Flight Safety Information - June 1, 2026 No. 106 In This Issue : Accident: Eurowings A320 near Sarajevo on May 30th 2026, wake turbulence by A380 enroute : Incident: Virgin Atlantic A339 over Atlantic on May 30th 2026, engine stall in flight : Incident: Ryanair B738 near Bologna on May 28th 2026, captain incapacitated : Incident: JAL B763 at Tokyo on May 29th 2026, tyre damage on departure : Incident: Jetstar A21N near Adelaide on May 25th 2026, fuel leak : Incident: Delta B739 at Philadelphia on May 25th 2026, engine failure : Man tried to breach cockpit of United flight from Chicago, forcing pilot to issue hijacking alert : Government aims to remove Nepal from EU air safety list by mid-January 2027 : United flight to Spain turns back midair after possible security threat : Active Bluetooth user on airplane forces a flight to turn back : Swiss A330 aborted take-off at 106kt after engine failure: Indian investigators : Business Aircraft Accident Reports: June 2026 : Capital Jets Inc Earns ARGUS Platinum Rating | Aircraft Management & Air Charter Operator : FAA approves Boeing 737 MAX Production increase to 47 aircraft monthly creating hundreds of new Everett Factory jobs : Abusive passengers could be blacklisted from all airlines under new proposal : FAA issues new safety directive for Dassault Falcon 20 jets : NTSB report says incomplete landing checklist led to private plane's belly landing at Page Field : Graduate Research Request- A : Graduate Research Request - B : Calendar of Events Accident: Eurowings A320 near Sarajevo on May 30th 2026, wake turbulence by A380 enroute A Eurowings Airbus A320-200, registration D-AEWS performing flight EW-635 from Rhodes (Greece) to Cologne (Germany), was enroute at FL360 about 20nm east of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) when the aircraft was cleared to climb to FL380. An Emirates Airbus A380-800, registration A6-EUF performing flight EK-1 from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL380 about 13nm eastnortheast of Sarajevo and about 7.6nm ahead of D-AEWS. While climbing the A320 stopped the climb at about FL376 and returned to FL360 descending at up to 3000fpm. According to information The Aviation Herald received, the A320 encountered turbulence as well as wake turbulence from the A380 ahead causing minor injuries to 4 passengers and a flight attendant, who was thrown against the cabin ceiling. The A320 continued to Cologne where medical services awaited the aircraft. The injured were treated on board of the aircraft and subsequently taken to a hospital. CVR and FDR were secured. The A380 continued to London for a safe landing. The A320 remained on the ground in Cologne for about 4.5 hours before returning to service departing for the next sector with a delay of about 3.5 hours. According to ICAO recommendations the minimum separation between the A380 (Super) and a trailing A320 (Medium weight) at same altitude or 1000 feet below should be 7.0nm. In one of many more similiar occurrences an A380-800 sent a business jet into an uncontrolled descent in 2017, see Accident: Emirates A388 over Arabian Sea on Jan 7th 2017, wake turbulence sends business jet in uncontrolled descent. https://avherald.com/h?article=539eb978&opt=0 Incident: Virgin Atlantic A339 over Atlantic on May 30th 2026, engine stall in flight A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-900, registration G-VTOM performing flight VS-165 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Montego Bay (Jamaica) with 246 passengers and 13 crew, was enroute at FL360 over the Atlantic Ocean about 440nm west of Shannon (Ireland), when the crew needed to reduce their right hand engine to idle thrust (Trent 7000) following an engine stall. The aircraft turned around, drifted down to FL200 and diverted to Shannon for a safe landing on runway 24. The aircraft stopped briefly on the runway for an inspection by emergency services before taxiing to the apron. https://avherald.com/h?article=539e2f6f&opt=0 Incident: Ryanair B738 near Bologna on May 28th 2026, captain incapacitated A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-DYA performing flight FR-2770 from Milan Malpensa to Bari (Italy), was climbing out of Milan when the first officer stopped the climb at FL250 and decided to divert to Bologna after the captain became ill. The aircraft landed safely on Bologna's runway 12 about 20 minutes later. The captain was taken to a hospital. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration EI-DPP reached Bari with a delay of about 2:40 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Bologna for about 8 hours before returning to service on a flight to Alghero. https://avherald.com/h?article=539df789&opt=0 Incident: JAL B763 at Tokyo on May 29th 2026, tyre damage on departure A JAL Japan Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration JA615J performing flight JL-645 from Tokyo Haneda to Kagoshima (Japan) with 226 people on board, was climbing out of Haneda's runway 05 when the crew stopped the climb at FL200 due to suspected tyre damage after tyre debris had been found on runway 05. The aircraft positioned for a low approach to Haneda's runway 34R, which confirmed the two forward tyres of the main landing gear were damaged. The crew subsequently diverted to Tokyo's Narita Airport for a safe landing on runway 34L about 90 minutes after departure. The tyres were replaced on the runway, the aircraft was towed off the runway about 100 minutes after landing. Haneda's runway 05 was closed for about 3:45 hours. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported there were indications that a portion of the runway had peeled up requiring repair work. The Ministry is investigating whether the tyre damage is related. https://avherald.com/h?article=539d677e&opt=0 Incident: Jetstar A21N near Adelaide on May 25th 2026, fuel leak A Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-200N, registration VH-OFW performing flight JQ-37 from Sydney,NS (Australia) to Denpasar (Indonesia), was enroute at FL320 about 340nm northnorthwest of Adelaide,SA (Australia) when the crew detected a fuel leak, shut the right hand engine (LEAP) down and set course to divert to Adelaide. The aircraft drifted down to FL170 and landed safely on Adelaide's runway 05 about one hour later. The ATSB opened a short investigation into the occurrence. The aircraft returned to service about 37 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=539d6419&opt=0 Incident: Delta B739 at Philadelphia on May 25th 2026, engine failure A Delta Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration N833DN performing flight DL-2791 from Philadelphia,PA to Minneapolis,MN (USA) with 128 people on board, was climbing out of Philadelphia's runway 09L when the crew stopped the climb at about 14000 feet reporting the failure of their right hand engine (CFM56) and decided to return to Philadelphia for a safe landing on runway 09R about 25 minutes after departure. The aircraft stopped on the runway for an inspection by emergency services. The aircraft taxied to the apron about 5 minutes later. The flight was cancelled. https://avherald.com/h?article=539d553a&opt=0 Man tried to breach cockpit of United flight from Chicago, forcing pilot to issue hijacking alert Air traffic control audio reveals the terrifying moments in the sky that forced the pilot to issue a hijacking alert. Man tried to breach cockpit, forcing pilot to issue hijacking alert CHICAGO (WLS) -- Authorities in Wisconsin told ABC News the unruly passenger on Friday night appeared to be confused and in a mental health crisis. This comes as air traffic control audio revealed the terrifying moments in the sky that forced the pilot to issue a hijacking alert. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch It was a tense midair scare as a United flight 2005 from Chicago bound for Minneapolis was forced to change course after the airline said a 75-year-old man tried multiple times to breach the cockpit. The Boeing 737 took off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Friday night with 147 passengers and six crew members on board. But just before 9 p.m., the captain diverted to Dane County, Wisconsin as five law enforcement officers on board struggled to subdue the man in the aisle. Mike Rundle snapped a photo from his seat and says the man seen in blue is not the suspect but instead was helping to interpret. "Five officers came on the plane, asked him to stand up, put handcuffs on him, and walked him out. We are taking this very seriously, and of course, you have to you never know the intentions of any person that might be trying to get into the cockpit of a commercial airplane," Rundle said. "Somebody with the, some sort of device and a sweatshirt that said bomb squad walked by. We were going to have to go to the gate. So, law enforcement could sweep the plane." No injuries were reported. The remaining passengers resumed their flight after security checks. The FBI is leading this investigation and told ABC News no charges will be pursued. https://abc7chicago.com/post/united-flight-diverted-madison-man-tries-breach-cockpit-airlines-2005-chicago-forces-hijacking-alert/19202809/ Government aims to remove Nepal from EU air safety list by mid-January 2027 Budget prioritises tourism and aviation reforms, including wellness tourism push and restructuring of aviation authority. Government aims to remove Nepal from EU air safety list by mid-January 2027 Nepal Airlines will fly to Sydney on Thursdays and Sundays with a stopover in Singapore. Shutterstock The government has prioritised tourism and civil aviation as key drivers of economic transformation in the budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, introducing a new “wellness tourism” concept alongside infrastructure expansion and regulatory reforms. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, presenting the budget in Parliament on Friday, stated that the strategy aims to attract high-spending visitors by strengthening tourism infrastructure, enhancing safety systems in the Himalayas, and upgrading international aviation standards. The government has allocated Rs7.34 billion for the culture and tourism sector and Rs2.93 billion for civil aviation. As part of aviation reforms, the budget proposes splitting the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into a regulator and a service provider by mid-January 2027. Successive governments had also included the provision in the previous budgets but the plan never materialised. This is the first time that the government has announced the timeline. The move is aimed at supporting Nepal’s removal from the European Commission’s air safety list. Nepal has been kept in the bad books of the European Union since December 2013 due to poor regulatory measures, hurting Nepal’s tourism sector. Under the tourism strategy, Nepal will be promoted internationally as a wellness tourism destination. Preparations will also begin for “Tourism Year 2028-29” and “Nepal Wellness Year 2027”, alongside incentives for investment in high-end resorts and hotels. In mountain tourism, the government plans to name unnamed peaks above 6,000 metres and promote them in international markets. Rescue systems and safety mechanisms for climbers and trekkers will also be strengthened. New trekking routes, including the Great Himalayan Trail and the “Danphe Route” spanning Sudurpaschim and Karnali, will be developed. Additional routes across Api Himal, Dordi Himal, and the Tinjure–Pathibhara region are also planned, along with cycling trails in parts of Gandaki Province. In cultural and religious tourism, Rs830 million has been allocated for infrastructure development in Lumbini. Janakpur will be developed as an international wedding destination, while the Ram Janaki Path will be upgraded. The government will also pursue UNESCO World Heritage listing for Tilaurakot in Kapilvastu, Janakpurdham, and Gokarneshwar. The budget also proposes expanding homestay programmes in Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim to link local culture with tourism, with a focus on Dalit and Indigenous communities. In aviation infrastructure, Rs1.53 billion has been allocated for upgrading the Tribhuvan International Airport. The government said the long-delayed Nijgadh International Airport will have its implementation model finalised within six months. Private sector partnerships will be used to operate the Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Pokhara International Airport fully. Night flights will be introduced at Bharatpur Airport, while Surkhet Airport will be expanded and runway upgrades carried out at Talcha Airport in Mugu and Tarigaun Airport in Dang. https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/05/30/government-aims-to-remove-nepal-from-eu-air-safety-list-by-mid-january-2027 United flight to Spain turns back midair after possible security threat Security came to inspect aircraft in Newark after report of Bluetooth device with a ‘certain four-letter word’ A United Airlines plane bound for Spain from Newark Liberty international airport turned around mid-flight on Saturday due to a possible security threat. That came one day after another United Airlines flight bound for Minneapolis from Chicago was diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday because an unruly passenger evidently tried to breach the cockpit. Saturday’s flight departed at about 6pm for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, but landed back at Newark Liberty at 9.37pm, according to the airport’s operator, the port authority of New York and New Jersey. The airline said there were 190 passengers and 12 crew members onboard the Boeing 767 aircraft. Chicago-to-Minneapolis United Airlines flight diverted after attempted cockpit breach According to air traffic control audio, security came to inspect the aircraft after someone named their Bluetooth device a “certain four-letter word”. A passenger posting on social media said crew members repeatedly asked passengers to turn off all Bluetooth devices – but two of them remained on. The flight turned around after communicating with the airline’s headquarters in Chicago. Passengers had to evacuate as port authority police swept the aircraft. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers re-screened passengers before boarding again. The airline declined to provide specifics on the cause of the incident. Passengers boarded a replacement flight with a new crew, which took off early on Sunday morning and landed in Palma in the afternoon. That was at least the third major aviation episode involving a United Airlines flight in four weeks. On 3 May, an airline flight landing at Newark Liberty struck a light pole and a delivery truck, according to authorities. The truck’s driver had minor injuries. No one else was reported hurt. At this dangerous time We hope you appreciated this article. Before you close this tab, we want to ask if you could support the Guardian at this dangerous time for journalism in the US. For the next several days only, we are offering 50% off our most impactful monthly support option. According to a leading global watchdog, American democracy is now more imperiled than at any point since the 1960s, marked by a precipitous decline in press freedom – driven by mounting pressure from the Trump administration in the form of threats, criminal investigations, politicized regulation, frivolous lawsuits and, for public media, catastrophic funding cuts. Meanwhile, organizations that are supposed to be independent like the FBI and the FCC, our radio and television regulator, have also been targeting press freedom under Trump-aligned leadership, with the FBI raiding a reporter’s home and the FCC threatening ABC’s TV licenses after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about Melania Trump. The response from some ultra-wealthy and corporate media owners, keen to appease the president, has been chilling: CBS News has been taken over by a Trump ally; CNN is poised to be taken over by the same billionaire; Jeff Bezos has continued to impose cuts and editorial interventions at the Washington Post; and multiple outlets have settled multimillion-dollar lawsuits from the administration to protect their business interests. Democracy is best served by a robust, thriving free press. But when that freedom is under attack, it falls to a determined few news organizations to ensure the full truth still reaches the public. Owned neither by a billionaire nor a corporation, the Guardian remains dedicated to covering this administration with uncompromising moral and factual clarity – and to keeping trustworthy journalism paywall-free for the world. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/31/united-airlines-flight-turns-around-spain-newark-security Active Bluetooth user on airplane forces a flight to turn back United Airlines flight 236 from New Jersey to Spain was forced to turn back because of a threatening Bluetooth connection. Active Bluetooth connection forces plane to return to departing airport | Image by PhoneArena Passengers on United Airlines (UAL) flight 236 from Newark, New Jersey to Palma de Mallorca, Spain were one hour into the 8-9 hour flight when they heard the pilot make an unusual announcement. According to passengers on the flight who posted on social media in real time, the pilot said that all passengers must turn off their Bluetooth connections or else the plane was going to be turning back to Newark. The passengers were not informed why they were returning to Newark The pilot was in touch with UAL headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and the demand for the active Bluetooth connections to be disabled came from the Windy City. Eventually two of the Bluetooth connections were shut, and the plane turned around returning to Newark Airport. What is the one mobile device you can't do without while flying? The passengers were not told the reason for the 180-degree change in direction. However, with the pilot's announcement in mind, it became obvious to them that one person on the flight had done something with his Bluetooth connection that threatened the safety of the crew, passengers, and the plane. UAL flght 236 as seen from the ground flying back to Newark. UAL flight 236 returning to Newark as photographed from the ground. | Image by Reddit What was interesting about this is that while passengers were able to use Wi-Fi to post on social media while flying back to Newark, there were some people on the ground monitoring the situation by listening to ground control. One person on the ground had a more dramatic experience as Redditor "SensitiveSubject3858" typed, "Saw your flight from my porch and said something is wrong no flight goes that way." One person on the ground also managed to capture an image of the plane as it flew overhead. A live feed from Newark Airport ramp control revealed what had happened The passengers were pretty much clueless until they read social media posts sent by those monitoring the situation. Some of the latter were listening to a live feed from Newark Air Traffic Control (ATC) on the Internet. Through that website, Newark Airport ramp control told an inquiring pilot on a different flight that a passenger on the flight was carrying a Bluetooth speaker with a connection designated with a threatening four-letter word. https://www.phonearena.com/news/bluetooth-connection-forces-airplane-to-turn-back_id180777 Swiss A330 aborted take-off at 106kt after engine failure: Indian investigators Twinjet bound for Zurich evacuated following incident at New Delhi in April. Indian investigators have disclosed that a Swiss Airbus A330-300 aborted its take-off roll at 106kt after its left-hand engine failed during departure from New Delhi. The aircraft, bound for Zurich on 26 April, had been taking off from runway 28. No abnormality was found during pre-flight inspection, says the Indian aircraft accident investigation bureau. The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, commenced its take-off roll from the J6 intersection. But according to surface-movement system data, the aircraft aborted its roll at about 106kt, some 85s after its crew was given take-off clearance. The jet stopped between taxiways G2 and G1 and firefighting personnel dealt with fire and smoke on the main landing-gear, before passengers were evacuated using seven of the eight slides. Four of the 232 passengers were injured during the evacuation. The aircraft was also carrying 13 crew members. The post-flight report listed an initial left-hand engine stall fault, followed by faults relating to rudder trim and air packs, and left-hand engine failure. According to the crew report, the engine failure occurred at about 110kt, “with a large bang and spitting a large flame forward, which was visible from the cockpit”. The crew decided to abort the take-off after the jet veered to the left. Preliminary information from the inquiry states that the left engine’s last overhaul had taken place nearly 10 years earlier, and the powerplant had operated for almost 40,000h before the failure. No fan-blade damage was observed during an initial inspection. Borescope inspection found damage to the high-pressure, intermediate-pressure and low-pressure turbine blades, as well as nozzle guide vanes. Damage was also discovered to high-pressure compressor blades and stator vanes. “There was no evidence of any uncontained failure,” the inquiry says. Although damage was “confined to the core” of the engine, it adds, the inability to rotate spools prevented identification of the cause of the failure during the borescope work. No conclusions have been reached and investigators have not yet released any safety recommendations. https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/05/swiss-a330-aborted-take-off-at-106kt-after-engine-failure-indian-investigators/ Business Aircraft Accident Reports: June 2026 Preliminary and final accident reports, June 2026 Preliminary Reports King Air Destroyed in Uncontrolled Descent Beech B200GT, March 22, 2026, Sharps, Louisiana The solo pilot was killed when the twin--engine turboprop crashed into a swamp following an uncontrolled descent from FL280. The final ADS-B position fix showed the airplane banked 66 degrees to the right in a 46.1-degree nose-down attitude; its final descent rate ranged from 32,000 to 45,000 fpm. Excavation of the accident site's 15-foot-deep impact crater failed to recover either engine or any “portion of the cockpit, cockpit flight controls, or instrument panel.” The flight from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) in Florida to Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) in Texas, proceeded uneventfully for nearly two and a half hours. After crossing the Alexandria, Louisiana VORTAC, the pilot asked the Houston Center controller if he could “leave your frequency for about 60 seconds.” He never checked back in, and less than 20 seconds later, the airplane began descending. The King Air’s cockpit voice recorder was recovered and successfully downloaded. It captured sounds of “clicks and rustling” followed by the autopilot disconnect alert. Track data showed that the airplane entered an increasingly steep descending right turn two seconds later. The remainder of the recording included the sounds of excessive bank, altitude, and overspeed alerts and the landing gear warning horn, but no speech. Final Reports Crew Exceeded Crosswind Limits in HondaJet Runway Excursion Honda HA-420 HondaJet, Jan. 28, 2024, Orlando, Florida A HondaJet pilot’s failure to control the twinjet after landing with known wind gusts exceeding the airplane’s crosswind limitation resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage, according to the NTSB final report. Contributing to the accident, the NTSB found, were the flight crew’s continued approach despite knowing that consistent wind gust crosswind components exceeded the published limitation, and an incorrect crosswind gust calculation made in flight. The two pilots and two passengers were not injured when the airplane veered off the left side of Runway 36L at Orlando International Airport (KMCO), and the left wing struck a distance-remaining sign. The pilot steered the aircraft back onto the runway and stopped on a taxiway. Inspection revealed substantial damage to the left wing’s forward spar in the area that contacted the sign. Nearly an hour and a half before landing, the crew reviewed the destination ATIS, which reported wind from 270 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 24. At 39 miles from the airport, the pilot flying checked the ASOS, which showed wind from 270 degrees at 13 to 14 knots. CVR recordings captured the crew discussing the crosswind component, aircraft operating limitations, company procedures, and the option of diverting to a better-aligned runway at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL). The pilot flying elected to continue to the planned destination. About 1.2 miles from the approach end of the runway, the tower advised wind from 290 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 24. The NTSB noted that gust values at the destination consistently exceeded the airplane’s published crosswind limitation for the majority of the five-minute ASOS observations during the 1 hour 23 minutes before the accident, and that conditions should have prompted either an earlier diversion or a go-around on short final after the crew was informed of the gusts. In-flight Break-up Attributed to Icing Rockwell International 690A, May 5, 2024, Palmyra, Virginia The NTSB concluded that structural icing led the airplane to break up at FL200. The pilot and only passenger were killed; the resulting debris field stretched more than three and a half miles. Examination of the wreckage suggested that the tail likely separated first, followed by the right wing; the horizontal and vertical stabilizers were found about three-quarters of a mile north of the main wreckage and showed no evidence of the fire that consumed much of the cockpit and left wing. The aircraft departed Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF), Virginia, to Georgetown County Airport (KGGE), South Carolina, at 08:28 local time, establishing cruise flight at FL200. The pilot’s preflight weather briefing included an Airmet for moderate icing between the freezing level, estimated at 9,000 feet to 13,000 feet, and FL240 covering a portion of that route. Twenty-five minutes after departure, the airplane abruptly reversed course. The pilot responded to the controller’s query by saying, “We have lost…We need to climb,” and subsequently clarified, “We have lost autopilot.” Radar contact was lost shortly afterward, and a witness saw the airplane flying “on its left side and on fire in the middle of the airplane” before it struck trees directly across from his house. The 63-year-old airline transport pilot’s most recent insurance application showed 3,801 hours of flight time, of which 2,860 hours were in turboprop aircraft. The airplane was equipped with de-icing boots and a heated windscreen but was subject to an airworthiness directive prohibiting use of the autopilot during more severe icing, “as it could mask tactile cues indicative of adverse changes in the airplane’s handling characteristics.” Pilots were instructed to “immediately contact air traffic control and ask for a change in altitude to exit the icing conditions.” Wind Shift Cited in Fatal Autorotation Accident Airbus AS350B, May 2, 2025, 5.5 nm east of Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport, Yukon Territory, Canada An undetected reversal of wind direction led the helicopter to drop to zero airspeed without losing groundspeed during an attempted power recovery from a practice autorotation, causing it to enter vortex ring state (VRS) when power was increased. Because the training flight took place over a dry lakebed on the floor of a mountain valley with little to indicate wind direction, neither of the highly experienced pilots on board was aware of the shift when it occurred. The accident occurred about 5.5 nm east-southeast of the Whitehorse/Erik Nielsen International Airport (CYXY) during onboard training for the operator’s new chief pilot (“the candidate”) conducted by a Transport Canada-approved authorized check pilot (ACP) contracted for the flight. Following a series of maneuvers and emergency procedure reviews, the pilots conducted both straight-in and 180-degree autorotations to the south, into the prevailing winds. The fifth of the series was a straight-in autorotation entered from 1,500 feet above ground level at 100 knots. The rate of descent stabilized at 1,400 fpm after airspeed was reduced to 60 knots. The candidate began the flare at about 100 feet with 65 knots airspeed, slowing the helicopter to 20 knots over the next 30 feet of descent. Airspeed then dropped to zero while groundspeed remained unchanged, and the rate of descent increased. Recognizing the onset of vortex ring state, the ACP used forward cyclic in an attempt to recover, but the helicopter hit the ground, spreading the skids and striking the tail rotor, then bounced, spun, and rolled onto its left side. “At least one of the main rotor blades” penetrated the cabin and struck the candidate, causing fatal injuries. Responding to the emergency locator transmitter and a call on the ACP’s satellite phone, the first emergency responders reached the scene 25 minutes after the accident. The candidate held an airline transport license for helicopters and a commercial airplane license, with about 9,800 hours of flight experience that included 1,900 hours in type. The ACP held a commercial license for both helicopters and airplanes and had logged some 13,000 hours in helicopters, including 7,000 hours in type. He was also reported to be experienced in mountain flying and familiar with the accident site. Following the accident, the operator changed policy to require all emergency training to “be conducted at an airport with suitable facilities to report or indicate wind direction and speed.” Anonymous Tip Revealed Unreported Accident Cessna 650, June 13, 2025, Westplains, Colorado Three months after the event, an anonymous informant notified the FAA that damage to the twin-engine jet from an unreported accident was being repaired in the owner’s hangar at Airlake Airport (KLVN) in Lakeville, Minnesota. At the request of the NTSB, reports were eventually made on Form 6120.1 by both pilots and the airplane’s operator. The flight from Harry Reid International Airport (KLAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada, to KLVN was under the command of a 58-year-old airline transport pilot and flight instructor. A 26-year-old commercial pilot and flight instructor in the right seat was given instruction en route. The pilot reported that near the Nebraska-Colorado border, he attempted to overfly an area of convective activity at FL410 and Mach 0.75 but encountered “heavy turbulence and hail,” causing damage, including a cracked outer windscreen on the pilot’s side. He responded by descending to FL350 and slowing to Mach 0.68, and continued to KLVN rather than making a precautionary landing. Photographs of the airplane taken by the FAA show extensive damage to the radome, the leading edges of both wings, and the empennage, in addition to the shattered outer windscreen. The pilot in command reported 13,400 hours of flight experience and held nine different type ratings. The right-seat pilot reported 1,172 hours of experience and held single-, multiengine, and instrument ratings but was not type-rated in the CE650. The NTSB noted that the airplane was not approved for single--pilot operation. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-06-01/business-aircraft-accident-reports-june-2026 Capital Jets Inc Earns ARGUS Platinum Rating | Aircraft Management & Air Charter Operator The Airline is Recognized for its Commitment to Safety and Operational Excellence. CHARLESTON, SC / ACCESS Newswire / June 1, 2026 / Capital Jets, a 14 CFR Part 135 aircraft operator, serving clients across the United States, has earned the ARGUS ... The Airline is Recognized for its Commitment to Safety and Operational Excellence. CHARLESTON, SC / ACCESS Newswire / June 1, 2026 / Capital Jets, a 14 CFR Part 135 aircraft operator, serving clients across the United States, has earned the ARGUS Platinum Rating, one of the most respected independent safety ratings in business aviation. The Platinum Rating is awarded to operators that successfully complete an on site comprehensive audit of their safety systems, operational controls, pilot standards, maintenance practices, and regulatory compliance. For Capital Jets, the rating reflects the company's continued investment in disciplined operations, strong safety culture, and service model built on trust. "Safety is not some kind of talking point for us, it's the foundation of how we operate." said Nathaniel Huetteman, Vice President of Flight Operations. "This accreditation validates our systems, training, and accountability that we've built into our operation as we continue to grow the Capital Jets operation." The achievement comes as Capital Jets continues to expand its presence in the private aviation market, with a focus on safety-driven flights, personalized service, and operational transparency. By meeting ARGUS Platinum standards, Capital Jets further strengthens its position as a trusted partner for private clients, corporate travelers, and aviation stakeholders seeking a safety-focused operator. "Earning ARGUS Platinum within 18 months of beginning operations is a meaningful achievement for our team," said Anthony Temperino, Director of Operations. "As we continue to grow our fleet and expand the scope of our services, this rating reinforces the foundation we are putting in place to scale responsibly while maintaining the standards our clients and partners expect. Capital Jets provides private aviation services with an emphasis on safety, responsiveness, and exceptional client support. The company continues to invest in its operational infrastructure, team development, and service capabilities as it grows its footprint in the private aviation sector. About Capital Jets Capital Jets is a South Carolina-based private aviation operator specializing in aircraft management, aircraft acquisitions, and on-demand charter. Operating aircraft, including the Learjet 60 family, the company serves private clients and corporate travelers across the United States with a focus on safety, transparency, and personalized service. For more information, visit https://capitaljets.com/. https://www.standard-journal.com/ap/state/capital-jets-inc-earns-argus-platinum-rating-aircraft-management-air-charter-operator/article_01acbff8-7768-555d-a7e9-fb9b814ef26d.html FAA approves Boeing 737 MAX Production increase to 47 aircraft monthly creating hundreds of new Everett Factory jobs LYNNWOOD — Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced Wednesday, May 27, that the company has passed the Federal Aviation Administration’s capstone review, clearing the way to raise monthly 737 MAX production from 42 to 47 aircraft—a move requiring hundreds of new jobs for the Boeing Everett factory. “All of our key performance indicators have been very positive,” Ortberg said Wednesday during the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference. “We’re off and rolling now for the 47 a month rate, and we should be there in the next couple of months.” The increase is the latest step in Boeing’s long recovery from strict FAA oversight that began after the January 5, 2024, midair door-plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. As previously reported by the Lynnwood Times, the incident prompted the FAA to cap 737 MAX production at 38 planes per month in January 2024 to force the manufacturer to focus on safety and quality improvements. Boeing worked through a series of regulatory performance gates under its Safety and Quality Plan. In September 2025 the FAA reinstated the company’s limited authority to issue airworthiness certificates. One month later, on Oct. 17, 2025, the FAA approved the first major production increase to 42 planes per month. The capstone review completed last week marked the final major regulatory hurdle for the incremental step to 47 planes per month. Ortberg shared on Wednesday that the 737-7 and -10 programs are in the final stages of achieving certification and expects that to happen this year. He noted the 737-10 is roughly 80% through its certification flight testing. On 777X, Ortberg expects the certification flight test program to be completed by the end of the year. The 737 MAX is built primarily at Boeing’s Renton factory south of Seattle; however, Boeing is in the process of opening a new 737 MAX production line this summer in Everett where the company will manufacture 737s for the first time—the increase will support Boeing’s new “North Line.” The new North Line will be capable of building all 737 MAX models and will initially focus on producing the 737-8, 737-9 and 737-10. Production in Everett will replicate the 737-build process used in the Renton factory, apart from the introduction of the 737 Wing Transport Tool, which will ferry partially completed wings for final assembly in Everett. Since April 2026, Boeing has been hiring up to 140 factory workers a week to support higher production rates and new models, Jon Holden, IAM union General Vice President of Training and Apprenticeships told Reuters. https://lynnwoodtimes.com/2026/05/31/737-max/ Abusive passengers could be blacklisted from all airlines under new proposal Abusive air passengers could be put on a national blacklist and prevented from flying with any airline under a new government proposal. The scheme would allow airlines to share information on disruptive passengers and potentially restrict their access to flights. Rowdy, problematic and drunken behaviour spikes during the busy summer travel period. Currently, if a passenger is banned by one airline, they can potentially book with another. "Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but antisocial behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable," a government source told the BBC. "It threatens the safety of passengers and crew, and disrupts hard-earned holidays." Officials from the Department for Transport will meeting with airlines this month to discuss how the proposal could work. The national database could be co-operatively managed by the government and the airline industry. If implemented, the move would not require any changes in current law, though it is not clear how the plan would work under current data protection - or GDPR - rules. At the moment sharing of passenger details is not allowed under GDPR, so a disruptive passenger, if banned from one flight, could book with another. "There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos," the government source added. "Everyone should be able to fly without fuss." The issue of disruptive passengers has been a concern for airlines for some time, with criminal prosecutions used in severe cases. In April, a court heard that drunk passenger Stephen Blofield, 61, became so abusive that the Ryanair pilot was forced to abort his first landing on a flight from Krakow to Bristol airport in November last year. Blofield was jailed for 10 months. In February, Jet2 banned two passengers from the airline for life after a mid-air brawl on a flight from Turkey to Manchester. The firm said the disruptive behaviour was "appalling" and led to an emergency landing in Brussels, where the men were arrested for intentional assault and battery. Airlines UK, which represents the airline industry, welcomed the idea and said it would work with the government on developing the proposal. "Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, is an important next step ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority," a spokesperson said. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c707pknywjno FAA issues new safety directive for Dassault Falcon 20 jets No comments were received from operators during the public comment period. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued updated maintenance requirements for a fleet of older French-built Falcon jets, citing concerns about structural safety. The directive, which took effect May 29, 2026, applies to 61 Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft registered in the US – specifically the C5, D5, E5, and F5 variants. It requires operators to update their maintenance and inspection programmes to address the risk of fatigue cracking, corrosion and structural damage that could compromise the integrity of the aircraft. The FAA says the new rules were prompted by updated guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which identified the need for stricter airworthiness limits on these planes. The directive supersedes a previous 2023 order covering the same aircraft. Operators have 90 days from the effective date to revise their inspection programs. The FAA estimates the changes will cost each operator around $7,650 in labor — roughly 90 work-hours at $85 per hour. No comments were received from operators during the public comment period. The Falcon 20 is a twin-engine jet that first flew in the 1960s and has been widely used for cargo, charter and training operations. https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/faa-falcon/ NTSB report says incomplete landing checklist led to private plane's belly landing at Page Field FORT MYERS, Fla. — A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board says that the pilot of a plane that made a belly landing at Page Field on May 9 was interrupted during a before landing checklist and did not complete it and missed putting down the landing gear. According to the NTSB report, the captain and first officer were in the plane. Throughout the flight the captain was instructing the officer. The report says the first officer couldn't recall whether he verbally called for the before landing checklist. The report says the captain had begun the before landing checklist, but was interrupted when air traffic control issued them their landing clearance and a warning system began turning on and off. The captain said he didn't go back over the checklist after the interruption and didn't call the checklist complete. The plane landed with its landing gear retracted at Page Field. Both occupants of the plane were uninjured. The report says the fuselage of the plane sustained major damage. https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/ntsb-report-incomplete-checklist-private-plane-belly-landing-page-field/71449859 Graduate Research Request - A Dear Pilots, My name is Giada Palusci, and I am a Master’s student in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy. As part of my thesis, I am conducting research on Fatigue Risk Management, with a particular focus on the relationship between sleep, jet lag, and work rosters among commercial pilots. Aviation safety depends heavily on the human element, and direct insights from flight crews are essential to better understand current operational challenges. If you are a commercial pilot, I would be extremely grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete this short, anonymous, and confidential survey. Survey Link: https://qualtricsxmbhmnrhr9l.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esP9sU63Y7tM9LM Upon completion of the study, I will be happy to share the final results with Dr. Lewis and the broader aviation community. Thank you very much for your time and for your continued commitment to advancing aviation safety. Kind regards, Giada Palusci Graduate Research Request - B My name is Michail Karyotakis, Lt. Col. (P) HAF, Part-time PhD Student in Aerospace, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at the Cranfield University in the UK. Currently, I am working on the final stage of my Research project, which is focused on developing a Flexible and Dynamic Safety Management Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations. I kindly invite you to participate in this survey validating or arguing against the findings of the respective research. Findings are illustrated in the form of questions. Everyone’s level and kind of experience is considered useful not to mention those with aviation and/or piloting background. By sharing your perspectives, you will contribute to developing effective and sustainable mechanism of safety risk management for Unmanned Aircraft Operations in the current aviation environment. Specifically, this Research is focused on: • Reviewing the existing Safety Management approaches for the UAS operations that are in the scope of the Research. • Introduce, test and validate the concept of Total System Safety Performance for UAS operations in the scope of this research. • Assessing Safety risks related to the operations of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Package Delivery. • Assessing the impact of Human Factors, Terrain management and different flight phases in UAS operations. • How could the current safety management framework for UAS operations be updated and streamlined according to the specific needs of every operator and the specificities of every UAS operation. Your participation in this survey is entirely voluntary, and it is estimated to take approximately 15 to 20 minutes of your time. This survey is undertaken as part of my research thesis submission and is not affiliated with any airline, training organisation, or any other. Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous (if desired by the participants, personal info may be shared). The survey will take about 15 minutes to be completed. Thank you in advance for your time and patience. Your participation is highly appreciated. Please click the link below to enter the survey: https://cranfielduniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3fvlBSGnO7TxeJ0 Student email: michail.k.karyotakis@cranfield.ac.uk CALENDAR OF EVENTS .2026 FAA-EASA International Aviation Safety Conference — June 16-18, 2026, in Chantilly, Virginia, with the theme “Safety Together: Innovation, Integration and Trust.” https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/newsroom-and-events/events/2026-faa-easa-international-aviation-safety-conference . Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course 7 to 9 July 2026; Woburn MA 01801 USA : APSCON/APSCON Unmanned 2026 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL - July 13-17, 2026 . ICAO/EASA Third Global RSOO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety — September 29–30, 2026, in Georgetown, Guyana., https://www.icao.int/events : Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 22-23 September 2026 . IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain) . ISASI - BOSTON 2026 - September 28, 2026 – October 2, 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis