Flight Safety Information - July 28, 2025 No. 149 In This Issue : Accident: American B38M at Denver on Jul 26th 2025, main gear collapse on takeoff, "you are on fire" : Incident: Azul A339 over Atlantic on Jul 25th 2025, pilot incapacitated : Accident: Southwest B737 and Military HUNT near Burbank on Jul 25th 2025, TCAS saves the day : Southwest Airlines cabin crew hurt in effort to avoid Hawker Hunter : Incident: Bangkok A319 near Bangkok on Jul 24th 2025, passenger's powerbank caught fire : TSA Says Sweat Can Trigger Extra Security Checks at U.S. Airports—What to Know : Delta Air Lines pilot arrested after flight: Reports : Man Arrested After He Claims He Has a Bomb on Flight, Threatens President Donald Trump and Screams 'Death to America' : Passengers forced to deplane after argument over neck pillow : Jeju Air jet still had a working engine when it crashed, investigation update says : NFL star speaks out after being removed from plane for “unruly behavior” : British Airways A319 Pilots Makes Emergency Landing at Manchester : Air India Faces DGCA Action for Safety Lapse : The wreckage of a Montana plane crash is found using a victim’s smart watch location : TSA finds turtles hidden in woman's bra at Miami airport : IndiGo Added 1,000 New Pilots in Just Two Years, Overtakes Air India Group : New federal law passes to study cancer rates in military pilots, aircrews : NTSB Chair on FAA Mental Health Policy: ‘It’s Like Back to the 1950s’ : Calendar of Events Accident: American B38M at Denver on Jul 26th 2025, main gear collapse on takeoff, "you are on fire" An American Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration N306SW performing flight AA-3023 from Denver,CO to Miami,FL (USA) with 173 passengers and 6 crew, had been taxiing out to Denver's runway 08, lined up but requested runway 17L due to winds, vacated the runway, taxied to runway 17L, lined up, requested runway 35R due to winds, vacated again, taxied across the airfield to runway 34L, lined up, was cleared for takeoff and accelerated for takeoff at 14:15L (20:15Z) about 35 minutes after beginning taxi. At about 125 knots over ground the left hand main gear strut collapsed, the aircraft skidded to a stop on the runway on nose gear, right main gear and left hand engine, a fire started below the aircraft. Tower advised the crew "you are actually on fire". An emergency evacuation via slides was initiated. Paramedics checked 7 people with minor injuries, one of them was taken to a local hospital. The airline reported all 173 passengers and 6 crew safely evacuated the aircraft. The FAA reported: "American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a possible landing gear incident during departure from Denver International Airport around 2:45 p.m. local time Saturday, July 26. Passengers evacuated on the runway and are being transported to the terminal by bus. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was headed to Miami International Airport. The FAA will investigate." https://avherald.com/h?article=52ad5fcf&opt=0 Incident: Azul A339 over Atlantic on Jul 25th 2025, pilot incapacitated An Azul Linhas Aereas Airbus A330-900, registration PR-ANX performing flight AD-8803 from Porto (Portugal) to Sao Paulo Viracopos,SP (Brazil), was enroute at FL380 over the Atlantic nearing the coast of Brazil when the crew decided to divert to Recife,PE (Brazil) after one of the pilots became incapacitated. The aircraft landed safely on Recife's runway 18. The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Recife for medical support of one of the crew members. The aircraft departed Recife after about 105 minutes on the ground and reached Viracopos with a delay of 3 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=52aca4d5&opt=0 Accident: Southwest B737 and Military HUNTER near Burbank on Jul 25th 2025, TCAS saves the day A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N249WN performing flight WN-1496 from Burbank,CA to Las Vegas,NV (USA), was climbing through about 14100 feet out of Burbank about 11nm north of Burbank. A Military Hawker Hunter MK.58 registration N335AX from El Paso,TX to Point Mugu,CA (USA), was descending through 14,500 feet towards Point Mugu, when the vertical separation reduced to about 350 feet and the horizontal separation reduced to about 4nm, when both aircraft received TCAS resolution advisories prompting the Hunter to climb and the Boeing to descend at about 12:03L (19:03Z). The Hunter climbed about 100 feet in response to the Resolution Advisory, the Boeing descended about 500 feet before resuming the climb. Both aircraft continued to their destinations for landings without further incident. Two flight attendants on board of the Boeing 737-700 received minor injuries. The FAA reported: "Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 responded to an onboard alert that another aircraft was in the vicinity while in Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The FAA is investigating the event that occurred around 12 p.m. local time on Friday, July 25." Passengers reported they were lifted out of their seats and onto flight attendants causing injuries to two flight attendants, when the aircraft went into a sudden descent. The flight crew later came on explaining a collision warning had activated and he needed to avoid the aircraft coming at them. The airline reported the crew reacted to onboard traffic alerts, the airline is working with the FAA to understand the circumstances. Two flight attendants are being treated for injuries, none of the passengers received any injuries. https://avherald.com/h?article=52aca268&opt=0 Southwest Airlines cabin crew hurt in effort to avoid Hawker Hunter Two Southwest Airlines flight attendants were hurt after pilots were alerted to another aircraft in the area when ascending from Burbank Airport (BUR) in California. On July 25, 2025, the Southwest Boeing 737-700 was forced to descend around 500 feet to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, according to Flightradar24. The data website added that at their closest position, the 737-700 and Hawker Hunter were 4.86 miles apart laterally and 350 feet apart vertically. “Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 responded to an onboard alert that another aircraft was in the vicinity while in Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The FAA is investigating the event that occurred around 12 p.m. local time on Friday, July 25,” said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement. Southwest confirmed that two flight attendants were injured during the incident, but no passengers were harmed. The 737 was just below 15,000 feet when it maneuvered. “The Crew of Southwest Flight 1496 responded to two onboard traffic alerts Friday afternoon while climbing out of Burbank, Cal., requiring them to climb and descend to comply with the alerts,” the airline said in a statement. Following the incident, the passenger plane continued to its destination and landed safely at Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport (LAS). “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and Flight Attendants in responding to this event. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees,” added the airline. On July 18, 2025, a SkyWest Airlines Embraer E175 aircraft operating for Delta Air Lines was forced to perform a sharp evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with a B-52H bomber as it was on its final approach to Minot International Airport (MOT). https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/southwest-airlines-alert-hawker-hunter Incident: Bangkok A319 near Bangkok on Jul 24th 2025, passenger's powerbank caught fire A Bangkok Airways Airbus A319-100, registration HS-PGN performing flight PG-805 from Koh Samui (Thailand) to Hong Kong (China), was enroute at FL330 about 120nm eastnortheast of Bangkok (Thailand) when the crew decided to divert to Bangkok after a passenger's powerbank had caught fire. Cabin crew extinguished the fire and secured the device. The aircraft landed safely on Bangkok's runway 19 about 30 minutes later. The aircraft remained on the ground in Bangkok for about 2:15 hours, then continued the flight and reached Hong Kong with a delay of about 3:10 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ac04a2&opt=0 TSA Says Sweat Can Trigger Extra Security Checks at U.S. Airports—What to Know Airport security can be a stressful place, but try not to sweat it. If you do, you might end up with problems. A passenger being hand checked after going through the TSA metal detector. Heat waves are sweeping across the world and the summer sizzle continues in the United States, so it’s not unexpected travelers may get a little sweaty when traveling through the airport. But it turns out, getting too sweaty might actually cause delays and trigger the need for extra security screenings. In fact, a passenger who is visibly perspiring might trigger the need for a wand screening or extra pat down, according to a report from CNN. “Added moisture from a person’s body can alter the density of clothing, so it is possible perspiration may cause our Advanced Imaging Technology machines to alarm,” a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson told the network. “If this occurs, the passenger may need to undergo additional screening, such as a pat-down in the area of the body where the [machine is] alarmed, to ensure there is no threat.” But while pat downs may make an already stressful environment even more so, security lines at U.S. airports might start to move a little faster now that the TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they pass through security. And that change may leave travelers with a lot less to sweat about. “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.” Noem added: "Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards." A week after that announcement, Noem said she had started "questioning" the TSA's current liquid limitations in carry-on bags. But despite her comments, it may actually be years before travelers can take large liquids with them. Currently, travelers must limit liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in their carry-on luggage to 3.4 ounces or less and store them in a quart-sized resealable bag, which may need to be placed separately in a bin. Travelers who are part of the agency's expedited security screening program TSA PreCheck are also limited to 3.4-ounces, but they are not required to remove liquids from their luggage during screening. Similarly, these travelers were not required to remove their shoes during security screening even before the new rule went into effect. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tsa-says-sweat-trigger-extra-140900898.html Delta Air Lines pilot arrested after flight: Reports A pilot on a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco was arrested by federal agents after landing, according to reports. Travel outlet View from the Wing reported that officers "stormed to the front" of flight 2809 following its arrival at San Francisco International Airport on July 26. The plane landed at approximately 9:35 p.m. following a delay for heavy fog, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Neither outlet named the pilot. A passenger on the flight told the Chronicle that she witnessed at least 10 law enforcement officers, including agents from Homeland Security Investigations and people identifying as air marshals, involved in the arrest and that a second team of agents retrieved the pilot's belongings. "A group of people with badges, guns, and different agency vests/markings were pushing their way up through the aisle to the cockpit," the passenger told the newspaper. "It was rage-inducing to see someone being disappeared right in front of me." Footage following the arrest published by View from the Wing shows some of the alleged officers wearing plainclothes and badges. It is unclear from the footage if the officers were masked. Delta Air Lines declined to comment, referring USA TODAY to law enforcement. USA TODAY reached out to Homeland Security and the TSA for comment and did not receive an immediate response. ICE directed the inquiry to the U.S. Attorney's Office. USA TODAY reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California and did not receive an immediate response. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/delta-air-lines-pilot-arrested-210227944.html Man Arrested After He Claims He Has a Bomb on Flight, Threatens President Donald Trump and Screams 'Death to America' The 41-year-old man "remains in custody," according to police A man was arrested after he claimed he had a bomb — and made other eye-raising remarks — on a plane. The 41-year-old man was on an easyJet flight headed from London's Luton Airport to Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday, July 27, when he first called out, "Stop the plane," according to social media footage of the incident obtained by the Daily Mail and the BBC. The man — whose identity has not yet been shared publicly — then said, "Find the bomb on the plane," before he yelled: "Death to America. Death to Trump." He then screamed "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is great" in Arabic, several times, before another passenger appeared to tackle him and held him to the ground. As another passenger joined in, sitting on the man and telling him, "Sit down. Don't move," the flight crew could then be heard announcing that the plane would be "landing very shortly," before other passengers began to question the man. "Do you have a bomb?" one person inquired, as others asked the man about whether he had been drinking or taking drugs. Passengers in an airplane (stock image). Police Scotland told PEOPLE authorities boarded the aircraft once it arrived and arrested the man. The 41-year-old "remains in custody," police said. In a statement to PEOPLE, a easyJet spokesperson confirmed that the incident took place and that the passenger was removed "due to their behavior onboard." The representative continued, "easyJet's crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time." "The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority," the spokesperson for British airline added. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Police Scotland told PEOPLE the investigation into the incident continues. "We are aware of videos circulating online, and these are being assessed by counter terrorism officers," authorities said. “At this time we believe the incident was contained and that nobody else was involved," police added. It is not currently clear what charges the man faces or if he has legal representation to comment on his behalf. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/man-arrested-claims-bomb-flight-195408835.html Passengers forced to deplane after argument over neck pillow A minor request turned into a major problem when a passenger refused to comply A dispute over a neck pillow forced everyone to deplane Arguing with a flight attendant is never a good idea, especially if you want to remain on the plane. Just ask a man who claims to work with the New Orleans Saints and was bound for New Orleans from Seattle. In a TikTok posted by i.am.shaun2 (@Sh@un) and shared to the Alaska Airlines community on Reddit, a flight attendant politely asks the man to leave the plane. At first, it’s unclear what the man’s infraction was, but things become clearer as the video plays. It’s a red-eye flight. The man maintains his cool but holds his ground, firmly explaining to the flight attendant that he won’t leave. He argues that he has to work in the morning, and there are no other planes that will get him there on time. He also throws a dig at the crew member he originally sparred with, suggesting he was being removed because “somebody’s having a bad day.” The flight attendant is resolved and continues to insist that he exit the plane. The passenger is heard asking: “Is this really happening? Is this real right now?” The flight attendant assures him that the situation is definitely real. The plane had yet to leave the gate The man tells the flight attendant to get her supervisor or get the police. At that point, the flight attendant reveals that she is, in fact, the supervisor. The passenger then demands she “explain to me what I did.” It was all because of a neck pillow After being told he’s being removed for non-compliance, the man insists he did nothing wrong and challenges her to name “one thing I did to deserve to be removed.” After some back and forth, it appears that the passenger had initially refused to remove a neck pillow as requested by a different flight attendant but had since complied. The passenger also complains that he purchased the pillow at the airport and has used it on previous flights. The plane was traveling from Seattle to New Orleans One of the comments on the Reddit thread came from someone who was apparently on the flight. The poster describes the pillow: “one that strapped to his headrest, which isn’t allowed at take off at least.” The Reddit poster states that the man continued arguing with the flight crew after being asked to remove it. He says that although his tone seems reasonable in the video, it wasn’t reasonable previously. This aligns with a second, since-deleted TikTok posted in which the original poster says he believes the neck pillow, which also included an eye mask, is connected to the man's seat. He also says the man refused to disconnect the pillow as requested. The flight attendant explains to the passenger that if he doesn’t comply, she will be forced to ask every passenger to deplane. His reply is: “Then you’re getting everybody off this plane.” He stresses once again that he’s on his way to work, going so far as to invite the flight attendant to “call the New Orleans Saints and tell them I won’t be there.” The video fast forwards as the pair argues for another 30 minutes. When it returns the man is promising not to say a word - he even promises that he won’t even order a drink if he’s allowed to remain onboard. Everyone was forced to deplane The plane eventually reached New Orleans Finally, the captain announces that: ”Unfortunately, due to a security issue, we’re going to have to deplane the aircraft.” He tells the passengers to “leave their stuff on board.” The captain also instructs the passengers to bring their boarding passes and identification. This is where the video ends. The Reddit thread quickly filled with replies, many of which are sympathetic to the passenger. Others are firmly on the side of the flight attendant, saying you should always comply with the flight crew’s instructions. There is no word on what happened to the disruptive passenger after he was removed. The plane eventually left for New Orleans approximately one hour behind schedule. https://www.yahoo.com/creators/lifestyle/story/passengers-forced-to-deplane-after-man-argues-with-flight-attendant-over-neck-pillow-182328460.html Jeju Air jet still had a working engine when it crashed, investigation update says SEOUL (Reuters) -A Jeju Air plane that crashed in December during an emergency landing after a bird strike could have kept flying on the damaged engine that was still working after pilots shut down the other one, according to an update from South Korean investigators. The Boeing 737-800 instead belly-landed at Muan airport without its landing gear down, overshot the runway and erupted into a fireball after slamming into an embankment, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. Investigators have not yet produced a final report into the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil, but information about the plane's two engines has begun to emerge. According to a July 19 update prepared by investigators and seen by Reuters but not publicly released following complaints from victims' family members, the left engine sustained less damage than the right following a bird strike, but the left engine was shut down 19 seconds after the bird strike. The right engine experienced a "surge" and emitted flames and black smoke, but investigators said it "was confirmed to be generating output sufficient for flight," in the five-page update, which included post-crash photos of both engines. No reason for the crew's actions was given and the probe is expected to last months as investigators reconstruct the plane's technical state and the picture understood by its pilots. Experts say most air accidents are caused by multiple factors and caution against putting too much weight on incomplete evidence. So far, public attention has focused on the possibility that the crew may have shut down the less-damaged engine, rekindling memories of a 1989 Boeing 737-400 crash in Kegworth, England, where pilots shut down a non-damaged engine by mistake. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/jeju-air-jet-still-had-035532234.html NFL star speaks out after being removed from plane for “unruly behavior” The four-time Pro Bowler made a statement on Instagram A Delta plane reportedly returned to the airport due to the athlete's "unruly behavior" Playing in the NFL comes with its share of privileges, but that doesn’t include “unruly behavior” on planes. For proof, look no further than former NFL player Everson Griffen. TMZ broke the news Griffen was forced off a plane in a recent incident. The Delta flight was headed from Chicago to Minneapolis when an incident involving the former Viking and four-time Pro Bowler occurred. Although the exact details are murky, the plane returned to O’Hare a few minutes after its initial departure. A witness claims he was trying to “smoke something” An unnamed passenger told TMZ that it appeared Griffen was trying to “smoke something” in the lavatory, which led to a “confrontation with flight attendants.” Once the plane returned to the airport, a video depicts Griffen leaving the plane calmly. Witnesses said that at that time, law enforcement officials boarded the aircraft to interview witnesses. Delta has released a statement Delta has seemingly confirmed the incident releasing a statement that said, Delta has issued a statement saying the flight turned back to the airport "to have an unruly passenger removed." The athlete left the plane without incident The statement continues on to say, "Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and will always work with law enforcement to that end. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel as safety and security comes before everything else at Delta." The footballer denies the accusations The NFL star is speaking out on Instagram with a since-deleted post that said simply: “I’m doing just fine. My behavior was not unruly at all. Why would they let me go.” It isn’t the first time the retired athlete has found himself in hot water. Per Sports Illustrated, the former NFL player has been open about his mental health struggles. Griffen was given a 60-day sentence and four years of probation stemming from a DWI arrest earlier in the year. As a result, Griffen is not allowed to consume alcohol or controlled substances unless he has a prescription. Aside from his Instagram post, it is not currently known what happened to Griffen once he disembarked the plane. https://www.yahoo.com/creators/lifestyle/story/nfl-star-speaks-out-after-being-removed-from-plane-for-unruly-behavior-192227925.html British Airways A319 Pilots Makes Emergency Landing at Manchester The incident involved British Airways Flight BA1410, operated by an Airbus A319 with a typical capacity of around 130 passengers. MANCHESTER— A British Airways (BA) flight en route to Belfast City Airport (BHD) from London Heathrow (LHR) was forced to divert following an in-flight emergency. Flight BA1410 declared a general emergency using transponder code 7700 approximately 30 minutes after takeoff on July 26, 2025. The Airbus A319 aircraft, bound for Belfast City Airport (BHD), circled before diverting to Manchester Airport (MAN) due to a suspected cabin depressurisation issue. Emergency services met the aircraft upon arrival, and all passengers were safely disembarked. British Airways Emergency Landing at Manchester The incident involved British Airways Flight BA1410, operated by an Airbus A319 with a typical capacity of around 130 passengers. After taking off from London Heathrow (LHR) at 08:05 BST, the flight crew initiated an emergency response when indicators suggested a possible cabin depressurisation—an event that can pose significant risks if not managed quickly. Following standard aviation procedures, the crew broadcast a 7700 squawk code, alerting air traffic control to the general emergency. The aircraft was placed in a holding pattern before diverting to Manchester Airport (MAN), which was equipped to handle such scenarios. Upon landing, the plane was met by emergency crews and airport ground staff. Initial assessments point to a sensor malfunction as the likely cause. The sensor’s fault may have incorrectly signaled a cabin pressure issue, triggering the crew’s precautionary measures. British Airways engineers performed a comprehensive systems check on the grounded aircraft while passengers waited in the terminal. Passenger Experience and Compensation Rights The unplanned landing resulted in a delay of roughly three hours. A replacement aircraft was arranged to ensure passengers could continue their journey to Belfast with minimal further disruption. Passengers on delayed or diverted flights like this may be eligible for compensation under UK aviation laws. Although the UK has left the EU, its air passenger rights remain similar to EU Regulation 261/2004, which protects travelers in cases of significant delays or cancellations. According to Matthew Hall, managing director of airport transfer platform Hoppa, compensation eligibility depends largely on airline responsibility. Mechanical or technical issues—such as the one experienced in this incident—typically qualify for reimbursement. However, delays caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather or security risks) may not. Specific compensation amounts vary by flight distance and delay duration: Short-haul flights (<1,500 km): Up to £220 for delays over 2 hours (reduced to £110 with prior notice). Medium-haul flights (1,500–3,500 km): Up to £350 for delays over 3 hours (reduced to £175 with more notice). Understanding UK Air Passenger Rights Travelers departing from or arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline are generally protected under current regulations. Even if flights involve connections outside the UK or EU, compensation may still apply if they were booked as part of a single itinerary and the delay was the airline’s fault. Key criteria for compensation eligibility include: Delay of more than 3 hours at the final destination. Airline’s responsibility for the disruption. Booking made under a single reservation, even if involving multiple flights. Passengers affected by short-notice cancellations (under 14 days) or significant rerouting are also entitled to claim, depending on how much the change deviates from their original schedule. Similar Incident A British Airways flight bound for Cancun International Airport (CUN) made an emergency landing on July 16 after toxic fumes filled the cabin shortly after departure. Flight BA2203, operated by a Boeing 777-200, returned safely to Gatwick Airport (LGW) nearly one hour after takeoff. The incident led to the deployment of oxygen masks for all 340 passengers, with cockpit windows opened for ventilation. British Airways (BA) confirmed a technical fault as the cause and issued an apology for the disruption. British Airways Flight BA2203, operating on a Boeing 777-200 registered G-YMME, departed London Gatwick Airport (LGW) at 2:11 PM en route to Cancun (CUN). Shortly after takeoff, crew members detected a foul odor in the cabin, described by passengers as resembling “used socks.” This unexpected situation led to discomfort among passengers and crew, including symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. Recognizing the health risk, the pilots took immediate action. They declared a full emergency and initiated safety protocols, including deploying oxygen masks and opening cockpit windows to vent the flight deck. Air traffic control prioritized the flight’s return, clearing it to circle the London area for 45 minutes to reduce weight for a safe landing. The aircraft touched down without incident at 3:29 PM, where emergency teams were on standby. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/28/british-airways-a319-emergency-landing-at-manchester/ Air India Faces DGCA Action for Safety Lapse DGCA takes enforcement action against Air India for overdue emergency slide inspection on an aircraft. The incident follows a recent fatal crash, raising concerns about safety oversight. Air India Faces DGCA Action for Safety Lapse New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Aviation regulator DGCA has initiated enforcement action against Air India after finding that the inspection of emergency slide was overdue in an aircraft, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol said on Monday. In a written reply, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation said that during the audit of Air India, DGCA found that the inspection of emergency slide was overdue. "DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft till the required rectification was carried out. DGCA has initiated enforcement action against Air India and the responsible personnel as per Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual of DGCA," he told the Rajya Sabha. Specific details, such as when the audit was conducted and when the enforcement action was initiated, were not disclosed. The minister's response was to DMK member Tiruchi Siva's query on whether the government is aware that aircraft operated by Air India, in weeks preceding the crash of flight AI 171 in June, were allowed to fly with overdue emergency slide inspections, in violation of mandatory safety norms. The member also wanted to know whether accountability has been fixed on DGCA for regulatory oversight failure. In recent times, Air India has come under the scanner of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for various lapses. On June 12, Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating the flight AI 171 enroute to London Gatwick crashed into a building soon after take off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. Mohol said DGCA ensures the compliance by airlines with all safety and maintenance standards through the mechanism of conducting surveillance, spot check and night surveillance, among others, of airlines and its personnel. "In case of violation, DGCA takes enforcement action in accordance with procedures prescribed in Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual. "The enforcement action consists of warning, suspension, cancellation including imposition of financial penalty to the airlines/ personnel. DGCA officials are well trained to perform the oversight and enforcement function," the minister said. https://money.rediff.com/news/market/air-india-faces-dgca-action-for-safety-lapse/30937920250728 The wreckage of a Montana plane crash is found using a victim’s smart watch location WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (AP) — Search teams located the site of an airplane crash that killed three people near Yellowstone National Park using the last known location of the smart watch from one of the victims, authorities said Monday. The single-engine Piper PA-28 aircraft left Montana’s West Yellowstone Airport just before midnight on Thursday, according to Federal Aviation Administration records released Monday. When the aircraft could not be located, two search planes were dispatched to look for it in the vicinity of the last known location of the watch, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said. The search planes found the downed aircraft about a half-hour later in dense timber just south of the town of West Yellowstone. All three occupants were deceased. The victims were identified by the sheriff’s office as Robert Conover, 60, of Tennessee; Madison Conover, 23, also of Tennessee; and Kurt Enoch Robey, 55, of Utah. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. It was under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. https://www.kmvt.com/2025/07/28/wreckage-montana-plane-crash-is-found-using-victims-smart-watch-location/ TSA finds turtles hidden in woman's bra at Miami airport A Florida woman allegedly attempted to sneak two turtles through Miami International Airport (MIA) by hiding them in her bra. (TSA) MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida woman allegedly attempted to sneak two turtles through Miami International Airport (MIA) by hiding them in her bra. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced this in a Facebook post on July 24, urging travelers to "stop hiding animals in weird places on your body." According to TSA, one of the turtles did not survive, while the other turtle was handed over to the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife. TSA is encouraging pet owners to check with their airlines for specific regulations regarding traveling with animals to ensure a safer and smoother journey for everyone involved. https://kmph.com/news/offbeat/tsa-finds-turtles-hidden-in-womans-bra-at-miami-airport-transportation-security-administration-pet-travel-tsa-plane-security-check-smuggle-sneak-animals-florida-july-28-2025 IndiGo Added 1,000 New Pilots in Just Two Years, Overtakes Air India Group With a current headcount of 5,456 pilots, IndiGo leads the sector in cockpit staffing, reflecting its dominant domestic and international presence. DELHI— IndiGo Airlines (6E), India’s largest LCC, has strengthened its cockpit workforce by recruiting over 1,000 pilots over the past two years. This expansion aligns with its rapid fleet growth and ensures continuity amid an industry-wide pilot shortage. By the end of FY25, IndiGo’s total pilot count reached 5,456, surpassing the combined strength of Air India (AI) and Air India Express (IX) at 5,449. Operating out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), IndiGo continues to outpace its competitors in capacity and hiring, FE reported. IndiGo Added 1,000 Pilots IndiGo’s rapid hiring spree supports its fleet expansion, which now includes 434 aircraft. Over FY24 and FY25, the airline added more than 1,000 new pilots to maintain operational reliability amid growing passenger demand and aircraft induction. This move contrasts with industry-wide disruptions such as those experienced by Akasa Air (QP), which faced pilot resignations and flight cancellations in December 2024. The aggressive hiring not only addresses internal growth but also mitigates potential fallout from the broader talent crunch impacting Indian aviation. With a current headcount of 5,456 pilots, IndiGo leads the sector in cockpit staffing, reflecting its dominant domestic and international presence. Soaring Passenger Demand Drives Staffing Needs India’s air passenger traffic has surged post-pandemic. In FY25, domestic air travel reached 165 million, a 17% increase over pre-COVID FY20 levels (141 million). International travel also saw a 49% jump to 34 million from 23 million in FY20. To meet this demand, airlines across India have been actively hiring not only pilots but also cabin crew and engineers. IndiGo’s cabin crew strength crossed 10,212 by FY25. The airline has also committed to long-term expansion, with over 920 aircraft on order, including Airbus A321XLRs (due FY26) and A350s (due 2027) for long-haul operations. IndiGo is also leading efforts in gender diversity. With 16% of its pilots being women—three times the global average—the airline is on track to achieve a milestone of 1,000 female pilots by 2025. On India’s 77th Independence Day, IndiGo celebrated by onboarding 77 female pilots, underlining its commitment to inclusivity in aviation. IndiGo Hires 77 Female Pilots to Celebrate 77 Years of Independence Day Market Performance and Competitive Landscape Despite a tight labor market, IndiGo posted a profit after tax of ₹7,258 crore for FY25, marking its second straight profitable year. In contrast, Air India (AI) reported a ₹10,859 crore loss, and Akasa Air (QP) expects a deeper loss than its FY24 figure of ₹1,670 crore. SpiceJet (SG) returned to profitability with ₹48 crore in FY25 after seven years of losses. While CPL (Commercial Pilot License) issuance declined 17% in 2024 to 1,342 (from 1,622 in 2023), government data indicates no current shortage of trained pilots. However, the projected demand is substantial: India will require 21,500 pilots by 2034. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/28/indigo-added-1000-new-pilots-in-just-two-years/ New federal law passes to study cancer rates in military pilots, aircrews Lawmakers are calling for a deeper look into cancer risks among military aircrews with the passage of the Aviation Cancer Examination Study Act, or ACES Act. YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — Lawmakers are calling for a deeper look into cancer risks among military aircrews with the passage of the Aviation Cancer Examination Study Act, or ACES Act. The bill recently passed Congress with bipartisan support and is expected to reach the president’s desk soon. This legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct the study. The goal is to investigate cancer rates and mortality among aircrew members and compare them to other veteran populations. Lawmakers hope the findings will provide greater clarity on potential long-term health impacts associated with military flight operations. A 2023 Department of Defense study found that pilots and aircrews had a 24% higher risk of developing cancer of all types compared to the general population. Elevated rates were especially noted for melanoma, thyroid, and prostate cancers. For Paul Madriles, a Yuma native and third-generation service member, the concern is personal. He served as an airman at Yokota Air Base in Japan, where he helped load and unload hazardous materials from aircraft. Madriles was stationed there in 2011 when a powerful tsunami struck, triggering the Fukushima nuclear disaster. “I’ve had two colonoscopies, and I’ve had polyps removed. We do not know if it was from exposure or not,” said Madriles. He recalled a briefing during the operation when his commanding officer explained the mission they were leading and the exposure they were facing. “He was explaining that if we did get exposure to any radiation it wouldn’t show quickly that it would be probably down the road,” said Madriles. The ACES Act was introduced by Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, who was a former Navy pilot. He said the legislation is intended to bring answers and accountability for those who served. Madriles believes the bill could make a difference, particularly in a place like Yuma, where aviation plays such a central role in the community. While he may never get all the answers about how exposure may have affected his health, he says the mission always came first. “Military service isn’t for everybody, but it‘s for some. I wear it as a badge of honor. Always a patriot , proud to serve. I love America. It’s the best country in the world. I just think people need to start looking after each other a little more,” said Madriles. https://www.azfamily.com/2025/07/26/new-federal-law-passes-study-cancer-rates-military-pilots-aircrews/ NTSB Chair on FAA Mental Health Policy: ‘It’s Like Back to the 1950s’ Homendy calls for overhaul of certification process, saying the current system creates a stigma for pilots. Key Takeaways: • National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy is urging sweeping reforms to the FAA’s approach to pilot mental health, saying the current system is outdated and deters pilots from seeking care. Speaking during a live interview at EAA AirVenture on FLYING’s Oshkosh Live show, Homendy said the agency’s medical certification process needs a “complete overhaul,” particularly in how it handles mental health issues. “Mental healthcare is healthcare,” Homendy said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s mental health or if it’s physical health. But the way the FAA operates, it’s like back to the 1950s.” Homendy expressed concern that the fear of career repercussions may lead pilots to avoid disclosing mental health issues. “What we don’t want is a situation where a pilot feels like they have to lie to fly,” she said. NTSB Supports Certification Reform The FAA formed a mental health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in 2023, which issued more than 40 recommendations for improving how the agency handles pilot mental health. Homendy said the NTSB supports those recommendations but warned against inaction. “What I don’t want to see is another report out there and then shelved,” she said. “They need to take action.” When asked if the FAA is moving quickly enough on reforms, she replied, “No, they are not.” She added that she believes Congress will need to intervene to drive meaningful change. “I think Congress does need to take action,” she said, pointing to Representative Sam Graves (R-Mo.), a pilot and chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as someone who has championed medical reform in the past. Stigma Remains a Barrier Homendy also criticized the FAA’s long-standing practice of asking applicants whether they’ve ever experienced depression or anxiety on medical forms. “I really find the one question on the application for medical just insult[ing],” she said. “It’s unbelievable that you even ask, ‘At any time in your life, have you ever experienced depression or anxiety?’ Which one of us could say no to that?” While some major airlines offer peer support programs for pilots, Homendy noted that general aviation pilots often lack access to such resources. “Sometimes you need professional help, and those peer programs are not really available for GA pilots,” she said. Despite slow progress, Homendy said the U.S. has an opportunity to lead the way on aviation mental health. “The United States is a leader on safety,” she said. “There’s no reason we can’t be a leader here, and we should.” https://www.flyingmag.com/ntsb-chair-on-faa-mental-health-policy-its-like-back-to-the-1950s/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation, 5 to 7 August 2025 Woburn MA 01801 USA. . 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 . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . 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 . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis