Flight Safety Information - December 29, 2025 No. 256 In This Issue : Accident: Ryanair B38M near Brest on Dec 28th 2025, turbulence causes injuries : Incident: Austral B788 near Naples on Dec 27th 2025, burning odour on board : Incident: Delta A21N near Tampa on Dec 27th 2025, unusual odour on board : Incident: Serve B733 at Kinshasa on Dec 26th 2025, rejected takeoff due to burst tyres : Incident: Transavia France B738 at Fuerteventura on Dec 26th 2025, smoke in cabin : Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured : Delta Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Cabin Crew Smelled Strange Odor on Airplane : 2 jets narrowly avoid collision during takeoff at Houston airport, ATC recordings show : Near Mid-Air Collision After Parallel Runway Departure at Houston IAH Highlights Aviation Safety Lessons for : FAA Proposes Sport Pilot Test Updates : China's Juneyao Air will purchase 25 Airbus A320 series aircraft for a total price of US$4.1 billion. : Search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 expected to resume on Tuesday : Calendar of Events Accident: Ryanair B38M near Brest on Dec 28th 2025, turbulence causes injuries A Ryanair Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration EI-HGO performing flight FR-1121 from Birmingham,EN (UK) to Tenerife South,CI (Spain), was enroute at FL370 about 30nm northeast of Brest (France) when the crew decided to return to Birmingham. The aircraft initially performed a normal descent that evolved into a rapid descent below FL290. The aircraft levelled off at FL100 and returned to Birmingham for a safe landing on runway 15 about 50 minutes later. Emergency services attended to the aircraft. Passengers reported cabin service was in progress with the carts in the aisle, when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to a number of passengers. https://avherald.com/h?article=531dbf92&opt=0 Incident: Austral B788 near Naples on Dec 27th 2025, burning odour on board An Air Austral Boeing 787-8, registration F-OLRB performing flight UU-978 from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Dzaoudzi (France), was enroute at FL350 about 100nm east of Naples (Italy) when the crew decided to divert to Naples reporting a burning odour on board. The aircraft landed safely on Naples' runway 06 about 25 minutes later. The aircraft is still on the ground in Naples about 17 hours after landing. The airline reported a minor technical problem in the recirculation engine of a section of the cabin. The passengers were taken to hotels and are to continue the flight later the following day. https://avherald.com/h?article=531daf06&opt=0 Incident: Delta A21N near Tampa on Dec 27th 2025, unusual odour on board A Delta Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration N503DZ performing flight DL-504 from Orlando,FL to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 194 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL320 over the Gulf of Mexico about 230nm west of Tampa,FL (USA) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Tampa reporting an unusual odour on board. The aircraft landed safely on Tampa's runway 01L about 45 minutes later. A replacement Boeing 757-200 registration N6700 reached Los Angeles with a delay of about 5.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Tampa about 25 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=531dabec&opt=0 Incident: Serve B733 at Kinshasa on Dec 26th 2025, rejected takeoff due to burst tyres A Serve Air Boeing 737-300 freighter, registration 9S-AAI performing a freight flight from Kinshasa N'Djili to Mbujimayi (DR Congo), was accelerating for takeoff from N'Djili's runway 06 when the right hand main tyres burst prompting the crew to reject takeoff. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway, both right main tyres were shredded. The runway needed to be temporarily closed. DR Congo's BPEA reported: " B737-300 aircraft, registered 9S-AAI of the company SERVE AIR, almost experienced a runway exit following a flat tire on the 06 side at take-off at 05H59' (Zulu). After collecting data, the incident turns out to be a minor and the aircraft is in navigable condition." https://avherald.com/h?article=531cb40f&opt=0 Incident: Transavia France B738 at Fuerteventura on Dec 26th 2025, smoke in cabin A Transavia France Boeing 737-800, registration F-HTVT performing flight TO-4672 from Paris Orly (France) to Fuerteventura,CI (Spain), was descending through about 7000 feet towards Fuerteventura when the crew reported possible smoke in the cabin. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Fuerteventura's runway 01 about 5 minutes later. The passengers disembarked safely. The aircraft is still on the ground about 5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=531c0868&opt=0 Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured HAMMONTON, N.J. (AP) — Two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and critically injuring another, authorities say. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. The Federal Aviation Administration described the crash as a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and Enstrom 280C helicopter over Hammonton Municipal Airport. Only the pilots were on board each aircraft. One was killed, and the other was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Sal Silipino, owner of a cafe near the crash site, said the pilots were regulars at the restaurant and would often have breakfast together. He said he and other customers watched the helicopters take off before one began spiraling downward, followed by the other. “It was shocking,” he said. “I’m still shaking after that happened.” Hammonton resident Dan Dameshek told NBC10 that he was leaving a gym when he heard a loud snap and saw two helicopters spinning out of control. “Immediately, the first helicopter went from right side up to upside down and started rapidly spinning, falling out of the air,” Dameshek told the TV station. “And then it looked like the second helicopter was OK for a second, and then it sounded like another snap or something ... and then that helicopter started rapidly spinning out of the air.” Hammonton is a town of about 15,000 people located in Atlantic County in the southern part of New Jersey, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Philadelphia. The town has a history of agriculture and is located near the Pine Barrens, a forested wilderness area that covers more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares). The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash, Friel said. Investigators will likely first look to review any communications between the two pilots and whether they were able to see each other, said Alan Diehl, a former crash investigator for the FAA and NTSB. “Virtually all midair collisions are a failure to what they call ‘see and avoid,’” Diehl said. “Clearly they’ll be looking at the out-of-cockpit views of the two aircraft and seeing if one pilot was approaching from the blind side.” Although it was mostly cloudy at the time of the crash, winds were light and visibility was good, according to the weather forecasting company AccuWeather. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/one-person-dead-another-injured-182828771.html ***** Date: Sunday 28 December 2025 Time: c. 11:25 LT Type: Enstrom 280C Shark Owner/operator: M&M Charter LLC Registration: N280MG MSN: 1135 Year of manufacture: 1978 Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: Hammonton, NJ - United States of America Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) Nature: Unknown Departure airport: Hammonton Municipal Airport, NJ (N81) Destination airport: Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: An Enstrom F-28A, N520H, and an Enstrom 280C Shark, N280MG, were both destroyed following a mid-air collision and impact with terrain in Hammonton, New Jersey. The Enstrom 280C burst into flames and the main fuselage was consumed by fire. The pilot was killed. The F-28A did not catch fire and the pilot survived with serious injuries. ADS-B data shows that earlier in the day, at 0950 LT, the helicopters departed Vineland–Downstown Airport (28N) Vineland, New Jersey, and flew together northeast towards Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81), Hammonton, New Jersey. The helicopters were seen again southwest of N81 just a few seconds before the collision and in the general vicinity of each other. Both pilots were known to each other and flew together on weekly bases. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/564919 Delta Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Cabin Crew Smelled Strange Odor on Airplane The flight headed from Orlando to Los Angeles was diverted and made an emergency landing in Tampa on Dec. 27 A Delta Air Lines flight made an emergency landing after the cabin crew detected an unusual odor The flight, headed from Orlando to Los Angeles, was diverted and made an emergency landing in Tampa at around 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 27 A Delta spokesperson told PEOPLE that 194 passengers and six crew members were onboard the Airbus A321, and the diversion was made "out of an abundance of caution" A Delta Air Lines flight heading to Los Angeles made an emergency landing after the cabin crew detected an unusual odor in the plane. In a statement to PEOPLE, a Delta spokesperson said Flight DL504 was headed from Orlando to Los Angeles before being diverted and making an emergency landing at Tampa International Airport at around 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 27. The Airbus A321 made the emergency landing "out of an abundance of caution after the flight crew detected an odor onboard," the spokesperson said. At the time, 194 passengers and six crew members were onboard. "Customers were accommodated on an alternate aircraft and departed for Los Angeles earlier this afternoon," the Delta spokesperson said, noting the flight departed Tampa shortly after 3 p.m. and arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at 5:40 p.m. local time. The control tower at Tampa International Airport photographed on Nov. 6, 2025. Officials have not said if the cause of the odor is known. "At Delta, the safety of our customers and crew comes before anything else, and we appreciate our customers' patience," the Delta spokesperson added. This weekend's incident comes just weeks after a similar incident involving a strange odor as a Delta plane was landing in Texas. On Dec. 16, a Delta flight landing in Texas requested emergency services after reporting an “unknown odor or fumes” inside the cabin. When the aircraft arrived at San Antonio International Airport, five individuals reported falling ill. The San Antonio Fire Department told PEOPLE at the time that “notes indicated an unknown odor or fumes inside the cabin” of the inbound Delta plane. When the aircraft landed safely, all off-airport units were canceled with the exception of one EMS team. The EMS and four airport fire department units then evaluated five individuals from the flight “who were reportedly not feeling well,” according to the statement. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a notice on Sept. 4 stating that studies have shown aircraft cabin air is “as good or better than the air found in offices and homes.” However, rare “mechanical issues such as failures of an engine oil seal or recirculation fan bearing can cause fumes to enter the cabin.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/delta-flight-makes-emergency-landing-214710261.html 2 jets narrowly avoid collision during takeoff at Houston airport, ATC recordings show HOUSTON, Texas -- Two jets taking off from Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport narrowly avoided collision on Dec. 18, according to ABC News. According to air traffic control recordings obtained by ABC News, the flights were a Volaris Airlines flight to El Salvador and a United Express flight to Jackson, Miss. Flight records show the Volaris jet made an unauthorized right turn into the path of the United Express flight for an unknown reason. Both planes received collision avoidance alarms and were directed to take evasive action to prevent a collision. Following the alarms, both flights continued to their respective destinations. ABC News reached out to both airlines and has not yet heard back. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will respond to a request for information on Monday. https://abc7chicago.com/post/volaris-united-express-jets-narrowly-avoid-collision-taking-off-houstons-bush-intercontinental-airport-abc-news/18327960/ Near Mid-Air Collision After Parallel Runway Departure at Houston IAH Highlights Aviation Safety Lessons for A serious aviation safety incident unfolded at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the United States, drawing attention across the global travel and tourism community, particularly for routes linking North America and Central America such as El Salvador. A Volaris Airbus A320neo and a United Express Embraer E145 were involved in a near mid-air collision moments after takeoff, highlighting how critical layered safety systems are in modern air travel. The event occurred during standard parallel runway operations, a common practice at major international hubs serving millions of passengers annually. Despite correct air traffic control instructions and proper readbacks, a breakdown during execution placed both aircraft on a converging flight path shortly after departure. Ultimately, an onboard automated system acted as the final safeguard, preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome. For travelers, aviation professionals, and tourism stakeholders, the incident has served as a sobering reminder that while commercial flying remains one of the safest modes of transport, continuous vigilance, procedural discipline, and advanced technology are essential to maintaining confidence in international air travel between the United States, El Salvador, and beyond. Parallel Runway Departures at a Major US Hub Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, known as IAH, is among the busiest gateways in the United States, handling extensive domestic and international traffic that supports both business and leisure travel. Parallel runway operations are routinely conducted at such airports to maintain efficiency and minimize delays for travelers. On December 18, two aircraft were cleared for departure from Runways 33L and 33R, which share an approximate heading of 330 degrees. This configuration allows simultaneous takeoffs when carefully coordinated by air traffic control. The Airbus A320neo operating as Volaris El Salvador flight N3-4321 was scheduled to depart for San Salvador, a key tourism and business destination in El Salvador. Almost concurrently, a United Express flight operated by CommuteAir was preparing for departure to Jackson, Mississippi, serving regional connectivity within the United States. The timing between the two departures was approximately 20 seconds, well within operational norms. Clear Instructions but a Critical Execution Error Air traffic control provided precise post-takeoff instructions designed to ensure immediate lateral separation between the two aircraft. The Volaris flight was instructed to execute a left turn to a heading of 110 degrees after becoming airborne, while the United Express aircraft was assigned a slight right turn to 340 degrees. These diverging headings were calculated to safely separate the flight paths almost immediately after departure. The instructions were read back correctly by both flight crews, confirming that communication itself was accurate. However, after liftoff, the Volaris aircraft initiated a right turn rather than the required left turn. This maneuver directed the A320neo toward the departure path of the United Express Embraer E145, creating an immediate and serious collision risk. The geometry of the situation amplified the danger. The Volaris aircraft was required to perform a turn exceeding 180 degrees to the left, while the United Express aircraft needed only a minimal right turn. As a result, any incorrect right turn by the Volaris jet would inevitably lead to convergence, especially during the critical climb phase immediately after takeoff. Escalation of Risk in a High-Workload Environment As the incorrect maneuver unfolded, the Volaris pilots contacted air traffic control to clarify whether a turn to 110 degrees should be made to the right. The controller reiterated the correct instruction for a left turn, without immediate awareness that the aircraft had already begun turning the wrong way. Radar displays were already showing collision alerts as the two aircraft closed distance both laterally and vertically. During this period, the controller was engaged in managing other departures and clearances, reflecting a high workload environment typical of peak operations at a major international airport in the United States. The developing emergency was not immediately prioritized, allowing the situation to escalate further. The first explicit indication on the radio frequency that an imminent safety threat existed came from the United Express pilots, who announced that a Resolution Advisory had been received. This alert signaled that onboard systems had detected an unacceptable proximity between the two aircraft. TCAS as the Final Safety Barrier The collision was ultimately avoided due to the activation of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, commonly known as TCAS, onboard the United Express aircraft. TCAS operates independently of ground-based air traffic control systems and is designed to intervene when all other separation measures have failed. Initially, the system issues Traffic Advisories to increase pilot awareness. If the threat continues to develop, Resolution Advisories are generated, directing pilots to perform immediate vertical maneuvers to increase separation. In this incident, a full Resolution Advisory was issued, prompting decisive action that prevented a mid-air collision. Although such maneuvers can be abrupt and have, in past incidents, resulted in injuries when occupants were unrestrained, no injuries were reported in this case. The timing shortly after takeoff meant that passengers and crew were still seated with seatbelts fastened, minimizing physical risk. Human Factors and Crew Resource Management Analysis of the incident has pointed to pilot error rather than miscommunication. The controller instructions were correct, and the readbacks accurately reflected those instructions. The failure occurred during execution, indicating a lapse in situational awareness and crew cross-checking. From a human factors perspective, the instruction to execute a turn exceeding 180 degrees may have contributed to cognitive confusion. Such large turns can feel counterintuitive, especially during high-workload phases of flight. While this does not excuse the error, it has highlighted the importance of robust crew resource management practices, where both pilots actively monitor aircraft position, heading, and nearby traffic. Given that the Volaris aircraft departed from the left runway while another aircraft departed from the right, basic spatial awareness cues should have reinforced that a right turn posed an immediate risk. This aspect has been central to discussions about training and procedural reinforcement. Implications for Travel and Tourism Confidence For the global travel and tourism sector, particularly routes connecting the United States and El Salvador, incidents like this attract close attention. Millions of travelers rely on major hubs such as Houston IAH for seamless and safe connections. While the event was serious, it also demonstrated the effectiveness of layered safety systems designed to protect passengers. The absence of injuries and the successful intervention by automated technology have reinforced confidence in modern aviation safety. Such systems serve as a reassurance to tourists and business travelers that even when human errors occur, multiple safeguards remain in place. Ongoing Review and Broader Context The Federal Aviation Administration has not confirmed whether a formal investigation will be launched, though incidents of this nature typically undergo detailed internal safety reviews. Parallel runway operations are known to carry inherent risks, as illustrated by other recent global events involving runway or alignment confusion. This Houston incident has reinforced key lessons for airlines, regulators, and airports worldwide. Strict adherence to procedures, effective workload management for controllers, continuous crew cross-checking, and reliance on automated safety systems remain essential components of safe air travel. For travelers exploring destinations across the United States, El Salvador, and beyond, the event has served as a reminder that aviation safety is built on constant vigilance and continuous improvement, ensuring that global tourism remains both accessible and secure. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/near-mid-air-collision-after-parallel-runway-departure-at-houston-iah-highlights-aviation-safety-lessons-for-travelers-in-the-united-states-and-el-salvador/ FAA Proposes Sport Pilot Test Updates Changes aim to reflect expanded aircraft privileges and reduce regulatory conflicts. Key Takeaways: The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed revisions to the sport pilot Practical Test Standards intended to align testing requirements with the recently finalized MOSAIC rule. The proposal would update three existing sport pilot PTS documents to reflect how sport pilots and flight instructors will be certified and evaluated. The agency says the changes are largely conforming in nature and would not alter how tests are conducted, but would clarify which aircraft and standards apply during certification and proficiency checks. Why the FAA says changes are needed The proposal is driven by regulatory changes adopted under the MOSAIC final rule, published in July 2025, which removes the long-standing definition of “light-sport aircraft” from federal regulations. Under MOSAIC, sport pilot privileges are instead tied to new performance and design limits, expanding the range of aircraft sport pilots may operate. The FAA says the current sport pilot PTS documents still rely on the soon-to-be-removed light-sport aircraft definition, creating the potential for conflicts between testing standards and the underlying regulations. According to the FAA, those inconsistencies could lead to confusion over which aircraft may be used for practical tests or proficiency checks. By revising the PTS to reference “aircraft” meeting the new regulatory requirements rather than “light-sport aircraft,” the agency says it can ensure that examiners, instructors and applicants are working from standards that reflect the expanded privileges authorized under MOSAIC. How testing requirements would change One of the more substantive changes affects sport pilots and flight instructors who are adding airplane privileges to an existing sport pilot certificate. In this context, adding airplane single-engine land or sea privileges refers to a sport pilot who is already authorized in another category, such as gyroplane, glider, powered parachute or lighter-than-air, and is seeking authorization to fly fixed-wing airplanes that meet sport pilot operating limits. Under current rules, those airplane privileges can be added through training and a proficiency check conducted by flight instructors. Under the MOSAIC final rule, however, adding airplane privileges would instead require completion of a practical test administered by an FAA-approved pilot examiner. The FAA’s proposal updates the applicable Practical Test Standards to reflect that shift and align the testing documents with the revised certification requirements. The proposal also updates terminology throughout the three PTS documents, including replacing multiple examiner titles with the single term “pilot examiner,” revising references to flight instructors with a sport pilot rating, and correcting outdated or inconsistent regulatory citations. The FAA says these edits are intended to improve clarity and consistency, not to impose new requirements on applicants. Expected impact on pilots and instructors The FAA estimates the proposal would not result in major new costs for pilots, instructors or testing organizations, noting that the PTS are freely available online and that the scope and content of practical tests would remain unchanged. The agency says aligning the PTS with MOSAIC will support the broader shift toward performance-based standards and help ensure consistent application of the new sport pilot operating limits. Public comments on the proposal are due by Jan. 7, 2026. The FAA said it will consider all timely comments before deciding whether to finalize the revisions to the sport pilot Practical Test Standards. https://avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-proposes-sport-pilot-test-updates/ China's Juneyao Air will purchase 25 Airbus A320 series aircraft for a total price of US$4.1 billion. Shanghai based Juneyao Air (previously Juneyao Airlines) announced that it plans to sign an Aircraft Purchase Agreement with Airbus, under which it will purchase 25 Airbus A320 series aircraft for a total price of US$4.1 billion. Subject to the approval by state, Airbus will deliver the aircraft to Juneyao Airlines in batches between 2028 and 2032. The December 29 announcement stated that the transaction aligns with the company's development plan and market demand. It will expand the company's carrying capacity , benefiting its overall development strategy and long-term capacity replenishment. The announcement read as, Shanghai Juneyao Airlines Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Company" or "Juneyao Airlines") intends to enter into an "Aircraft Purchase Agreement" with Airbus (AIRBUSS.AS, hereinafter referred to as "Airbus"). According to the agreement, the Company will purchase 25 Airbus A320 series aircraft from Airbus (hereinafter referred to as "this Transaction"). After approval by the State, Airbus will deliver the aforementioned aircraft to the Company in batches from 2028 to 2032. The announcement further read as, "On December 29, 2025, the company's 22nd meeting of the 5th Board of Directors approved the "Proposal on the Company's Purchase of Aircraft," which is subject to shareholder approval and national approval." The new aircraft will be delivered in batches from 2028 to 2032, with the actual net increase in capacity remaining within a controllable range. The fulfillment of this aircraft procurement contract will have no significant impact on the company's operating results for this year, nor will it have an adverse impact on future operating results. The company will provide funds for this transaction using its own funds, commercial bank loans, and other financing methods. The transaction proceeds will be paid in installments , and it is not expected to have a significant impact on the company's cash flow or business operations. This transaction will not result in related-party transactions or competition with other companies, and the aforementioned contract will not affect the company's business independence. Juneyao Airlines stated that Airbus offered the company significant price discounts in the aircraft transactions, therefore the actual transaction price of the aforementioned aircraft will be significantly lower than the base price of the aircraft. Shanghai Juneyao Airlines Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Shanghai Juneyao (Group) Co., Ltd., and officially commenced operations in September 2006. As of July 2025, the company will have 93 Airbus A320 series aircraft and 10 787-9 Dreamliners , forming a dual-fleet transportation system. A320 family isa single-aisle, twin-engine, medium-to-short-range passenger aircraft , as one of the world's best-selling commercial aircraft, it typically has a passenger capacity of 150-180 seats and a range of 4,900-6,200 kilometers. As of 2025, the cumulative number of deliveries has exceeded 12,260, surpassing the Boeing 737 family to become the most delivered aircraft in aviation history. https://fl360aero.com/detail/china-s-juneyao-air-will-purchase-25-airbus-a320-series-aircraft-for-a-total-price-of-us-4-1-billion/2257 Search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 expected to resume on Tuesday Marine robotics firm to renew its search more than decade after plane disappeared with 239 people onboard The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is expected to resume on 30 December, more than a decade after the plane disappeared with 239 people onboard in one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. A renewed search by Ocean Infinity, a UK and US-based marine robotics company, had begun earlier this year but was called off in April because of bad weather. The Malaysian transport ministry announced this month that the search of the seabed would be conducted intermittently over 55 days from 30 December. Ocean Infinity has agreed a “no find, no fee” contract with Malaysia, under which the company will search a new 5,800-sq-mile (15,000-sq-km) site in the ocean and be paid $70m (£52m) only if wreckage is discovered. The company has declined to comment on the latest search. Flight MH370 veered off course and vanished from air traffic radar during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on 8 March 2014. It was carrying 12 Malaysian crew and 227 passengers, most of whom were Chinese citizens. Thirty-eight Malaysian passengers were also on board, along with seven Australian nationals and residents, plus citizens from Indonesia, India, France, the US, Iran, Ukraine, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Russia and Taiwan. The flight’s disappearance led to one of the world’s biggest underwater search operations. Australia led the multinational effort, along with Malaysia and China, that covered more than 46,330 sq miles of the seafloor in a remote area of the southern Indian Ocean. The search ended in January 2017. in a report later that year, Australian investigators the inability to bring closure for victims’ families was a great tragedy and almost inconceivable in the modern age. In 2018, Ocean Infinity conducted a three-month search, though this also proved fruitless. Debris, some confirmed to be from the plane, has washed up over the years along the coast of Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean. This has been used in drift-pattern analysis to help narrow down the plane’s possible location. Details on the location of Ocean Infinity’s latest search has not been given, and the Malaysian transport ministry has said only that it would be in “a targeted area assessed to have the highest probability of locating the aircraft”. In 2018, an official investigation by Malaysia concluded the plane was manually turned around midair, rather than being under the control of autopilot, and that “unlawful interference by a third party” could not be ruled out. However, the report dismissed theories that had suggested the pilot and first officer brought the flight MH370 down in a suicide mission, and ruled out mechanical failure as a cause. The relatives of those onboard have long said answers are needed to prevent another tragedy. They have welcomed the renewed search effort. Danica Weeks, whose husband, Paul, an Australian citizen who was a passenger, said this month her family have “never stopped wishing for answers”. “I truly hope this next phase gives us the clarity and peace we’ve been so desperately longing for, for us and our loved ones, since March 8th 2014,” she said. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/29/search-for-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-expected-to-resume CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Singapore Airshow 2026 - FEBRUARY 3-6, 2026. . VERTICON 2026 - Atlanta March 9-12 . 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) . ISASI - 2026 (September/October 2026) - Dubai, UAE . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis