Flight Safety Information - December 16, 2025 No. 249 In This Issue : Cessna 650 Citation III - Fatal Accident (Mexico) : Boeing 727-227 Adv. (F) - Left Main Gear Partially Retracted on Landing (Colombia) : FAA Investigating 777 Engine Failure : North Carolina-based nonprofit has airplane hijacked during supply delivery in Africa : Spirit Airlines Survives Crunch Weekend After Securing $50 Million Lifeline : Airbus Still Has Over 100 Aircraft To Deliver To Reach Revised 2025 : LATAM Brazil Offers Major Signing Bonuses for Embraer E2 Pilots : Rolls-Royce threatens to move £1.6 trillion jet engine project to US or Germany in snub to Labour : Air Force expects first delivery of delayed Boeing Air Force One jets in ‘mid-2028’ : Calendar of Events Cessna 650 Citation III - Fatal Accident (Mexico) Date: Monday 15 December 2025 Time: c. 12:31 LT Type: Cessna 650 Citation III Owner/operator: Jetpro SA Registration: XA-PRO MSN: 650-0032 Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off Category: Accident Location: 2,7 km SW of Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos Int Apt (TLC/MMTO), Toluca - Mexico Phase: Approach Nature: Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi Departure airport: Acapulco-Alvarez International Airport (ACA/MMAA) Destination airport: Toluca-Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport (TLC/MMTO) Investigating agency: DGCA Mexico Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Cessna 650 Citation II, XA-PRO, operated by Jetpro SA, crashed into a warehouse, about 2,7 km south-west of the threshold of runway 33 at Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos Intrnational Aiport (TLC/MMTO), Toluca. The ten occupants perished and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft took off from Acapulco (ACA) at 11:55 hours on a short flight to TLC. About 12:30, after having been cleared to land on runway 33 at TLC, the flight radioed they were going around. ADS-B data show the aircraft in a descending left-hand turn until it impacted terrain. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/563643 Boeing 727-227 Adv. (F) - Left Main Gear Partially Retracted on Landing (Colombia) Date: Friday 12 December 2025 Time: c. 03:41 LT Type: Boeing 727-227 Adv. (F) Owner/operator: Aerosucre Colombia Registration: HK-5216 MSN: 21996/1571 Year of manufacture: 1980 Engine model: P&W JT8D Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Category: Accident Location: Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ/SKBQ) - Colombia Phase: Landing Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ/SKBQ) Destination airport: Bogotá-Eldorado Airport (BOG/SKBO) Investigating agency: Aerocivil Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Aerosucre flight KRE141, a Boeing 727-227(A)(F), landed at Barranquilla (BAQ) with the left main landing gear partially retracted. The flight departed BAQ at 02:28 local time on a cargo flight to Bogotá (BOG). After takeoff the left main gear did not fully retract. The flight crew entered a holding pattern to troubleshoot the issue. At 03:24 a low pass was flown over the runway for a visual inspection from the ground. At 03:41 the aircraft landed on runway 05 with the left main gear partially retracted. The airplane sustained extensive damage to the left wing. There were no injuries. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/563491 FAA Investigating 777 Engine Failure A United Boeing 777-200 was forced to return to Washington Dulles International Airport on Saturday after one of its engines failed during departure. According to the FAA, United Flight 803 departed Dulles on Saturday afternoon bound for Tokyo. The crew reported the engine failure to air traffic control and turned around, landing back at the airport without incident at 1:20 p.m. No injuries were reported, and all 275 passengers and 15 crew members disembarked safely. The engine failure sparked multiple brush fires near the runway. Brush fire after United 803 departed from Dulles on Saturday. (Photo: Noah Escobar) Brush fire after United 803 departed from Dulles on Saturday. (Photo: Noah Escobar) In a post on X, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy specified the aircraft type as a 777-200ER and said the brush fires were caused by a piece of the engine cover that separated from the engine and fell to the ground. The FAA is investigating the incident. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/faa-investigating-777-engine-failure-144939692.html North Carolina-based nonprofit has airplane hijacked during supply delivery in Africa Samaritan’s Purse had a plane hijacked while flying medicine to a location in South Sudan Samaritan’s Purse had a plane hijacked while flying medicine to a location in South Sudan. SOUTH SUDAN (WBTV) - A plane that belonged to North Carolina-based nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse was hijacked while making a delivery in an African country on Tuesday, the organization confirmed. Samaritan’s Purse said a Caravan (Cessna Caravan) airplane was taking medicine to a mobile medical unit based in Maiwut, South Sudan when the hijacking happened. The nonprofit said the pilot was eventually able to land the plane in Wau, which is about 400 miles from the original destination. Once on the ground, the National Security Service of South Sudan arrested the armed hijacker. “We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome,” a Samaritan’s Purse representative said. In addition to the pilot, one Samaritan’s Purse staff member was also onboard the airplane. The Christian organization is headquartered in Boone, and is headed by Franklin Graham -- son of the late Rev. Billy Graham. Samaritan’s Purse does relief and ministry work worldwide. https://www.wbtv.com/2025/12/03/north-carolina-based-nonprofit-has-airplane-hijacked-during-supply-delivery-africa/ Spirit Airlines Survives Crunch Weekend After Securing $50 Million Lifeline Spirit Airlines has survived to fight another day after the embattled and heavily debt-laden budget carrier secured a $50 million lifeline at the eleventh hour. The new funding came at the end of a crunch weekend, during which at least two major rivals had started prepping contingency plans just in case the airline suddenly ceased operating. Rumors of Spirit’s potential imminent demise started to pick up traction on Friday as a crunch date in the Florida-based carrier’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy process fast approached. Spirit entered its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in less than a year in August with the aim of restructuring its business, slashing costs, and (hopefully) returning to profitability as an independent carrier. As part of these proceedings, Spirit has reached a deal with existing lenders and debtors to release up to $475 million in funding known as Debtor-In-Possession financing to keep the airline afloat during the Chapter 11 process. The airline secured an initial $100 million draw from this DIP pot in October, and a second draw of $75 million was made last month. For the third draw of $100 million, Spirit was required to meet several critical predefined conditions by Saturday, December 13. By Friday evening, however, the airline still hadn’t reached an agreement with lenders to meet these conditions. Without an agreement, the tranche of funding couldn’t be released, and Spirit would, inevitably, have to stop operations with almost immediate effect. On Monday afternoon, however, Spirit announced that it had managed to reach a compromise agreement with its lenders to amend the DIP agreement. The amendment allows Spirit to take an immediate draw of $50 million while it continues negotiations on a standalone plan of reorganization or a strategic transaction. In other words, the airline is in talks to continue reorganizing its business as has been the plan all along in this Chapter 11 process, but it is now also considering selling the company – perhaps in the form of an acquisition or potentially an asset sale. “We are grateful to our lenders for continuing to support Spirit’s transformation, recognizing all the significant progress our team has made in recent months,” commented Dave Davis, Spirit’s CEO, on Monday. “We continue to provide high-value travel options, which benefit American consumers whether they fly with us or not, and look forward to welcoming our Guests aboard throughout this holiday season and into the future.” The demise of Spirit would be a worst-case scenario for American travelers, with experts warning that the disappearance of the ultra-low-cost carrier would lead to higher airfares across many key markets. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/12/15/spirit-airlines-survives-crunch-weekend-after-securing-50-million-lifeline/ Airbus Still Has Over 100 Aircraft To Deliver To Reach Revised 2025 In its most recent revision, Airbus changed its delivery targets. In early December 2025, the European aircraft manufacturer said it would deliver around 790 aircraft this year, instead of the previously targeted 820. The company reduced its initial target in light of recent supplier quality issues affecting fuselage panels, which have impacted the Airbus A320 family's delivery flow. However, it remains unclear whether the manufacturer will be able to reach this target, as it still needs to deliver more than 100 aircraft. 133 Aircraft Are Still Needed To Hit 2025's Delivery Goal As of November 2025, Airbus had delivered a total of 657 aircraft to 87 customers worldwide. Based on current figures, the company needs to deliver an additional 133 aircraft to reach its revised 2025 delivery target of 790 aircraft. At the same time, the European aircraft manufacturer delivered approximately 29 aircraft during the first half of December, reflecting a slower-than-average delivery pace for the month. Industry sources and analysts told Reuters on December 15 that the slowdown is partly due to some airlines awaiting further information on corrective actions related to a recent fuselage issue. In a comment to Reuters, aviation analyst Rob Morris said: "If they are to deliver another 104 aircraft to achieve the restated guidance of around 790, that seems like a very steep challenge at this point in the month.” Airbus delivered 72 new aircraft to 42 customers in November 2025. This is 12 fewer aircraft than it delivered in the same month last year, marking a 12% drop in year-over-year production rates. The deliveries were also down from October’s total of 78, which had been the high point for Airbus deliveries so far this year. Weak performance in November prompted the planemaker to revise its delivery outlook, lowering its target by 30 aircraft. The company said the decision followed the discovery of a supplier quality issue affecting metal fuselage panels on its A320 family aircraft. The problem stems from panels produced by supplier Sofitec Aero that are manufactured at an incorrect thickness. Reuters reported that internal documents presented to airlines show that a total of 628 A320-family aircraft have been flagged for inspection. That includes 168 already in service, 245 on final assembly lines, and another 215 still in early stages of production. Airbus production in Toulouse Related Airbus Deliveries Drop: Will The Manufacturer Make Its Revised 2025 Target? The drop in deliveries has been blamed on quality issues with fuselage panels Last month, the Airbus A320 family experienced software issues that led to the temporary grounding of thousands of aircraft, potentially contributing to the recent slowdown in delivery progress. On November 28, 2025, Airbus ordered the grounding of numerous A320 family aircraft after investigators linked an A320 midair incident to a software glitch triggered by solar radiation. Approximately 6,000 aircraft were affected. Although the software fix was implemented quickly for most aircraft, some airlines were unable to avoid significant operational disruption. While many carriers completed the required updates promptly, others were forced to cancel numerous flights or warn passengers of potential cancellations and delays. The emergency directive to fix the software glitch happened after investigators linked a sudden loss of altitude on a JetBlue flight to interference caused by intense solar radiation. The JetBlue flight from Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on October 30, 2025, made a sudden, uncontrolled descent after a malfunction with its elevator aileron computer. As a result of the incident, the flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Tampa. Three passengers were injured during the severe loss of control, and the pilots of the flight in question informed air traffic control that the injured passengers may have sustained lacerations. The airline confirmed that medical personnel met the aircraft upon landing and transported those requiring treatment beyond basic first aid to local hospitals. https://simpleflying.com/airbus-still-over-100-aircraft-deliver-reach-revised-2025-target/ LATAM Brazil Offers Major Signing Bonuses for Embraer E2 Pilots Targeting type-rated pilots from competitors, LATAM launches a high-stakes hiring process for captains and first officers for its 2026 expansion. LATAM Airlines Brazil is recruiting captains and first officers for its incoming Embraer E195 E2 fleet, with onboarding starting February 2026 and aircraft arriving Q4 2026.The airline is offering substantial one-time signing bonuses: R$160,000 for captains and R$80,000 for first officers to attract type-rated crews.Applicants must already hold an Embraer E1/E2 type rating with recent experience (within last three years); captains require 5,000 total flight hours (3,000 in jets, 500 as PIC on similar or larger aircraft); first officers require 500 hours plus Commercial Pilot, instrument and multi engine ratings.Recruitment runs from December 15, 2025 through January 4, 2026 via LATAM’s careers portal and requires documentation including a first-class CMA and Brazilian passport.LATAM’s strategy targets pilots currently at Azul and Placar who have E Jet E2 experience, offering a higher salary floor and fast integration to operate the new fleet.This hiring push is part of LATAM Brazil’s broader expansion: a 20% workforce increase since 2023 and plans to operate in 63 Brazilian airports by 2026, strengthening domestic and international networks. The Brazilian aviation labor market is experiencing high-intensity movement with the opening of LATAM Airlines Brazil's selection process for captains and first officers destined to operate its new Embraer E195-E2 fleet. The airline seeks to secure type-rated crews before the aircraft's arrival, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, through a direct compensation strategy. According to our media partner Aeroin, applications have been open since Monday, December 15, and will run through January 4, 2026. The distinguishing feature of this recruitment drive is the financial incentive: the airline will pay a one-time hiring bonus of R$ 160.000 (approximately USD 27.000 at current exchange rates) for selected captains and R$ 80.000 for first officers. Talent Acquisition Strategy The move aims to attract professionals who already hold a type rating for the E-Jet E2 family. In Brazil's current landscape, this profile is found almost exclusively within the ranks of Azul Linhas Aéreas and Placar Linhas Aéreas. By offering a higher salary floor and a substantial signing bonus, LATAM seeks to integrate personnel ready to operate, optimizing the transition to the new aircraft model. What signing bonuses is LATAM Brazil offering for Embraer E195 E2 pilots? LATAM Brazil is offering a one time signing bonus of R$160,000 for captains and R$80,000 for first officers.When does the recruitment period run and when does onboarding start? Applications are open from December 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Onboarding of selected professionals begins in February 2026, with aircraft arriving in Q4 2026.What are the minimum experience and certification requirements for captains? Captains must have 5,000 total flight hours in regular airlines (RBAC 121), including 3,000 hours in jet aircraft and 500 hours as pilot in command on aircraft similar to or larger than the E2, plus a valid Embraer E1/E2 type rating with experience in the last three years.What qualifications are required for first officers? First officers must have at least 500 total flight hours, hold a Commercial Pilot license with instrument and multi engine ratings, and possess a valid Embraer E1/E2 type rating with recent experience.How can interested pilots apply? Qualified candidates can apply through LATAM Airlines Brazil’s careers portal and must provide required documentation, including a first class CMA and a Brazilian passport. Jerome Cadier, CEO of LATAM Brazil, noted that the opening of these vacancies reinforces the company's position as a market reference. The airline is the primary choice for those seeking to develop a solid career based on respect and transparency, the executive indicated, adding that the investment in the E2 expands opportunities to join a leading company growing sustainably. Technical Requirements and Expansion The onboarding of selected professionals will begin in February 2026. For the position of E195-E2 Captain, a minimum experience of 5.000 flight hours in regular airlines (under RBAC 121 regulations) is required, of which 3.000 must be in jet aircraft and 500 as pilot in command on aircraft similar to or larger than the E2. Meanwhile, aspiring First Officers must have 500 total hours, Commercial Pilot licenses, and instrument and multi-engine ratings. A mandatory requirement for both positions is holding a valid Embraer E1/E2 type rating with experience in the last three years. This move aligns with the growth of LATAM's workforce in Brazil, which has increased by 20% since 2023. The company projects operations in 63 Brazilian airports by 2026, consolidating its domestic network and international connectivity from its main hub and secondary bases. Interested candidates meeting the technical profile and required documentation (including a first-class CMA and Brazilian passport) can apply through the company's career portal. https://www.aviacionline.com/english/commercial-aviation/brazil/latam-brazil-offers-major-signing-bonuses-for-embraer-e2-pilots_a69406b526aee1cb88bd1f5b7 Rolls-Royce threatens to move £1.6 trillion jet engine project to US or Germany in snub to Labour Rolls-Royce could build a new range of jet engines in Germany or the US instead of Britain, in what would be a major blow to Labour’s faltering growth hopes. The FTSE 100 aerospace giant is being actively courted by politicians in Berlin and Washington over a programme that will create 40,000 jobs across the company and supply chain. It comes as surging energy costs – blamed on Ed Miliband’s Net Zero drive – are making it harder to make money from manufacturing in Britain. Derby-based Rolls-Royce is looking to re-enter the narrow-body engine market – worth £1.6 trillion globally – for planes used on shorter-haul flights. It is in talks with the Government over financial support for the programme – which Labour has identified as a key part of its industrial strategy. And it is understood that developing the engines in Britain is the preference of boss Tufan Erginbilgic, who has led a turnaround of the UK manufacturing giant. But insiders believe there are ‘plenty of options’ outside the UK. And without the taxpayer support it is seeking – in the hundreds of millions of pounds – it will weigh up building the engines in Germany or the US, two countries where it already has manufacturing sites – and where energy is much cheaper, the Daily Mail understands. The company is seeking financial backing from the UK towards some of the project’s £3billion research and development costs. But it estimates the business could generate more than £100billion for the UK economy. For Rolls-Royce to launch such a major manufacturing business overseas would be seen as a body blow to Britain. It would echo other Labour setbacks, such as AstraZeneca scrapping a £450million vaccine plant on Merseyside. Last month, the operator of the Channel Tunnel said it had cancelled future investments in the UK thanks to its soaring tax bill – further adding to fears that Keir Starmer’s government is driving business away. Rolls-Royce declined to comment yesterday. Labour has placed the development of narrow-body jet engines at the centre of its industrial strategy. Rolls-Royce builds engines for the wide-body long-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A350, having left the narrow-body market a decade ago. It is trying to re-enter the market, which includes Airbus’s A320. They represent a much larger number of aircraft, used on shorter routes such as flights within Europe. But the UK manufacturing sector is under huge strain because of soaring energy bills. Firms face electricity prices that are 50 per cent more expensive than in Germany and France and four times as expensive as in the US, a recent report from Santander warned. The report blamed successive governments for running down North Sea oil and gas resources that could have eased the transition to green energy – leaving consumers and businesses to foot the bill. A spokesman for the Department for Business and Trade said: ‘The UK has one of the world’s most competitive aerospace sectors, and we expect Rolls-Royce to continue to play a key role in the sector.’ https://www.msn.com/en-ie/money/other/rolls-royce-threatens-to-move-1-6-trillion-jet-engine-project-to-us-or-germany-in-snub-to-labour/ar-AA1SpbnG?cvid=69412798af19408abd1fbf6e29da1dc9&ocid=mailsignoutmd Air Force expects first delivery of delayed Boeing Air Force One jets in ‘mid-2028’ The new date marks some progress for the beleaguered Air Force One program, whose challenges have cost Boeing billions of dollars. WASHINGTON — Boeing is expected to deliver the first of two modernized Air Force One aircraft in roughly two-and-a-half years, a timeline earlier than recent forecasts but still well behind an original schedule for the embattled program, according to the Air Force. In a statement on Friday, an Air Force spokesperson said the service awarded Boeing a $15.5 million contract modification for communications equipment that will be integrated on the presidential airlifters, officially designated the VC-25B, bringing the total cumulative value of the deal to just over $4.3 billion. The new work, the spokesperson said, would be accomplished “within the current program schedule,” where the first aircraft is projected to arrive “in mid-2028.” The first new VC-25B was originally set to be delivered in 2024, meaning the fresh delivery date will be about four years late. The spokesperson did not say when the second aircraft was expected to arrive. Boeing referred a request for comment to the Air Force. After Boeing secured a deal personally mediated by President Donald Trump for the VC-25B in 2018, the program has since become one of the aerospace giant’s most troubled efforts. Hit by COVID-19 disruptions, workforce woes and other technical challenges, the laborious process for turning 747 commercial airlines into highly militarized command centers capable of weathering a nuclear blast has driven billions of dollars in losses for Boeing due to its fixed-price contract. After Trump voiced his displeasure earlier this year, Boeing and the Air Force worked to rescue the VC-25B program — which Breaking Defense earlier reported risked a first delivery of 2029 or even later — and accelerate its schedule. Among other changes, Boeing this year brought on a top Northrop Grumman executive to lead the flagging effort. The Air Force for its part also considered relaxing requirements to speed up the program, floating 2027 as a potential date for first delivery. It now appears that projection is no longer feasible. In the meantime, Trump has pointed to delays with the VC-25B as a reason to accept a luxury 747 airliner gifted by the Qatari government to serve as an interim Air Force One until the Boeing jets are ready. The Air Force has said that effort, in which L3Harris has reportedly been tapped to militarize the plane, should cost less than $400 million — a sizable sum that Air Force Secretary Troy Meink admitted was funded by moving money out of the Sentinel ICBM program. Data overload threatens decisionmakers as autonomy expands Reducing cognitive overload on warfighters while improving “time to trust” for autonomous systems is a matter of design. Meink also said the aircraft’s modifications should take less than a year after the Air Force accepted the Qatari jet. The Air Force revealed in September that conversion work had begun. Despite the very public nature of the VC-25B contract, the work surrounding the Qatari-donated jet has remained classified, largely without further explanation. Trump has said the aircraft is a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE” to the Defense Department, one that he would be “stupid” to reject. Democrats and ethics groups have criticized the acceptance of the aircraft as an example of corruption. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/air-force-expects-first-delivery-of-delayed-boeing-air-force-one-jets-in-mid-2028/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Singapore Airshow 2026 - FEBRUARY 3-6, 2026. . 60th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium - March 31 - April 1, 2026 (Irving, TX) . 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 . IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain) . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis