Flight Safety Information - June 23, 2025 No. 124 In This Issue : Incident: United B772 at Washington on Jun 21st 2025, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Asiana A333 at Seoul on Jun 21st 2025, engine problem : Incident: Smartwings B38M near Bratislava on Jun 18th 2025, suspected fuel leak : Golfier Balloons G32-13000 - Fatal Accident (Brazil) : Air traffic controllers in Florida briefly lost radar after fiber optic line was cut : Air India warned over ‘serious violations’ of pilot oversight : IndiGo Trainee Pilot Alleges Caste Abuse by Colleagues : EASA Pulls Back On Single-Pilot Ops : The U.S. Has Issued 'Serious' Travel Warnings for 4 Countries : Passengers face disruption as airlines cancel flights to key airport hubs after US bombings of Iran : Five people taken to hospital from RDU after turbulence on American Airlines flight : Calendar of Events Incident: United B772 at Washington on Jun 21st 2025, engine shut down in flight A United Boeing 777-200, registration N798UA performing flight UA-803 from Washington Dulles,DC (USA) to Tokyo Narita (Japan), was climbing out of Dulles' runway 01R when the crew stopped the climb at 4000 feet reporting one of the engines (PW4090) had badly overheated on takeoff, they had shut the engine down. The crew consulted with dispatch to decide whether to dump or burn off fuel or land overweight. After holding the crew advised they expected a normal landing, would vacate the runway and wanted emergency services to follow them to the gate. The aircraft landed safely on runway 01R about one hour after departure, vacated the runway and taxied to the apron. A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration N78001 reached Tokyo with a delay of about 7 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Washington about 25 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=52963c59&opt=0 Incident: Asiana A333 at Seoul on Jun 21st 2025, engine problem An Asiana Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration HL8286 performing flight OZ-108 from Seoul (South Korea) to Tokyo Narita (Japan) with 263 people on board, was climbing out of Seoul's runway 34R when the crew stopped the climb at 4000 feet due to problems with one of the engines (PW4168). The aircraft entered a hold and returned to Seoul for a safe landing on runway 34L about 45 minutes after departure. Ground observers reported the left hand engine emitted sparks and smoke on initial climb. https://avherald.com/h?article=5296386a&opt=0 Incident: Smartwings B38M near Bratislava on Jun 18th 2025, suspected fuel leak A Smartwings Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration OK-SWF performing flight QS-2635 (dep Jun 17th) from Antalya (Turkey) to Prague (Czech Republic), was enroute at FL360 about 100nm southsoutheast of Bratislava (Slovakia) in Hungarian Airspace when the crew decided to divert to Bratislava reporting they suspected a fuel leak. The aircraft landed safely on Bratislava's runway 31 about 20 minutes later. The airline reported technical reasons for a suspected fuel leak, the aircraft landed in Bratislava at about 01:00L. Hotel capacities in Bratislava were fully booked, hence the company recommended to take the bus or train from Bratislava to Prague for fastest onward transportation, the tickets would be fully reimbursed. https://avherald.com/h?article=52958750&opt=0 Golfier Balloons G32-13000 - Fatal Accident (Brazil) Date: Saturday 21 June 2025 Time: c. 08:18 LT Type: Golfier Balloons G32-13000 Owner/operator: Sobrevoar Registration: BR-MEA3 MSN: 67 Fatalities: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 21 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Location: about 5 km NE of Praia Grande, SC - Brazil Phase: En route Nature: Passenger Departure airport: Destination airport: Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Golfier Balloons G32-13000 caught fire in the air and crashed about 5 km northeast of Praia Grande, Santa Catarina. At least eight of the twenty-one occupants perished and the balloon was destroyed. The incident occurred around 8:18 am, when the Santa Catarina Military Fire Department (CBMSC) was called by telephone 193 to respond to a fire involving a hot air balloon. The first team to arrive at the scene, coming from Sombrio, found the balloon basket on fire on the side of the PRG-411 road, on a slope. Next to the burning structure, there were four fatal victims. In addition to the Arcanjo-01 aircraft, a search began in a wider radius since the impact and the dispersion of victims indicated a highly serious scenario. Of the victims, 13 were removed alive before the arrival of rescue teams. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/521250 Air traffic controllers in Florida briefly lost radar after fiber optic line was cut Air traffic controllers in Florida briefly lost their radar Friday after a fiber optic line was cut, but the outage didn’t lead to disruptions like what happened after similar outages around the Newark, New Jersey, airport this spring. Controllers were able to continue directing planes across five states in the Southeast because a backup system kicked in immediately as designed. The Federal Aviation Administration said no flights were disrupted. The FAA said the radar center in Jacksonville, Florida, continued operating but on alert status because its primary communication line went down. A contractor was working on repairing the severed fiber line Friday afternoon. Authorities didn’t specify what caused the severed line or where it happened. The FAA said the outage was momentary, but when air traffic controllers in a different facility in Philadelphia lost radar twice this spring it took 90 seconds for their systems to reboot after the system went down. In that case, the backup system didn’t work immediately. Those outages led to major disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because five controllers went on trauma leave afterward, and that facility in Philadelphia directs planes in and out of the airport. Hundreds of flights had to be canceled in Newark because the remaining controllers couldn’t safely handle every flight on the schedule. Operations at the airport have since improved significantly An FAA spokesperson said there was “no loss of critical air traffic service” in Jacksonville because the backup system kicked in. That center is responsible for planes flying across roughly 160,000 square miles (414,000 square kilometers) of airspace across most of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. The problems in Newark were blamed on the failure of aging copper wires that much of the nation’s air traffic control system still relies on. Transportation officials said the Newark problems demonstrated the need for a multimillion-dollar overhaul of the system that they are lobbying Congress to approve. https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-faa-air-traffic-control-radar-outage-e9ddd49aa10f3af6b9006291c67ff43d Air India warned over ‘serious violations’ of pilot oversight India’s aviation safety watchdog has ordered the suspension of three senior executives At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. India’s aviation safety watchdog has criticised Air India for “repeated and serious violations” of pilot duty time regulations and has ordered the removal of three senior officials involved in crew scheduling. In an order given on 20 June, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told the Tata Group-owned airline to immediately strip a divisional vice-president, a chief manager of crew scheduling, and a planning executive of all responsibilities related to rostering. It also instructed the airline to begin disciplinary proceedings against them without delay. The order raised concerns over “repeated and serious violations voluntarily disclosed by Air India concerning flight crew being scheduled and operated despite lapses in licensing, rest, and recency requirements”. “Of particular concern is the absence of strict disciplinary measures against key officials directly responsible,” it said. These breaches came to light during a post-transition review of the airline’s switch between two different software systems for managing its crew scheduling, according to the Press Trust of India. India’s aviation safety watchdog has pulled up Air India for ‘repeated and serious violations’ of pilot duty time regulations Two specific instances of non-compliance, on flights from Bengaluru to London on 16 May and 17, exceeded the 10-hour maximum flight duty limit for pilots, Reuters reported. The airline has been instructed to move the three officials to non-operational roles until corrective reforms in scheduling practices are completed, and to ensure that they do not hold any position with direct influence over flight safety or crew compliance until further notice. Air India confirmed in a statement that it had implemented the regulator’s order. “In the interim, the company’s chief operations officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices,” the airline said. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that regulators had warned Air India for flying three Airbus aircraft without conducting timely checks on emergency escape slide equipment. The airline is facing heightened scrutiny following the 12 June crash of a London-bound flight shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board at least 29 on the ground. Experts from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau are investigating the crash with assistance from US and UK authorities, as well as officials from Boeing. The 12 June crash of a London-bound flight killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground (Reuters) Over the last week, dozens of Air India flights were delayed, diverted, or cancelled amid heightened safety checks ordered by the DGCA. As part of efforts to stabilise operations in the wake of the Ahmedabad crash, Air India on Thursday announced a temporary reduction in its international flight schedule. Between 21 June and 15 July, the airline will suspend flights to three overseas destinations and cut services on 16 international routes. The move, according to the airline, is aimed at restoring schedule reliability and minimising last-minute disruption for passengers. This follows an earlier statement that wide-body flight operations would be reduced by 15 per cent over the same period. Air India was taken over by Tata Sons in 2022, returning the airline to private hands nearly 70 years after it was nationalised. The $2.4bn deal to offload the debt-laden public carrier represented a full-circle moment for the airline, which began as Tata Air Services in 1932. Since the acquisition, the airline has placed orders for hundreds of new aircraft worth over $70bn, unveiled new livery, absorbed Tata’s other airline ventures and committed millions to upgrading older planes and digital systems. https://www.the-independent.com/asia/india/air-india-pilot-oversight-warning-b2774860.html IndiGo Trainee Pilot Alleges Caste Abuse by Colleagues In addition to the verbal abuse, Kumar reported systematic workplace discrimination. GURUGRAM— A trainee pilot at IndiGo Airlines (6E) has filed a serious complaint alleging caste-based abuse by fellow employees in the workplace. The incident reportedly occurred during his training period, with multiple allegations of verbal insults and workplace discrimination. Sharan Kumar, the complainant, alleges that senior colleagues used derogatory language aimed at his caste background, including remarks that he was unfit to fly and should “go back and stitch slippers.” A police case has been registered under laws protecting Scheduled Castes. A trainee pilot at IndiGo Airlines (6E) has filed a serious complaint alleging caste-based abuse by fellow employees in the workplace. IndiGo Pilot Alleges Discrimination According to the official police complaint, Sharan Kumar, a trainee pilot at IndiGo Airlines, was subjected to repeated casteist slurs by three colleagues—Tapas Dey, Manish Sahani, and Rahul Patil. The alleged verbal abuse took place at IndiGo’s training facility in Gurugram, near Delhi Airport (DEL). Kumar’s father, Ashok Kumar, filed the complaint on his behalf, citing multiple offensive statements made in front of other employees. These included remarks such as “you are not fit to fly an aircraft” and “go back and stitch slippers,” a reference to caste-based occupational stereotypes. One of the accused reportedly said, “You’re not even worthy to lick my shoe,” directly attacking the pilot’s caste identity. These statements, according to the complaint, were designed to demean and exclude Sharan Kumar from professional opportunities. The language used allegedly violated multiple provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as well as relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Claims of Retaliatory Workplace Actions In addition to the verbal abuse, Kumar reported systematic workplace discrimination. He was allegedly forced into corrective training despite having no performance issues. Further claims include: • Unwarranted salary deductions and denial of legitimate sick leave • Revocation of staff travel privileges and ACM (Additional Crew Member) access • A warning letter issued without supporting documentation • Continuous psychological pressure to resign • These actions, according to the complaint, appear retaliatory in nature and contributed to a hostile work environment. Lack of Internal Action Sharan Kumar had escalated his concerns to IndiGo’s CEO and the airline’s Ethics Committee. However, as per the complaint, no disciplinary action was taken against the accused, and the discriminatory behavior continued unchecked. The Gurugram police have initiated an investigation into the complaint. Legal proceedings are ongoing under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the BNS, with authorities examining evidence and recording statements. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/23/indigo-trainee-pilot-alleges-caste-discrimination/#google_vignette EASA Pulls Back On Single-Pilot Ops Agency says even the most modern flight decks are not sophisticated enough to fill in for one pilot. The European Aviation Safety Agency says even the most modern airliner flight decks aren’t smart enough to act as pilots so it’s backing off creating regulations to allow for single-pilot operations. In a report released Friday, the agency said it’s pausing its investigation into new regs until the electronics are brought up to the level of safety achieved by having two human pilots on the flight deck in all phases of flight. Before it will reconsider regs for extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), EASA says flight decks have to have systems in place for workload management, pilot health and status, security threat awareness and various autonomous safety backups. Each one of those systems will have to be exhaustively tested before getting in the air with passengers. The decision effectively slams the brakes on work toward a policy framework for single-pilot ops. Rather than starting a rulemaking process for eMCO, it’s made consideration of new rules part of its “smart cockpit” definition and development. It’s not clear how big an impact this will have on the potential implementation of single-pilot ops since airframers are already working on the tech that EASA says is missing. Nevertheless, the news will undoubtedly be welcomed by pilot unions, which see the efficiency the regulators and airframers say they’re trying to achieve as a direct threat to air safety and their jobs. Capt. Tanja Harter, president of the European Cockpit Association, said her group will continue to campaign against any crew reduction attempts. “Two qualified, well-rested pilots—four eyes, two brains—is a system that works,” she said. https://avweb.com/aviation-news/easa-pulls-back-on-single-pilot-ops/ The U.S. Has Issued 'Serious' Travel Warnings for 4 Countries The U.S. State Department has issued a number of travel warnings in June, but only four have risen above the standard Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions level. The United States regularly updates its list of travel warnings in the State Department database. The travel warnings range from Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions to Level 4: Do Not Travel. In June alone, we've had 10 travel warnings updated on the state department's website. However, only four of them have risen above the Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions level. The U.S. State Department is warning against travel to four notable countries in the month of June. The U.S. State Department has issued four "serious" travel warnings in June: Israel: Level 4, Do Not Travel Dominican Republic: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution India: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution Mozambique: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution India is perhaps the most notable country on the list. The U.S. issued the travel warning due to "crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk." The U.S. State Department issued the following warning for those traveling to India: Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target: The Dominican Republic can be a popular travel destination for Americans, too. However, it's been increased to a Level 2: Exercise Increased Precautions warning. The warning was updated due to crime. "Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic despite more police presence in areas often visited by tourists. Do not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals from online in secluded locations," the alert states. The U.S. issued the following safety tips: Pay attention to your surroundings. Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract attention. Be vigilant about where your phone is and avoid using it openly on the street. If robbed, hand over your personal belongings without resisting. Travel with a partner or group if possible. Do not leave food or drinks unattended. Mozambique was previously Level 3. "Updated to reflect change in overall travel advisory level from 3 to 2 due to decrease of election related protests, and addition of Niassa Special Reserve to Do Not Travel section," the State Department announced. "Exercise increased caution when traveling to Mozambique due to health issues, crime, civil unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have greater risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory." You can view the full list of travel advisories here. https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-issued-serious-travel-warnings-183612724.html Passengers face disruption as airlines cancel flights to key airport hubs after US bombings of Iran Several airlines canceled flights to the Middle East after the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities. Qatar Airways also warned of schedule changes after airspace closures led to detours. Rising oil prices will further cut into airline profits. Thousands of passengers have seen their flights canceled, and many more will face longer journeys, after the conflicts in the Middle East escalated over the weekend. Singapore Airlines, Air France, and British Airways are among the airlines to cancel flights to the likes of Dubai and Doha, Qatar, since the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday. The cities are major travel hubs. Dubai International is ranked as the world's busiest for international passenger traffic, and Qatar's Hamad International is the 10th. BA Flight 109 was on its way to Dubai during the strikes. Data from Flightradar24 shows it U-turned over Saudi Arabia and diverted to Zurich in a nine-hour journey. Meanwhile, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada had started suspending some flights to the region in the days before Saturday's attacks. Even for those routes that haven't faced cancellations, flights will take longer. That's because they can no longer fly over Israel, Iran, and Iraq, which closed their airspaces after Israel launched a missile attack on Iran on June 13. Flightradar24 data showed that the Air France flights were taking up to an hour longer as they flew over Egypt and Saudi Arabia instead. Qatar Airways, which is still operating flights, said in a statement on X that the situation "will require some schedule changes to strengthen the connectivity in Doha." Like Dubai's Emirates, its business model counts on harnessing its geography to link destinations around the world via its home base — so longer flight times would make connections tighter for passengers. The airline was named the world's best at the Skytrax Awards during last week's Paris Air Show, after CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer had to pull out to focus on "our operational responsibilities due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East." "It feels incredibly strange not to be there," he said in a video message. "In over a decade with our airline and airport, I've never missed a Skytrax ceremony." Longer detours will also cut into airlines' profits by requiring more fuel. The conflict could further raise oil prices as Iran considers closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the ocean. Iran has suggested it could launch retaliatory strikes on US military bases in the region, which would likely force further travel disruption. https://www.yahoo.com/news/passengers-face-disruption-airlines-cancel-103631742.html Five people taken to hospital from RDU after turbulence on American Airlines flight Raleigh-Durham International Airport confirms five people were taken to WakeMed after experiencing turbulence on an RDU-bound American Airlines flight. Raleigh-Durham International Airport confirms five people were taken to WakeMed after experiencing turbulence on an RDU-bound American Airlines flight. An RDU spokesperson told WRAL News RDU fire and rescue personnel, along with Wake and Durham EMS, responded to a plane arriving from Miami around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. The plane experienced turbulence, officials said. https://www.wral.com/news/local/five-hospitalized-turbulence-rdu-american-airlines-june-2025/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . NTSB set hearing date in Boeing 737-9 plug door incident investigation - June 24, 2025 . Gulf Flight Safety Association (GFSA) Conference, June 25 & 26 2025 Riyadh Air Headquarters . Airborne Public Safety Association -APSCON / APSCON Unmanned 2025 in Phoenix, AZ | July 14-18, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines . 2025 PROS IOSA SUMMIT - SEPT 10-11 - Denver, CO · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis