Flight Safety Information - August 28, 2025 No. 172 In This Issue : Incident: American B38M at Kingston on Aug 27th 2025, bird strike : Incident: France A321 near Munich on Aug 27th 2025, suspected electrical fire : Incident: Norwegian Sweden B738 at Stockholm on Aug 27th 2025, burst tyre on departure : Delta to pay $78.75 million to resolve fuel dump lawsuit : Terror on Boeing 737 as plane explosion forces pilots to make ‘hard landing’: ‘Unsettling’ : Why did an F-35 fall out of the sky and explode in Alaska? Ice made it think it was on the ground. : Global airlines group proposes raising international pilot retirement age to 67 : European Fatal Air Accidents Rise with Traffic Levels : Embraer reaches 2,000th business jet delivery milestone : ACI Jet receives EASA part 145 maintenance approval : Gulfstream delivers first state-of-the-art G800 executive jet : Boeing Fast-Tracks 737 Max Deliveries as FAA Decision Looms : QANTAS ORDERS 20 NEW A321XLR AIRCRAFT, 16 WITH LIE-FLAT BUSINESS SEATS : B-52 bomber nearly hit two different planes in North Dakota last month, NTSB says : ISASI - 2025 - Denver, CO - September 29-October 3, 2025 Annual Seminar - Hotel Rate Deadline approaching (September 5) : Calendar of Events Incident: American B38M at Kingston on Aug 27th 2025, bird strike An American Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration N321TG performing flight AA-384 from Montego Bay (Jamaica) to Miami,FL (USA), was climbing out of Montego Bay's runway 07 when the aircraft flew through a flock of birds. The crew stopped the climb at about 5000 feet and decided to divert to Kingston (Jamaica) climbing to 14000 feet enroute. The aircraft landed on Kingston's runway 12 about 45 minutes after departure. A passenger reported the aircraft hit a flock of small birds right after rotation, smell developed on board. The crew diverted to Kingston due to the winds at Montego Bay. There was no damage visible to the aircraft. A replacement flight delivered them to Miami with a delay of about 8 hours. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N905NN was dispatched to Kingston and reached Miami with a delay of about 8 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Kingston about 12 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c35dd7&opt=0 Incident: France A321 near Munich on Aug 27th 2025, suspected electrical fire An Air France Airbus A321-100, registration F-GMZA performing flight AF-1695 from Budapest (Hungary) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was enroute at FL320 about 10nm southeast of Salzburg (Austria) when the crew declared Mayday reporting they suspected an electrical fire in the aft galley. The aircraft diverted to Munich (Germany) for a safe landing on runway 26L about 25 minutes later. The aircraft vacated the runway and taxied to a nearby remote stand. The aircraft remained on the ground in Munich for about 5.5 hours, then continued the journey to Paris arriving with a delay of about 5:45 hours. A listener on frequency reported the crew declared Mayday due to a suspected electrical fire in the aft galley and diverted to Munich. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c3038d&opt=0 Incident: Norwegian Sweden B738 at Stockholm on Aug 27th 2025, burst tyre on departure A Norwegian Air Shuttle Sweden Boeing 737-800, registration SE-RRS performing flight D8-2046 from Stockholm (Sweden) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) with 181 people on board, was departing Arlanda's runway 19R when a tyre burst causing vibrations of the airframe. The crew continued takeoff, stopped the climb at FL160 and entered a hold. The aircraft landed safely back on runway 19R about one hour after departure. The airline reported the aircraft returned due to a technical problem. ATC reported a tyre explosion occurred on takeoff. Ground crews identified debris on the runway. Passengers reported hearing a loud bang and felt strong vibrations. A replacement Boeing 737-8 MAX registration SE-RYC reached Paris with a delay of about 4.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 7.5 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c2e85f&opt=0 Delta to pay $78.75 million to resolve fuel dump lawsuit (Reuters) -Delta Air Lines agreed to pay $78.75 million to resolve a class action lawsuit over a 2020 fuel dump that doused tens of thousands of properties, including homes and schools, in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California. A proposed preliminary settlement was filed this week in Los Angeles federal court, and requires a judge's approval. The case stemmed from a January 14, 2020 incident in which Delta Flight 89 to Shanghai from Los Angeles, carrying 167 passengers and crew, lost thrust soon after takeoff. Delta pilots jettisoned about 15,000 pounds (6,804 kg) of jet fuel from the Boeing 777 before returning to Los Angeles International Airport, to reduce the risks of an overweight emergency landing. Several dozen people on the ground were treated for minor injuries. Property owners said the pilots unnecessarily dumped fuel at a low altitude over densely-populated areas, instead of dumping fuel over the Pacific Ocean or at a high altitude so it would dissipate, or burning fuel by flying in a holding pattern. They demanded that Delta clean up the mess. Delta denied wrongdoing, and said it settled to avoid the uncertainty, distraction and cost of litigation. The Atlanta-based carrier also said Flight 89's pilots and cabin crew "did exactly what federal regulations and their FAA-approved training required them to do to respond to that in-flight emergency and ensure the safety of the passengers, crew, and people on the ground." A Federal Aviation Administration investigation later cleared the pilots of wrongdoing, Delta said. The net settlement, after legal fees and costs, may total $50.6 million, and be distributed to owners or residents of an estimated 38,000 properties, court papers show. Filippo Marchino, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, in a statement said the settlement was fair and reasonable, and would compensate "hard-working families who asked only for respect and just treatment and rightly deserve this result." The case is In re Delta Air Lines Inc, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 20-00786. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/delta-pay-78-75-million-162719924.html Terror on Boeing 737 as plane explosion forces pilots to make ‘hard landing’: ‘Unsettling’ A Norwegian flight had to abort its flight from Stockholm, Sweden to Paris, France after a tire exploded shortly after takeoff. It was the wheel of misfortune. A Norwegian flight began with a bang after a tire exploded shortly after takeoff, forcing the pilots to execute an emergency landing. The Boeing 737 had reportedly just departed Stockholm, Sweden, on Wednesday en route to Paris, France, when passengers heard what sounded like an explosion “During takeoff, a tire explosion occurred,” Sara Eriksson, press manager at Sweden’s Maritime and Flight Control Center (JRCC), told local media. “During takeoff, a tire explosion occurred,” said Sara Eriksson, press manager at Sweden’s Maritime and Flight Control Center (JRCC) Emergency services Uppsala She reported that the impromptu blowout reportedly left some “tire debris” on the runway. “We take all incidents like this seriously,” Eriksson added. “It’s not very common.” As a result of the mishap, the pilots were forced to turn around and ferry all 181 passengers back to Stockholm. During a flyby, they noticed that the tire was deflated and prepared for a “hard landing,” according to the JRCC spokeswoman. Thankfully, the captains were able to touch down safely at 11 a.m. local time, after which first responders rushed onto the runway. “I can understand that it might feel unsettling, but the landing was carried out without drama,” a Norwegian spokesperson said. The cause of the in-flight flat is yet unclear, but airplane tires can burst for various reasons, including debris on the runway, overheating and underinflation, the Daily Express reported. In a similar incident in January, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated by Etihad Airways was forced to abort its flight from Melbourne, Australia to Abu Dhabi when two tires allegedly burst shortly after takeoff. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/terror-boeing-737-plane-explosion-133900834.html Why did an F-35 fall out of the sky and explode in Alaska? Ice made it think it was on the ground. An Air Force investigation found that ice buildup in an F-35's landing gear tricked the jet into thinking it was on the ground — a failure that sent the fighter crashing in Alaska and erupting in flames. A new report released this week by the Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board found that the ice in the landing gear caused the fighter's automatic systems to wrongly assume that it had landed even though it was still in the air, making the aircraft "uncontrollable." The pilot was able to eject safely before the impact on January 28 and suffered only minor, non-life-threatening injuries, the report said. But the aircraft was destroyed on impact, with the total loss valued at $196.5 million. Investigators found the crash traced back to contaminated hydraulic fluid. The 355th Fighter Generation Squadron hadn't followed the rules for handling fluid barrels, and the jet was refueled from one that contained a large amount of water. That water froze after takeoff, stopping the front landing gear from working properly. Instead of retracting, the gear jammed, tilting the aircraft to the left and setting off the chain of failures that caused the crash. The pilot went through initial emergency checklists and then had a call with engineers at Lockheed Martin, the jet's manufacturer, and the on-duty supervisor of flying, to come up with a plan. The pilot flew for around 50 minutes while they tried to find a solution on the call and then did two touch-and-go landings to try to center the nose landing gear. Both failed to recenter it. The report said ice inside the landing gear prevented first the right strut, then the left, from fully extending after takeoff. Switzerland is eyeing cuts to its F-35 stealth fighter order amid price battles with the US After a second touch-and-go landing, the jet's sensors gave a "Weight on Wheels" signal that told the aircraft it was on the ground, switching it into an automated "on ground" flight mode. "But because it was actually airborne," the report said, "the aircraft was uncontrollable." "The pilot successfully ejected and emergency responders were at the scene within a minute," it said. After the pilot ejected, the F-35 flew upwards, reaching 2,665 feet above ground level before it stalled and fell to the ground. Ultimately, the board concluded that "the cause of the mishap was hydraulic fluid contaminated by water that froze" in the nose landing gear and the main landing gear struts. But it pointed to other factors, too. The Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board president also found that "by a preponderance of the evidence, that crew decision making including those on the in-flight conference call, lack of oversight for the Hazardous Materials program, and lack of adherence to maintenance procedures for hydraulic servicing were substantially contributing factors." The report said those on the call could have looked at recent Lockheed Martin information that said "Weight on Wheels" sensor issues "could lead to aircraft controllability issues." It said that had they "considered this potential outcome, they likely would have advised a planned full stop landing or a controlled ejection instead of a second touch-and-go." The investigation further added said that procedures for storing the hydraulic fluid, a hazardous material, may also not have been followed and that "the barrel used to service the mishap aircraft was contaminated with significant amounts of water." But due to a lack of documentation, the board president said that he "could not identify when the water was introduced into the landing gear struts." The fifth-generation F-35, a multi-role fighter operated by 19 countries, has been involved in around a dozen major crashes since its first in 2018. The most recent incident occurred in July, with one of the jets crashing in a California field. The incident rate overall remains relatively low though. The expensive fighter program has faced criticisms throughout its development, especially as setbacks and technical challenges resulted in delays and ballooning costs. Concerns remain over the delays in the latest upgrades, and some critics have proposed replacing crewed fighters with drones. For now, though, this fighter remains a key element of US and allied airpower. https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-f-35-crash-ice-system-think-on-ground-investigation-2025-8 Global airlines group proposes raising international pilot retirement age to 67 • UN aviation agency ICAO to consider proposal at September General Assembly • Airlines group IATA cites pilot shortage as reason for age increase • US pilot unions oppose raising retirement age due to safety concerns SEATTLE, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A group representing global airlines has asked the U.N.'s aviation agency to raise the international age limit for commercial pilots to 67 years from 65, saying worldwide demand for air travel is outstripping the supply of aviators. The U.N.'s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will consider the proposal, opens new tab, which has been opposed by major U.S. pilot unions, at its General Assembly that convenes on September 23. Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here. International rules prohibit airline pilots older than 65 from flying international flights, and many countries, including the United States, apply the same rule domestically as well. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents about 350 airlines, said raising the limit by two years is a "cautious but reasonable step consistent with safety." There would still have to be at least two pilots operating each flight, including one younger than 65 if the other pilot is above that age, IATA said in a working paper published on ICAO's website. In 2006, ICAO lifted the age limit from 60 to 65. The major pilot unions in the U.S. have opposed a higher retirement age based on safety concerns. There is not enough data available to adequately understand the risk of increasing the retirement age, said Allied Pilots Association (APA) spokesperson Dennis Tajer, an American Airlines. "We don't gamble with safety that way," he said. The Air Line Pilots Association and the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S. pilot unions opposed an unsuccessful push backed by U.S. carriers in 2023 to get Congress to raise the mandatory airline pilot retirement age to 67 from 65. A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress last month pushed President Donald Trump's administration to support international efforts to raise the mandatory pilot retirement age. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/global-airlines-group-proposes-raising-international-pilot-retirement-age-67-2025-08-28/ European Fatal Air Accidents Rise with Traffic Levels • EASA has published new data in its 2025 Annual Safety Review • EASA Annual Safety Review • European aviation regulator EASA has included 2024 accident data in its 2025 Annual Safety Review. (EASA) European air traffic further increased during 2024, and with it came a rise in fatal accidents involving European aircraft operators, according to data released on Tuesday as part of EASA’s 2025 Annual Safety Review.According to the latest EASA report, the key risk areas for global air safety are aircraft upset, airborne collision, and collisions on runways. Florian Guillermet, the agency’s executive director, noted that the number of lives lost—three—in three separate fatal accidents last year was the highest in the European commercial air transport sector in recent years. All of these accidents involved airliners, and there were no fatal accidents involving non-commercial business aviation flights involving what EASA categorizes as “complex aeroplanes.” These are defined as having an mtow in excess of 5,700 kilograms (12,566 pounds) and with a turbofan engine or more than one turboprop. Last year, there were seven fatal helicopter accidents with 14 lives lost, including four accidents involving non-commercial flights. Worldwide, there were 11 fatal accidents among commercial air transport operations, with 301 fatalities. Overall, the general aviation sector experienced 27 fatal accidents with non-complex aeroplanes and 44 fatalities. The total number of lives lost in light aircraft was less than average levels of fatalities during the period spanning 2014 to 2023, and EASA recorded no fatal uncrewed aircraft accidents in its member states last year. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2025-08-27/european-fatal-air-accidents-rise-traffic-levels Embraer reaches 2,000th business jet delivery milestone Milestone was achieved with a Praetor 500 handover at the company’s Florida center; model shows strong demand in corporate aviation Embraer has reached the milestone of 2,000 business jet deliveries, with the handover of a Praetor 500 at its Global Customer Center in Melbourne, Florida. The delivery underscores the company’s performance in the business aviation sector since its entry into the market in 2002. The Praetor 500, involved in the milestone delivery, is classified as a midsize jet and is noted for its range and speed capabilities. It offers an intercontinental range of 3,340 nautical miles (6,186 km) with four passengers, enabling nonstop flights across the United States, such as coast-to-coast routes. Praetor jets are equipped with technologies typically found in larger aircraft, including advanced avionics and cabin systems. The aircraft can operate from short runways, a characteristic more common in smaller jets, which can provide operators with greater flexibility in airport choice. Praetor 500 and 600 models have seen high demand among corporate flight departments, reflecting a broader trend in the market for midsize and super-midsize business jets. In 2024, Embraer Phenom and Praetor models accounted for one in three light and midsize jet deliveries worldwide. Embraer has recorded an average annual growth rate of 14% in executive jet deliveries since 2002. “Delivering our 2,000th business jet is more than just a milestone number. It is a powerful reflection of the strength of our product portfolio, our unwavering commitment to our customers and the dedication of our employees who take pride in building every aircraft,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. The company is expected to continue focusing on executive aviation, leveraging the Praetor family’s features and market acceptance. The current demand for midsize jets suggests ongoing opportunities for Embraer in corporate and business aviation segments. https://www.airdatanews.com/embraer-reaches-2000th-business-jet-delivery-milestone/ ACI Jet receives EASA part 145 maintenance approval ACI Jet has been granted European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 maintenance organisation approval. Officially certified on July 22nd, 2025, the approval authorises San Luis Obispo, California-based ACI Jet to perform maintenance on European-registered aircraft. The company is the only Bombardier Authorized Service Facility on the US West Coast. It also has an on-site Bombardier parts depot. “Our customers and brokers have been asking for this, and we delivered,” said Dave Jensen, ACI Jet’s VP of Maintenance. “This certification gives European-registered aircraft owners and operators a new, highly capable option for service on the West Coast, where maintenance slots for foreign registered aircraft are already limited.” The certification also expands the company’s AOG (aircraft on ground) support capabilities for European-registered aircraft along the West Coast. The EASA certification process was led by Isaac Garner, ACI Jet’s quality control manager. Garner led an overhaul of the company’s Repair Station & Quality Control Manual, Safety Management System and internal audit processes to meet stringent EASA requirements. The process required more than a year of preparation, documentation revisions/submissions, and audits, with the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) providing critical guidance along the way. “This wasn’t just about meeting the requirements—it was about identifying opportunities to make our QC department stronger across the board,” said Garner. “We made improvements not because we had to, but because we should. That’s the ACI Jet way.” EASA approval follows ACI Jet’s recent certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI), under which it is currently undergoing its first pre-purchase inspection (PPI). The company also holds Canadian maintenance authorisation and is targeting future approvals from Mexico and other international aviation regulators. “Our goal is to keep building our capabilities while protecting the reputation we’ve earned for delivering top-tier service,” added Garner. https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/aci-jet-receives-easa-part-145-maintenance-approval/ Gulfstream delivers first state-of-the-art G800 executive jet US executive jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace announced on August 27, 2025, that it has delivered the first unit of its new G800 executive jet. The jet was delivered to an undisclosed customer after being outfitted at Gulfstream’s completion center in Appleton, Wisconsin. The G800 is the latest model to join Gulfstream’s family of executive jets. This state-of-the-art model obtained its type certificate from both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on April 16, 2025. Designed to carry up to 19 passengers, the G800 is an evolution of a family of aircraft that includes the G650, G650ER, which the G800 is set to replace (production of the G650 ceased in February 2025), and the G700, which was certified in 2024. The G800 is not only Gulfstream’s most modern aircraft, but it also boasts some impressive performance metrics. It is the longest range of any purpose-built business jet in the world and is capable of flying 8,200 nautical miles (15,186 kilometers) nonstop at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (this range drops to 7,000 nm (12,964 km) if the cruise speed increases to Mach 0.90). It is also capable of reaching a top operating speed of Mach 0.935. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/gulfstream-delivers-first-state-of-the-art-g800-executive-jet Boeing Fast-Tracks 737 Max Deliveries as FAA Decision Looms Boeing (NYSE:BA) could be entering a pivotal phase as the company moves to accelerate 737 Max deliveries and targets a production ramp-up by late October. Following discussions with Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, the airline expects to receive 25 jets between August and October, several months ahead of schedule. Boeing has signaled plans to apply to the FAA in September to raise output from 38 to 42 aircraft per month, with a possible implementation as early as October if approvals are granted. For Boeing, the accelerated schedule reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize operations after the FAA imposed production caps earlier this year following a midair door-panel incident. O'Leary noted that Boeing's Seattle-area facilities are producing aircraft faster and with fewer defects under CEO Kelly Ortberg's leadership, pointing to improved quality control over the past 12 to 18 months. However, he also acknowledged taking early deliveries partly as a precaution, citing potential risks around tariffs and lingering concerns about Boeing's recovery trajectory. Boeing's stock slipped 0.5% intraday but remains up 32% year-to-date, making it one of the strongest performers in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Analysts suggest that securing FAA approval and successfully scaling production could be central to restoring Boeing's financial health after years of operational turbulence. The company has already increased 787 Dreamliner production to seven per month following a similar regulatory review, a move that could signal more flexibility from regulators if Boeing continues to demonstrate consistent quality improvements. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-fast-tracks-737-max-222033583.html QANTAS ORDERS 20 NEW A321XLR AIRCRAFT, 16 WITH LIE-FLAT BUSINESS SEATS Qantas has today announced an order for an additional 20 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, including the introduction of lie-flat Business seats on its narrowbody aircraft for the first time. The expansion of the Group’s largest ever fleet renewal program will see 16 of the 20 additional A321XLRs configured with lie-flat Business seats and seat back entertainment screens to serve longer routes, including transcontinental services to and from Perth, and short and medium haul international routes. The new configuration A321XLRs will begin arriving in calendar year 2028, taking the airline’s total order for the next generation A321XLR to 48 aircraft. The extended range of up to 8,700 kilometres is more than 3,000 kilometres further than the Boeing 737 it replaces and will enable Qantas to launch direct flights to destinations across South East Asia and the Pacific Islands that are not currently viable. Qantas’ first two A321XLRs, which are configured for domestic and short haul international flying, are expected to start operating commercial flights in mid-September, making Qantas the first airline in the Asia Pacific to operate the aircraft type. The aircraft will initially operate on Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth and be progressively rolled out on other routes. By the end of this financial year Qantas will have seven of the aircraft type. Jetstar’s A321XLRs will begin to arrive from calendar year 2027 and will be fitted with a two-class cabin to suit international travel. CEO Commentary Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the expansion of the A321XLR fleet represented a significant step in the Group’s fleet renewal program. “Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways that we can provide our customers with a better flying experience and these billion-dollar investments are possible because of our continued strong financial performance,” Ms Hudson said. “These additional A321XLRs will accelerate the retirement of our 737 fleet and open up new opportunities for domestic and international travel, allowing us to reach destinations that aren’t possible with our current narrowbody fleet. “Not only will the A321XLRs help us serve the corporate market travelling between Perth and the east coast of Australia, they will also allow us to expand flying on existing routes into South East Asia and open up new possibilities like Perth-India and Adelaide-Singapore. “The lie-flat Business seats, seat back screens and fast and free Wi-Fi will provide a consistent premium experience for our customers who fly domestically with Qantas and connect onto our long haul services. “All of the next generation aircraft joining our fleet benefit from longer range, more comfort, less noise, better economics and will improve how people travel around Australia and overseas. It also means we’re recruiting and training more pilots, cabin crew and engineers, creating opportunities for our people,” Ms Hudson added. Fleet Overview The Group’s total firm aircraft order now stands at 214 aircraft, with 32 delivered as at June 30, representing a multi-billion dollar investment in renewing and growing Qantas and Jetstar’s fleet. In addition to these firm orders, the Group has additional purchase right options with Airbus and Boeing which provide flexibility for future growth. The airline took delivery of 17 new aircraft in FY25. This increases to 20 new aircraft arriving this financial year and 29 in FY27, including 36 for Qantas, 10 for Jetstar and 3 for Qantas Freight. The first Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR will move to Airbus’ final assembly line in October this year, with deliveries commencing from October 2026[1]. The introduction of new aircraft is already delivering significant improvements in customer satisfaction, as well as financial and fuel benefits for the Group. [1] Subject to receiving necessary regulatory approvals and certifications. https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-orders-20-new-a321xlr-aircraft-16-with-lie-flat-business-seats/ B-52 bomber nearly hit two different planes in North Dakota last month, NTSB says The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday that shortly after an airliner made an aggressive maneuver to avoid colliding with a B-52 last month over North Dakota, the bomber nearly collided with a small private plane as it flew past the Mi... Shortly after an airliner made an aggressive maneuver to avoid colliding with a B-52 last month over North Dakota, the bomber nearly collided with a small private plane as it flew past the Minot airport, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators released their preliminary report Wednesday on the July 19 incident that happened after the bomber completed a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. The close call with Delta Flight 3788 is well known because of a video a passenger shot of the pilot's announcement after making an abrupt turn to avoid the bomber. But the fact that the B-52 subsequently came within one-third of a mile of a small Piper airplane hadn't been previously reported. The SkyWest pilot told his passengers that day that he was surprised to see the bomber looming to the right, and the U.S. Air Force also said that air traffic controllers never warned the B-52 crew about the nearby airliner. Officials said at the time that the flyover had been cleared with the FAA and the private controllers who oversee the Minot airport ahead of time. These close calls were just the latest incidents to raise questions about aviation safety in the wake of January’s midair collision over Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. The NTSB report doesn't identify the cause of the incidents, but the transcript of the conversation between the three planes, the air traffic controller on duty in Minot and a regional FAA controller at a radar center in Rapid City, South Dakota, show several confusing commands were issued by the tower that day. Investigators won't release their final report on the cause until sometime next year. With the B-52 and Delta planes converging on the airport from different directions, the controller told the Delta plane that was carrying 80 people to fly in a circle to the right until the pilot told the controller he didn't want to do that because the bomber was off to his right, so he broke off his approach. “Sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise,” the pilot can be heard saying on the video a passenger posted on social media. “This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up.” At one point, the controller intended to give the Delta plane directions but mistakenly called out the bomber's call sign and had to cancel that order. Less than a minute after the B-52 crossed the path of the airliner, it nearly struck the small plane that was also circling while the bomber flew past the airport on its way back to Minot Air Force Base where 26 of the bombers are based. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, who used to investigate plane crashes for both the NTSB and FAA, said the controller didn't give the commands for the Delta and Piper planes to circle soon enough for them to stay a safe distance away from the bomber. The transcript shows the local controller calling the regional FAA controller to get permission every time before he issued a command to the planes. Guzzetti said it is not clear whether taking that extra step to consult with the other controller delayed the commands or whether the Minot controller simply didn't anticipate how close the planes would come. “It all just kind of came together at the same time very quickly, and this controller was not on top of it,” Guzzetti said. The Minot airport typically handles between 18 and 24 flights a day. But at this moment, three planes were all arriving at the same time. After the close calls, all the planes landed safely. These North Dakota close calls put the spotlight on small airports like Minot that are run without their own radar systems, but it is not clear whether that contract tower program that includes 265 airport towers nationwide had anything to do with the incident. There was one controller staffing the tower in Minot at the time of incident, and a controller at a regional radar center in Rapid City was helping direct planes in the area. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ntsb-52-bomber-hit-planes-north-dakota-month-125042397 ISASI 2025 September 29 – October 2, 2025 Denver Hotel and Conference Center 3801 Quebec St Denver, Colorado ISASI 2025 will be here soon, and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Denver. Tutorials will be presented on Monday September 29, followed by plenary sessions from September 30 – October 2. To register, please go to ISASI’s online and click on the seminar icon at the top right of the home page. Or go directly to the seminar page by clicking here. Once on the seminar page you will find a link to the hotel reservation site as well as the most up to date information on the Tutorials and the technical program. To see the technical program and other details at the top of the page, beside the “register now” button are tabs with further details. PLEASE NOTE: the seminar rate at the hotel will close on September 5; after that there is no guarantee the special rate will be available. Thanks from the ISASI 2025 Committee https://web.cvent.com/event/a6ec0291-9280-4529-b72f-fb38e0cabc17/summary CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 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) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 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 . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis