Flight Safety Information - July 18, 2025 No. 143 In This Issue : 16 July 2025 - Ethiopian Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 accident : Boeing 737-724 (WL) - Pressurization Problem (Chicago) : Trump nominating former Delta pilot to international aviation post : ANA 787 Pilots Denied Landing Clearance at Frankfurt Airport : Brentwood man charged with impersonating firefighter amid LA wildfires, pointing laser at aircraft : How much liquids you can bring onto airplane may be next TSA rule change. What to know : Plane bound for Detroit Metro Airport diverted due to passenger trying to open exit door mid-flight : Man Goes Berserk on American Airlines Flight Over a Charging Cable : Gulf Air orders 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners : SkyWest Airlines flight from Omaha to Detroit diverted to Cedar Rapids due to "unruly passenger" : Calendar of Events : TODAY'S PHOTO 16 July 2025 - Ethiopian Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 accident Date: Wednesday 16 July 2025 Time: c. 13:51 LT Type: Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 Owner/operator: Ethiopian Airlines Registration: ET-AUZ MSN: 4574 Engine model: P&W Canada PW150 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 55 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Category: Accident Location: Mekele Airport (MQX/HAMK) - Ethiopia Phase: Landing Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Addis Ababa-Bole Airport (ADD/HAAB) Destination airport: Mekele Airport (MQX/HAMK) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Ethiopian Airlines flight ET298, a DHC-8-402Q Dash 8, suffered a runway excursion during landing at Mekele Airport. Two crew members were injured. The accident reportedly occurred during the third attempt to land in heavy rain. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/527641 Boeing 737-724 (WL) - Pressurization Problem (Chicago) Date: Wednesday 16 July 2025 Time: c. 11:15 LT Type: Boeing 737-724 (WL) Owner/operator: United Airlines Registration: N24736 MSN: 28803/380 Year of manufacture: 1999 Engine model: CFMI CFM56-7B Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Category: Incident Location: near Chicago-O’Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD) - United States of America Phase: Initial climb Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD) Destination airport: Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, FL (SRQ/KSRQ) Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: United airlines flight UA1316, bound for Sarasota (SRQ), declared an emergency shortly after departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on July 16, 2025. The Boeing 737-700, registered as N24736, returned to ORD after approximately 20 minutes in the air. The crew reported a low-pressure warning in engine number two, prompting the immediate diversion. The flight was originally scheduled to land in Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) but returned to ORD without incident. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/527557 Trump nominating former Delta pilot to international aviation post WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is nominating former Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), opens new tab pilot Jeffrey Anderson to serve as U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the White House said on Thursday, in a move opposed by a major airline pilots' union. The nomination comes as some U.S. senators want the Trump administration to advocate at the Montreal-based U.N. civil aviation body for raising the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 65 to 67. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. The United States has not had a permanent ambassador at ICAO since July 2022 when C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed an Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab A320 on New York's Hudson River in 2009 after hitting a flock of geese, stepped down. The Air Line Pilots Association, a union which represents more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines, criticized Trump's nomination of Anderson, calling him unqualified. "It appears that Mr. Anderson’s only real qualification for the post is his support of a position – raising the mandatory pilot retirement age – that would leave the United States as an outlier in the global aviation space and create chaos on pilot labor, and international and domestic flight operations," the union said in a statement. Last year, Congress rejected a push to raise the mandatory airline pilot retirement age to 67 from 65. International rules prevent airline pilots older than 65 from flying in most countries outside the U.S. The White House defended Anderson's nomination in a statement, noting he was a decorated veteran naval aviator with decades of experience as a pilot for Delta and a negotiator for ALPA "who will deliver on President Trump’s vision of aviation safety for the American people at ICAO." ICAO plays a key role in global aviation safety. While it has no policing powers, ICAO uses consensus to set standards on everything from runways to seat belts. The agency was created after the United States invited more than 50 allies to agree in 1944 to a common air navigation system. The 193-nation body will hold its triennial assembly from September 23 to October 3 this year. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/trump-nominating-former-delta-pilot-international-aviation-post-2025-07-18/ ANA 787 Pilots Denied Landing Clearance at Frankfurt Airport Earlier interventions from en-route controllers or pilots adjusting their cruise speeds could have helped prevent the situation. FRANKFURT— A recent incident involving All Nippon Airways (ANA, IATA: NH) flight NH203 from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) has reignited debate on Frankfurt Airport’s (FRA) rigid night curfew. The Boeing 787-9 was forced into a missed approach just 18 seconds before the 05:00 AM curfew lifted, despite a safe and early arrival. Discover Airlines pilot Ori Gross flagged this event, highlighting the operational and environmental consequences of strictly enforced curfews, which, in this case, caused added fuel burn, increased emissions, and elevated pilot workload. A recent incident involving All Nippon Airways (ANA, IATA: NH) flight NH203 from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) has reignited debate on Frankfurt Airport's (FRA) rigid night curfew. ANA Pilots Denied Landing at FRA Frankfurt Airport (FRA), operated by Fraport AG, enforces one of Europe’s strictest night flight bans, completely prohibiting scheduled take-offs and landings between 23:00 and 05:00. The objective is to reduce aircraft noise during residents’ sleeping hours. However, the rigidity of this rule was underscored on July 3, 2025, when ANA’s NH203 from Tokyo Haneda (HND) approached Frankfurt slightly ahead of schedule due to favorable winds. Despite efforts by Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS), the air traffic controller on duty, to delay the aircraft via speed reductions, NH203 was still minutes early. The pilot of Discover Airlines, Ori Gross, who was preparing for a separate flight, observed these interactions while monitoring tower frequencies. At precisely 04:59:42—just 18 seconds shy of the 05:00 threshold—Frankfurt Tower issued the mandatory go-around: “ALLNIPPON 203, GO AROUND.” This directive is non-negotiable for pilots and was promptly executed, sending the aircraft back into the airspace to reattempt landing later, ironically, creating more noise than a direct landing would have caused. How ATC and Pilots Navigate Curfew Constraints At Frankfurt, aircraft are typically vectored to a 20 nautical mile final approach. With a Boeing 787-9’s approach speed of about 153 knots, this allows approximately 7-8 minutes for air traffic control to adjust for compliance with curfew rules. However, with only about 20 knots of flexibility in speed instructions, this equates to a mere 48 seconds of leeway—an impractically narrow margin to influence arrival timing precisely. Earlier interventions from en-route controllers or pilots adjusting their cruise speeds could have helped prevent the situation. In fact, both ATC and flight crews have real-time access to Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) data, whether through internal systems or publicly available platforms like Flightradar24. Yet, despite all technological aids, the chain of decisions and flight dynamics led to NH203 being a few minutes early. The flight’s actual duration was 13 hours 57 minutes, considerably faster than its scheduled 14 hours 40 minutes, mainly due to strong tailwinds. Thus, despite taking off three minutes late from Tokyo Haneda, the aircraft’s early arrival became a regulatory dilemma rather than a success in operational efficiency. Environmental and Operational Impact of the Go-Around This strict curfew enforcement paradoxically led to the very issues it aims to prevent. The immediate aftermath of the go-around included: An additional 16 minutes of flight time. An extra 1,900 kg of jet fuel burned. Increased CO₂ emissions. Elevated noise levels during the go-around maneuver over Frankfurt. Heightened workload for a fatigued flight crew after nearly 14 hours of flight. Unnecessary stress for passengers, some of whom may never have experienced a go-around before. The supposed protection against nighttime noise resulted in a louder and more disruptive outcome. This contradiction calls into question the practicality of applying such curfews without flexibility or contextual judgment. Similar Incidents Spark Broader Concerns This wasn’t an isolated case. In 2024, Eurowings (EW) flight EW8531 from Alicante (ALC) to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) missed the Berlin night curfew by a mere 10 seconds. The Airbus A320 was denied landing, forced to go around, and subsequently diverted to Hannover Airport (HAJ), nearly 40 minutes away. These repeated incidents reveal systemic rigidity where the law, though well-intentioned, lacks adaptability. Night curfews are crucial for community well-being, but their inflexible enforcement can backfire operationally, environmentally, and economically. The Need for Regulatory Flexibility and Common Sense This event, highlighted by Ori Gross, surfaces a critical question for aviation regulators and policymakers: Have we lost sight of the regulation’s original intent? The goal of reducing noise pollution should not come at the expense of operational efficiency, environmental impact, or safety margins. A marginally early arrival should not trigger a cascade of avoidable consequences. A framework that allows for minor, supervised exceptions—especially when flights arrive within a few seconds or minutes of curfew expiration—would better align with the spirit of noise abatement without compromising safety or sustainability. Additionally, improving coordination between en-route air traffic control and destination airports can provide early warnings and speed adjustments to preempt timing conflicts with curfews. Bottom Line The ANA NH203 incident at Frankfurt (FRA) exemplifies the broader issue of rigid aviation regulations that may overlook real-world variables. While preserving the quality of life for airport-adjacent residents remains essential, integrating flexibility, data-driven decision-making, and practical judgment into curfew enforcement can prevent unnecessary go-arounds, wasted fuel, and unintended noise. As aviation continues to evolve with more efficient aircraft and better forecasting tools, regulatory frameworks should also adapt, ensuring that the goals of safety, efficiency, and community protection are balanced intelligently. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/17/ana-787-pilots-denied-landing-clearance-at-frankfurt-airport/#google_vignette Brentwood man charged with impersonating firefighter amid LA wildfires, pointing laser at aircraft Brentwood man charged with impersonating firefighter amid LA wildfires A man accused of impersonating a firefighter and pointing a laser at multiple aircraft is now being charged with 28 criminal counts. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man accused of impersonating a firefighter and pointing a laser at multiple aircraft is now being charged with 28 criminal counts, including 23 felonies. Prosecutors said 46-year-old Steve Farzam pointed a dangerous blue laser on the night of Feb. 21 at not only AIR7, but at law enforcement and commercial aircraft too. "This defendant's alleged actions reflect a disturbing pattern of lawlessness and disregard for public safety," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "Over the course of more than a year, he is accused of repeatedly putting lives at risk, from impersonating a firefighter during an active wildfire to assaulting a first responder and targeting aircraft with a laser. The string of alleged crimes occurred between 2023 and May of this year. The charges include assaulting a first responder, discharging a laser at an aircraft, impersonation of a public officer, carrying a loaded unregistered handgun in a vehicle, among others. Farzam allegedly posed as a firefighter during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 16, gaining access to restricted emergency zones and interfering with emergency operations. He was arrested Wednesday after multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, responded to a home on Rockingham Avenue, near Sunset Boulevard. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday and is currently being held without bail. One of those incidents involved our own AIR7 helicopter. ABC7's Chris Christi is named as a victim in the criminal complaint since he was in AIR7 the night Farzam allegedly pointed the laser at the station's helicopter. "It was a really frightening night, because that light was so powerful and so bright, it really could've gotten us hurt," said Christi. "Our AIR7 crew was flying over West L.A. when the cockpit was filled with this blue light. Sometimes we get green laser pointers, but this was a particularly bright blue light that came off the windshield here on AIR7 and lit up the entire cockpit." Prosecutors in court talked about video shot by AIR7 that they say showed the car Farzam was driving that night. "That vehicle, they were able to get a license plate - that vehicle was rented to Mr. Farzam's hotel. There was a search warrant yesterday and that vehicle was found," said Deputy District Attorney David Ayvazian. That search warrant was executed Wednesday at the Brentwood home where prosecutors say they found multiple vehicles - including a 1986 fire truck. The fire truck was towed away and its state license plate was removed. Records show that the fire truck belongs to Santa Muerte Fire Department - a fire department that police say does not exist. "In this particular case he is subject in a multi agency investigation that included him creating a fake fire department by trying to incorporate a fake fire department," said Ayvazian. That 1980s fire truck was found with charred marks and ash. "During the Palisades Fire he tried to badge his way into fire zones, which he successfully did at least three times -pretending to be an arson investigator," said Ayvazian. Farzam tried to hide from ABC7's camera behind a beam in court Thursday- but he was front and center years ago during the pandemic. In the ABC7 archives, we found press conferences and interviews with him during his time as a CEO for a COVID testing company. Now a public defender is arguing why he should be granted bail. "There is not a substantial likelihood that his release would result in great bodily harm to anyone," she said. If convicted as charged, Farzam faces up to 23 years and 10 months in prison. His preliminary hearing is set to take place on July 28. https://abc7.com/post/brentwood-man-faces-28-charges-including-impersonating-firefighter-amid-la-wildfires-pointing-laser-aircraft/17173513/ How much liquids you can bring onto airplane may be next TSA rule change. What to know Less than two weeks after travelers were told they can keep their shoes on at TSA security checkpoints, there were hints another change may be coming. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at a Hill Nation Summit July 16 she is questioning “everything TSA does” and said there may be changes coming on the amount of liquids travelers can bring in their carry-on baggage. Here's what you should know about changes being considered by the Transportation and Security Administration. Will TSA stop limiting liquids at airport security checkpoints? Maybe, although there has been no official announcement as of early July 17. “The liquids, I’m questioning. So that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be,” Noem said July 16. “We have put in place in TSA a multilayered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security and screening so it’s still as safe.” 3-1-1 rule: How much liquid can you carry through airport security now? "You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint," TSA said but they need to abide by the 3-1-1 rule. The TSA's liquid 3-1-1 rule stands for: 3.4 ounces or less per item 1 quart-sized bag 1 bag per passenger Bigger containers must go in your checked bag, although there are exceptions for medications and baby formula. The rule has been in place since 2006, with the intention of limiting the risk of dangerous liquids being brought into an airplane. Airport security check in less than a minute? That's the goal “Hopefully, the future of an airport, where I’m looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your plane,” Noem said July 16. “It takes you one minute.” Keep those shoes on! TSA changes shoes-off policy at airports On July 8, Noem announced a new policy was going into effect immediately to allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. "The new policy will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times," the TSA announced on its website. ➤ It's official! You can now keep your shoes on. What's new at TSA airport checkpoints "Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports," Noem said. "We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience." Will flying still be safe as TSA rolls back policies? "As always, security remains our top priority," Noem said. "We have put in place in TSA a multilayered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security and screening so it’s still as safe," Noem said. Are there still items you can't bring on airplanes? There's a very long list of items you cannot carry in either your carry-on bag or checked bag. Some you can bring with you in one or the other. ➤ Live lobster OK in your carry-on, but don't bring that cast-iron skillet. See TSA list TSA breaks down what you can bring in a carry-on bag or put in your checked bag into categories: Miscellaneous Flammables Firearms Food Household and tools Medical Sharp objects Sporting and camping Key point to remember: "The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint." https://www.yahoo.com/news/much-liquids-bring-onto-airplane-143459949.html Plane bound for Detroit Metro Airport diverted due to passenger trying to open exit door mid-flight Plane landed in Detroit Metro Airport around 10:30 p.m., three hours behind schedule Plane bound for Detroit Metro Airport diverted due to passenger trying to open exit door mid-flight 725 A Delta Airlines flight bound for Detroit from Omaha had to make an unscheduled stop Thursday after a passenger tried to open an exit row door. Video shows law enforcement removing a male passenger off the plane in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 17. The plane was about a third of the way into its flight. NBC News confirmed the Delta Airlines flight made an unscheduled stop in Cedar Rapids after a passenger tried to open an exit row door. Passengers and crew quickly stepped in to stop the unruly passenger, who was arrested after the plane landed. The Delta connection flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, released a statement saying, “SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behavior as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority.” CNN reported that this may have stemmed from a fight between the passenger and a flight attendant. According to tracking site Flight Radar, the plane landed in Detroit Metro Airport around 10:30 p.m., which was three hours behind schedule. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/07/18/plane-bound-for-detroit-metro-airport-diverted-due-to-passenger-trying-to-open-exit-door-mid-flight/ Man Goes Berserk on American Airlines Flight Over a Charging Cable A woman on TikTok filmed a man completely losing his cool on an American Airlines flight, even before it took off from Charlotte to Denver. According to Rebecca Cook, going by the username rebeccacook748 on the platform, the man was denied a charging cable and a first-class seat, which lead to a profane meltdown. Another man told the belligerent passenger not to speak disrespectfully to women. "If she's being a b****, I'm gonna call it out, bro," he yelled. "Shut the f*** up and sit down, bro. You have three f***ing seconds before I f*** you up." The man continued to bellow at the woman, as well as other passengers who tried to intervene. "I have four sisters," he shouted. "If I wanna talk to a b**** like that, I f***ing will." As passengers looked on, he stormed to the front of the plane telling someone to walk off with him, then he walked back, passing a man who apparently stuck his leg out. "Come on, bro," he said on camera, "You're gonna try to trip me, bro? You're a p****, bro." Throughout the video, other passengers chuckled at the man's explosion. The man who tried to trip the passenger munched on Frito chips, watching with apparent interest. In a statement to Newsweek, American Airlines said the man was removed for "disruptive behavior" prior to departure. "The flight continued as scheduled following the removal," a spokesperson said. "We thank our customers for their patience and apologize for the inconvenience." Users React TikTok users seemed to enjoy the opportunity to tee off on the unruly passenger, amid more than 400 comments and almost 42,000 views within two days. "No-neck, Temu dupe Jonah Hill stomping down the aisles is killing me," one wrote. "No-Fly List forever," a critic declared, to which Cook replied: "That's what I was thinking too." A contributor shared that their mother worked as a flight attendant for 44 years: "He is the reason she kept an ice mallet in her pocket at all times." Finally, one pundit had a pertinent question: "Who are his sisters? I'd be so embarrassed, [Oh my God]." Other Flight Issues Flights certainly offer plenty of opportunities for drama. One passenger felt something on her feet and looked down to discover two cockroaches crawling across her. "I can't imagine from what part of the world these roaches must [have] boarded the flight," the passenger wrote, "This is extremely unacceptable. "In my 15 years flying, I've never before seen roaches on a plane until now." However, not every flight is unpleasant. A traveler went viral sharing his trans-Atlantic flight from London to New York, which featured hardly anyone else on board. "Basically flew private," the traveler wrote. https://www.newsweek.com/man-goes-berserk-american-airlines-flight-over-charging-cable-2099858 Gulf Air orders 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners US aviation giant Boeing on Thursday signed a contract valued at $7 billion to sell 12 787 Dreamliners, with options for six more, to Gulf Air, as the Bahrain-based carrier looks to expand its global network. The order comes just one month after an Air India Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing a total of 260 people on the plane and on the ground. "Once finalized, this order will bring the carrier's firm order book to 14 of the versatile wide-body jets and will support 30,000 jobs across the US," the companies said in a joint statement. The US Commerce Department put the value of the deal at $7 billion. The deal "marks a transformative step in Gulf Air's strategic growth journey as we expand our global footprint and modernize our fleet with one of the industry's most advanced and efficient aircraft," said Gulf Air Group chairman Khalid Taqi. "The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for our long-haul operations, and this new order reflects our confidence in its performance, passenger appeal and contribution to our sustainability goals." Boeing delivered 150 commercial aircraft in the second quarter, its highest number of deliveries in that quarter since 2018. That was just before two 737 MAX crashes in October 2018 and March 2019 -- which killed 346 people -- plunged the company into crisis. The Air India jet bound for London crashed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad on June 12. A preliminary investigation report revealed that fuel control switches were switched off shortly after takeoff. Boeing has not been asked to take any action as the probe continues. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a trade pact with Indonesia that limits tariffs on Indonesian products at 19 percent, and said the deal features a pledge from the country to buy 50 Boeing jets, "many of them 777s." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/gulf-air-orders-12-boeing-004537991.html SkyWest Airlines flight from Omaha to Detroit diverted to Cedar Rapids due to "unruly passenger" A flight from Omaha to Detroit was diverted to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Thursday night because of an "unruly passenger," according to police. SkyWest Flight 3612 departed Omaha's Eppley Airfield Thursday and was diverted to the Eastern Iowa Airport because of an "in-air disturbance" by a passenger. Police met the flight at around 6:13 p.m. local time and arrested the passenger, 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj, of Nebraska. SkyWest, which was operating as a Delta connection for the flight, said it has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior. "SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behavior as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority," SkyWest said in a statement. Nikprelaj is lodged in the Linn County Correctional Center on charges of disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, tax stamp and first-degree harassment. The charges are pending an investigation. The FAA says that since the start of 2025, there have been at least 870 reports of unruly passengers on flights. https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/skywest-airlines-flight-omaha-detroit-diverted-cedar-rapids-unruly-passenger/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 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