAE and was receiving medical treatment. The identity of the co-pilot has not been officially released by UAE authorities. However, multiple international media outlets have identified him as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, citing sources familiar with the investigation. Reuters reported that two sources familiar with the investigation identified the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami, while UAE authorities had not immediately confirmed his identity. Media reports have also raised questions about his previous aviation history. Reuters and other outlets have reported that he had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged extremist views. Those reports remain part of the wider investigation and should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by the relevant authorities. The UAE began its investigation immediately after the incident. On October 1, Attorney-General Al Shamsi ordered a specialised Public Prosecution team to investigate the incident in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority and other UAE authorities. At that stage, authorities specifically directed investigators to determine whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity or purpose, or involved prior planning or direction. The UAE also warned against speculation and unverified reports while the investigation was under way. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under the UAE flag. It said UAE law therefore applies to crimes committed aboard the aircraft even when they occur outside UAE territory. The ministry also acknowledged Saudi authorities' cooperation in handling the incident. The latest statement from Al Shamsi now establishes the central finding of the investigation so far: the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act and had begun executing his plan during the flight. Authorities, however, have not yet publicly established the motive or disclosed whether he acted alone or had any wider connections. Following the incident, flydubai suspended its flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv. The suspension remains in place while the investigation continues. Flydubai initially confirmed that FZ1073, operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport on September 30, had experienced an incident while en route. The airline said the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk and that all passengers were safe and accounted for, while its teams worked with the relevant authorities. The airline has said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation and that it is cooperating with the authorities. The suspension of Israel services was implemented as investigators examined the security incident and its wider implications. The investigation involves multiple authorities across three countries. In the UAE, the Public Prosecution is leading the criminal investigation in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other competent authorities. Saudi authorities, including the National Transport Safety Center, conducted the initial investigation after the aircraft landed in Tabuk, with UAE security officials also involved. Separately, Australian authorities, through the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, are examining the co-pilot's links to Australia. The investigation into the motive, circumstances and any wider connections remains ongoing.

UAE Confirms Flydubai Co-Pilot Attempted Planned Terrorist Act On On FZ1073 Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / October 5, 2026

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Investigations into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to

Investigation

TAIC Identifies Q300 Flight-System And Crew Monitoring Issues In 2023 Incident

Aviation Today News Desk / October 1, 2026

Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has found that an Air New Zealand Q300 descended about

Investigation

ATSB Releases Preliminary Reports Into Four Sydney Airport Safety Incidents

Aviation Today News Desk / September 30, 2026

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on 30 September 2026 released preliminary reports into four aircraft coordination and

Investigation

AAIB Flags Garg Aviation Monitoring Gaps After Two Killed In Kanpur Training Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / September 29, 2026

Kanpur, India: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has found that Garg Aviation did not comply with prescribed flight-data monitoring

Aircraft Crashes

Two Onboard Killed After Experimental Zenith CH701 Aircraft Crashes In Neosho, Missouri

Aviation Today News Desk / September 8, 2026

Missouri, United States: Two people were killed after a small experimental aircraft crashed near Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri, on

Investigation

South Korean Police Refer 7 Officials To Prosecutors Over Jeju Air Crash Localizer Claims

Aviation Today News Desk / August 27, 2026

South Korean police have referred seven Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport officials to prosecutors over allegations that they knowingly

Honolulu, United States: Honolulu police are investigating the death of 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant Jenny Lupton, who was found dead at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikīkī, Honolulu, on August 20, 2026, while on a work layover. Authorities have not determined how she died, and the Honolulu Police Department has urged the public to rely on verified information while the investigation continues. According to the Honolulu Police Department, an unattended death investigation was opened in Waikīkī on August 20 involving Lupton. The department's Homicide Detail is handling the case and is working with her family. Police said detectives are conducting interviews, reviewing and recovering surveillance video and examining evidence. HPD said, "At this time, no conclusions have been made regarding the manner of death." The department also said, "This is a thorough investigation that will take time." Police added that certain information will be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation and that the public would be notified if detectives identify an immediate threat to public safety. Lupton, who was from Moore, Oklahoma, had worked for Southwest Airlines for 29 years, according to her family. She was also a mother to a 15-year-old son. Family members described her as outgoing, funny and deeply connected to those around her. Her niece Hannah Lupton followed her into the aviation industry and said Jenny had influenced her decision to become a flight attendant. Lupton was in Hawaii for work and had reportedly planned to remain on the islands for several days before returning home. Her family said she was familiar with Hawaii and had visited the islands multiple times. The circumstances surrounding her death became the focus of attention after her body was discovered near a dumpster at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The U.S. Sun reported that a hotel employee found her at about 6 a.m. on August 20. Lupton's family was later contacted by the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner and told that she appeared to have fallen from the balcony of her 24th-floor hotel room. That reported fall has not been established by HPD as the official manner of death. The police department has specifically said that no conclusion. Lupton's family has raised questions about the circumstances and said they do not believe she intentionally harmed herself. Her sister, Tresa Lupton, told the media that Jenny had been communicating with the family shortly before her death and appeared to be enjoying her time in Hawaii. "She just went out with one of her flight attendant friends, and they danced and had a good time". The family has questioned the timeline surrounding Lupton's death and said it wants investigators to establish exactly what happened between her last known activities and the discovery of her body. "The timeline doesn't make sense, and we are afraid that maybe there was foul play," Tresa said. The family has also reportedly been told that numerous surveillance cameras cover the area around the hotel. Reports citing hotel security said police were reviewing footage from more than 70 cameras. However, authorities have not publicly said whether anyone witnessed Lupton's fall or released surveillance findings. Tresa said the family was initially left with questions about what had happened and was seeking more information from authorities. She described her reaction to learning of her sister's death as one of disbelief. "I was in disbelief and trying to not believe what I was experiencing," Tresa said. "But I still can't believe it. It doesn't seem real." Lupton's family has also remembered her for her personality and close relationships. Her niece Hannah said Jenny was a major influence on her own aviation career, while other relatives described her as someone who made friends easily and brought energy to social gatherings. "She was truly the best aunt anyone could have asked for," Hannah said. "She was the light of every party, the person who could make a room brighter simply by being in it." Another niece, Sarah Lupton, described Jenny as "the funniest person I know" and said she had "a really big heart." Southwest Airlines confirmed that Lupton died during a layover in Hawaii and said it was supporting her family and coworkers while cooperating with authorities. "The Southwest Airlines family is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague," the airline said. "We have offered our condolences and support to the Employee’s family and co-workers and are engaged with local authorities as they investigate." For now, investigators have not publicly classified Lupton's death as an accident, suicide or homicide. HPD said its detectives are continuing interviews, reviewing surveillance footage and examining evidence. The department has also asked the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed information while the investigation remains active. The case therefore remains open, with the official cause and manner of death still pending.

Incidents

Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Found Dead During Hawaii Layover, Probe Underway

Aviation Today News Desk / August 25, 2026

Honolulu, United States: Honolulu police are investigating the death of 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant Jenny Lupton, who was found

Milan, Italy: A baggage cart carrying checked luggage caught fire at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy on Sunday, August 16, shortly before the baggage was due to be handled for a British Airways flight to London Heathrow, prompting airport firefighters to intervene and damaging a small number of passengers' bags. The incident occurred on the airport apron and did not involve a fire onboard the aircraft. The fire involved an Aviapartner baggage-handling cart at Milan Malpensa. The handling company operates ground services at the airport, and the cart had just completed baggage handling associated with a British Airways flight arriving from London when it caught fire. Initial reports focused on the possibility of a lithium-ion battery inside one of the bags, but subsequent airport-source information pointed to an electrical fault in the ground vehicle instead. The incident was captured on video by former BBC journalist Jon Sopel, who was at Malpensa waiting to travel on British Airways flight BA585 from Milan to London Heathrow. The footage showed dense black smoke rising from the baggage container, with flames visible around the luggage. Ground personnel moved other baggage containers away from the burning unit to prevent the fire from spreading before airport fire crews arrived. The aircraft associated with BA585 was an Airbus A321neo registered G-NEOT, powered by two CFM International LEAP-1A32 engines. The scheduled route was Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), with British Airways operating the service under flight number BA585. The fire occurred before the affected luggage could create a fire risk inside the aircraft. The burning baggage unit remained on the ground and was dealt with by airport emergency crews. The other containers were moved away from the fire, helping prevent the flames from spreading to additional baggage or equipment. Firefighters extinguished the blaze rapidly using water. British Airways confirmed that some passengers' checked baggage was damaged. In a statement, the airline said: “We’re aware of a small number of checked bags that were damaged by fire while on the ground at Milan Malpensa Airport. The incident was quickly dealt with, and there were no injuries or impact to any flights.” The airline added: “We’ve been in contact with the small number of customers whose bags are affected to apologise and provide support. We are working closely with our partners, and an investigation is underway to establish the cause.” That statement is significant because it confirms that the fire affected checked baggage on the ground but did not result in injuries or a fire onboard the aircraft. It also shows that British Airways had not initially announced a confirmed cause and was relying on an investigation with its ground-handling partners. The investigation remained underway, while British Airways confirmed that only a small number of checked bags were damaged and that there were no injuries.

Incidents

British Airways BA585 Baggage Cart Carrying Checked Luggage Catches Fire At Milan

Aviation Today News Desk / August 18, 2026

Milan, Italy: A baggage cart carrying checked luggage caught fire at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy on Sunday, August 16,

Muan, South Korea: South Korean police on August 11 raided the state-run Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation as investigators widened their probe into the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport that killed 179 people in December 2024. The searches were carried out by a special police investigation team seeking additional evidence over suspected professional negligence resulting in death or injury and possible failures by government agencies and other bodies responsible for airport safety and operations. Police said the investigation is examining both the cause of the December 29, 2024 crash and whether relevant authorities properly performed their duties. A police official said 45 people are currently facing suspicions of professional negligence resulting in death or injury, while investigators are also considering whether charges linked to causing a serious public disaster could be applied. The latest searches targeted KAC, which operates most of South Korea’s major airports except Incheon International Airport, along with the Transport Ministry and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation. The action marks another major phase in a criminal investigation that has continued for more than a year as investigators examine decisions surrounding Muan Airport’s construction, safety oversight, airport infrastructure and the response to the crash. The crash involved Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 operating from Bangkok to Muan. The aircraft was carrying 181 people when it attempted an emergency landing at Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024. After a bird-strike-related emergency, the aircraft landed without its landing gear deployed, slid along the runway and struck a concrete structure supporting a localizer antenna before breaking apart and catching fire. Only two crew members survived, while 179 passengers and crew members were killed. The criminal investigation has increasingly expanded beyond the aircraft itself to possible institutional and infrastructure failures. Police have been examining events dating back to the construction of Muan Airport in 1999 to determine whether decisions made during the airport’s development created conditions that contributed to the disaster. In February 2026, the special investigation team raided the Busan Regional Office of Aviation and a company involved in construction at Muan Airport, seeking evidence connected to possible contributing factors. At that stage, police had booked 45 people on suspicion of occupational negligence and were examining whether the Serious Accidents Punishment Act’s provisions concerning a serious public disaster could apply. The investigation was further expanded in March, when police raided the Transport Ministry to obtain additional material concerning the crash and the conduct of government agencies. Investigators specifically examined whether officials responsible for aviation navigation and airport operations had properly carried out their duties. Police said the probe was looking for factors dating back to the beginning of Muan Airport’s construction. A major development came in March 2026 when South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection identified serious shortcomings in the approval and management of airport safety infrastructure. The state auditor found that the Transport Ministry had approved 14 non-compliant localizer installations at eight airports, including Muan, and that some installations had been certified as meeting frangibility requirements despite not doing so. The audit identified 30 cases of wrongdoing or procedural failure, including shortcomings in bird-strike prevention and aviation safety management. At Muan, investigators found that a 2.4-metre-high concrete embankment supporting the localizer had been built partly to reduce construction costs because the terrain around the runway and Runway End Safety Area was sloped. The Board of Audit and Inspection said the structure had been approved by the Transport Ministry in 2003 without an adequate vulnerability assessment. Korea Airports Corporation later requested a review of the structure in 2007, but no changes were made. The structure was subsequently reinforced during a modernization project between 2019 and 2024. International aviation standards call for localizer installations in areas exposed to aircraft impact to be designed so that they can break apart rather than present a rigid obstacle. The state audit found that the ministry had continued to certify such installations and approve inspections that incorrectly indicated compliance for periods extending as long as 22 years. The Transport Ministry said it “humbly accepted” the audit findings and said it would take strict follow-up measures, including improvements to localizer structures and stronger bird-strike prevention. Korea Airports Corporation also said it was implementing improvements recommended in the audit. The infrastructure findings have become particularly significant because a separate government-commissioned simulation examined what might have happened had the concrete embankment not been present at the end of the runway. The simulation, cited in January 2026 reporting, suggested the outcome could have been substantially different without the rigid structure. The findings intensified scrutiny of how the localizer installation was designed and approved. The criminal probe is also unfolding alongside a renewed examination of the accident investigation itself. In May 2026, President Lee Jae Myung visited Muan International Airport after additional human remains were discovered during renewed recovery operations more than a year after the crash. He called for a thorough reinvestigation and criticised shortcomings in the original recovery process. “Given the size and condition (of the additional remains), they should not have been overlooked,” Lee said, adding that “the lax handling of the scene was clearly a problem.” He also instructed officials to consider using outside experts for the reinvestigation. The renewed investigation followed concerns that the original recovery operation had not fully recovered victims’ remains and that officials lacked adequate procedures and oversight. The discovery of additional remains prompted the government to revisit not only the recovery process but also the wider handling of the disaster. The technical investigation into the crash had earlier established evidence of a bird strike. A preliminary accident report released in January 2025 found feathers and blood stains in both engines of the Boeing 737-800. DNA testing identified the remains as Baikal teals, migratory ducks that winter in South Korea. The report, however, did not establish that the bird strike alone caused the crash. It also noted that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder stopped recording about four minutes before impact, leaving critical portions of the final sequence unavailable. The preliminary investigation said authorities would conduct further examinations of the engines, recorders, air traffic control data, bird-strike evidence and the localizer structure. Subsequent reporting in July 2025 cited a source familiar with the investigation as saying there was “clear evidence” that the pilots shut down the less-damaged engine after the bird strike. However, that finding was part of the continuing technical investigation and was disputed by victims’ families, who questioned aspects of the investigation and its transparency. The crash therefore remains under examination on several fronts: the bird strike and resulting aircraft systems problems, the sequence of cockpit decisions, the loss of recorder data, the runway and airport infrastructure, the approval and maintenance of the localizer structure, bird-strike prevention, regulatory oversight and the actions of government agencies before and after the accident. The August 11 raids represent the latest step in the separate criminal investigation into potential responsibility and negligence. Police are now seeking additional records from the organisations responsible for airport operation, aviation oversight and infrastructure, while considering whether the conduct of officials and other responsible parties could amount to professional negligence or a serious public disaster offence. The full accident investigation has yet to provide a final public account resolving all outstanding questions surrounding the crash. The latest police action, coming after the state audit findings and the government's renewed examination of the crash site, places greater focus on whether failures in airport design, regulatory approval, safety oversight or emergency response contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

Investigation

Jeju Air Crash Probe Widens As South Korean Police Raid KAC, Transport Ministry

Aviation Today News Desk / August 11, 2026

Muan, South Korea: South Korean police on August 11 raided the state-run Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), the Ministry of Land,

New Delhi, India: Air India’s A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, including three hydraulic-system failures, an autopilot disconnect and a flight-control stall warning before suddenly losing around 300 feet in altitude, according to information reported by PTI, citing sources. The aircraft encountered turbulence during the August 4 incident, which left 17 people injured. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo registered VT-EXO, was cruising from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi when the sudden altitude loss occurred. According to PTI, the autopilot disconnected during the flight, after which the co-pilot manually regained control. A flight-control stall warning then appeared, while several indicator switches briefly went off. Sources also told PTI that the aircraft experienced multiple other technical and mechanical glitches alongside the turbulence. The latest information indicates that the aircraft experienced three separate hydraulic failures. Hydraulic systems use pressurised fluid to operate critical aircraft components, including flight-control systems, making the reported failures a significant part of the ongoing investigation. The crew managed to stabilise the aircraft and subsequently continued the flight to Delhi, where it landed safely. Air India said the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise before stabilising and continuing normally to Delhi. The flight carried 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. At least 17 people, 13 passengers and four crew members were reported injured and taken for medical evaluation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the occurrence as a serious incident under ICAO Annex 13, which governs aircraft accident and incident investigations. The aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been secured for examination as investigators work to establish what triggered the altitude loss and the reported technical problems. Airbus has confirmed that it is sending specialists to India to provide technical assistance to the investigation. The manufacturer said it was supporting the relevant investigating authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) is also joining the investigation because the A320 is manufactured in France. Teams from Airbus and BEA are expected to assist the AAIB as investigators examine the aircraft and recorded flight data. The latest technical findings remain preliminary and have not been established as the final cause of the incident. The reported triple hydraulic failures and other malfunctions are based on sources cited by PTI; they are not yet findings formally released by the AAIB. The investigation is continuing, with technical specialists expected to examine the aircraft’s systems and recorded data before any conclusions are reached. A separate line of investigation concerns the pilot-in-command’s post-flight psychoactive-substance screening. The Civil Aviation Ministry said an initial screening result was “not negative” and required confirmatory laboratory testing. The pilot’s sample was subsequently sent for further analysis, and the final confirmatory result was still awaited in the latest reports. The ministry has not disclosed what substance, if any, was indicated by the initial screening. The distinction is important because an initial “not negative” screening result does not by itself establish drug use. The pilots’ body, ALPA India, has said that commonly used over-the-counter medicines can also produce a non-negative result in psychoactive-substance screening. The confirmatory laboratory test is therefore expected to determine whether the initial result was caused by a prohibited substance or another factor. Both pilots have been taken off flying duties pending the investigation, according to reporting on the ministry’s action. Air India has said it was aware that post-flight screening had been conducted under applicable procedures but had not initially been informed of the results. The final laboratory findings remain an important part of determining whether the screening result has any connection to the August 4 occurrence. The incident was initially widely described as a severe-turbulence event after passengers and crew were thrown from their seats during the sudden altitude change. The newer information from PTI, however, adds a series of reported technical malfunctions including autopilot disconnection, a flight-control stall warning, briefly extinguished indicators and three hydraulic failures to the investigation. Whether these issues caused, contributed to or merely coincided with the altitude loss remains to be established by the AAIB probe. For now, the cause remains officially undetermined. Investigators are examining the aircraft’s systems, flight-recorded data, cockpit recordings and other evidence, with Airbus and France’s BEA assisting the AAIB. The outcome of the pilot’s confirmatory psychoactive-substance test is also awaited. Until those investigations are completed, the reported technical failures and the initial screening result should not be treated as established causes of the incident.

Airlines

Air India A320neo Reportedly Suffered Three Hydraulic Failures During Phuket-Delhi Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / August 11, 2026

New Delhi, India: Air India’s A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, including

aviation investigation

UAE Confirms Flydubai Co-Pilot Attempted Planned Terrorist Act On On FZ1073 Flight

TAIC Identifies Q300 Flight-System And Crew Monitoring Issues In 2023 Incident

ATSB Releases Preliminary Reports Into Four Sydney Airport Safety Incidents

AAIB Flags Garg Aviation Monitoring Gaps After Two Killed In Kanpur Training Crash

Two Onboard Killed After Experimental Zenith CH701 Aircraft Crashes In Neosho, Missouri

South Korean Police Refer 7 Officials To Prosecutors Over Jeju Air Crash Localizer Claims

Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Found Dead During Hawaii Layover, Probe Underway

British Airways BA585 Baggage Cart Carrying Checked Luggage Catches Fire At Milan

Jeju Air Crash Probe Widens As South Korean Police Raid KAC, Transport Ministry

Air India A320neo Reportedly Suffered Three Hydraulic Failures During Phuket-Delhi Flight

Quick Links

Navigate

General Support

News Desk Support