Flight Safety Information - June 25, 2026 No. 124 In This Issue : Incident: FlyCAA A321 at Kindu on Jun 24th 2026, "safety event" : Incident: LATAM Chile A320 at Puerto Montt on Jun 23rd 2026, bird strike : Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 - Incapacitated Crewmember (Boston) : Passengers restrain pilot during apparent medical emergency on 'terrifying' flight : Close Calls in the Sky: Air Safety Under the Microscope : Pilot and Passenger Fatally Injured in Crash Following In-Flight Engine Issues : Maya Haworth Kick-Starts Her Aviation Safety Career : Transport ministry approves Korean Air's integration with Asiana Airlines : Willis Lease Finance Corporation acquires three Airbus A330-300 aircraft for leasing to China Airlines and EVA Air. : Libya and EU discuss expediting the resolution of outstanding issues preventing lifting of EU flight ban : Electric air taxis need a perfect safety record. They won't get one : FAA brings on AI, software partner for ATC modernization as industry champions tech upgrades : Russian airline warns of critical jet fuel shortage, says flights have lost ‘all economic rationale’ : Calendar of Events Incident: FlyCAA A321 at Kindu on Jun 24th 2026, "safety event" A FlyCAA Airbus A321-200 freighter, registration 9S-AJM performing flight BU-282 from Kisangani to Kindu (DR Congo), was on approach to Kindu's runway 18, however, ADS-B data suggested a serious offset from the aircraft true position, the aircraft positioned abeam of the runway center line and began to descend and some turning to get aligned with the runway, but then went around from about 2200 feet MSL. The aircraft climbed to 3000 feet, positioned for another approach to runway 18 but again aligned off the runway centerline, began to descend and went around a second time from about 1900 feet MSL. The aircraft then positioned for an approach to runway 36 again not aligning with the runway centerline but this time managed to turn onto the runway. The aircraft touched down at a high pitch angle, a cloud of dust arose from the tail of the aircraft, that rolled out without further incident. DR Congo's BPEA reported: "The BPEA was informed by a third party that a CAA aircraft, of type Airbus A321-212PCF, reg. 9S-AJM, was involved in a safety event during its landing at Kindu." The aircraft is still on the ground in Kindu 6 hours later. https://avherald.com/h?article=53b01eab&opt=0 Incident: LATAM Chile A320 at Puerto Montt on Jun 23rd 2026, bird strike A LATAM Chile Airbus A320-200, registration CC-BAZ performing flight LA-311 from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas (Chile), was climbing out of Puerto Montt's runway 35 when a vulture was ingested by the left engine (CFM56) causing the engine to emit streaks of flames and bangs and produce vibrations. The crew levelled off at about 3000 feet, shut the engine down and entered a hold. The aircraft returned to Puerto Montt for a safe landing on runway 35 about 90 minutes after departure. Passengers reported the left engine emitted sparks, streaks of flames and bang. The captain subsequently announved, the vulture had impacted the left engine. A replacement A321-200 registration CC-BEA reached Punta Arenas with a delay of about 7:20 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 19 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=53affa3a&opt=0 Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 - Incapacitated Crewmember (Boston) Date: Wednesday 24 June 2026 Time: Type: Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 Owner/operator: Air Canada, opb PAL Airlines Registration: C-GPOE MSN: 4048 Year of manufacture: 2001 Engine model: P&W Canada PW150 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 61 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Location: Boston-Logan International Airport, MA (BOS/KBOS) - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Passenger Departure airport: Newark-Liberty International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR) Destination airport: Halifax-Stanfield International Airport, NS (YHZ/CYHZ) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Air Canada flight AC7664, a DHC-8-400, was diverted to Boston (BOS) after the captain experienced a medical issue. The captain was removed from the cockpit and the first officer took control. A safe landing was made at BOS, where an ambulance was waiting. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/572950 Passengers restrain pilot during apparent medical emergency on 'terrifying' flight Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight helped restrain a pilot who experienced a medical emergency that they say appeared to be a seizure for about 40 minutes after the aircraft suddenly swerved midflight, according to a passenger who spoke exclusively with ABC News. Air Canada said Flight AC7664, operated by regional partner PAL Airlines, was en route from Newark, New Jersey, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday when the captain experienced the medical emergency, the airline said. The first officer took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely. The captain was taken to a hospital for medical treatment, according to the airline. The De Havilland Q400 was carrying 61 passengers. Air Canada said it is working to arrange alternate travel for those on board. Rodney McDonald, who was traveling with his wife and two sons, told ABC News the ordeal began when the aircraft unexpectedly lurched. "The moment the plane swerved, I knew something was wrong because it was not turbulence," he said. "It really felt like someone had jilted the controls and then it happened over and over again. And, you know, every thought goes through your mind, you start praying. My boys instantly started praying." McDonald said a flight attendant rushed into the cockpit before pulling one of the pilots into the aisle. "One of the flight attendants entered the cockpit frantically and a few moments later, he was dragging one of the pilots out of the cockpit onto the aisle way of the airplane," he said. McDonald said the pilot appeared to be experiencing a seizure, and he and about four other passengers helped restrain him while the co-pilot flew the aircraft to Boston. Those potentially experiencing a seizure should never be held down due to the risk of further injury, the CDC notes. Instead, the area should be cleared of sharp or dangerous objects; they should be turned gently on their side, and their airway should be kept clear. "Yeah, it was really horrifying. I was sitting in the front row, my family was from their back, just the way the seat arrangement worked out," he explained. "And I went back to sit with them and then realized that the pilot was out of control physically, not violently, like it was clear that he was not in control of his faculties and needed to be restrained." He continued, "[We] worked to get him under control, it was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes of keeping him down and using as many seatbelts as we could to restrain his legs arms and chest." McDonald said a registered nurse on board helped direct passengers and assist the pilot during the medical emergency, while he praised the flight attendants for remaining calm throughout the ordeal. "The flight attendants were stupendous. They stayed calm," he said. Emergency responders met the aircraft after it landed in Boston. McDonald said he was grateful everyone made it off safely. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/passengers-restrain-pilot-during-apparent-012659392.html Close Calls in the Sky: Air Safety Under the Microscope Hundreds of close calls happen in American airspace every single day — and most of them never make the news. From a Delta flight forced to abort its landing in Boston with an American Airlines jet just 300 feet away, to last year's deadly midair collision over Washington that killed 67 people, questions about aviation safety are back at the center of a national debate. So what's actually being done? Lawmakers are divided over whether to require GPS-based tracking technology that would let flight crews see surrounding air traffic in real time — technology the NTSB has recommended since 2008. The Senate wants to mandate it on nearly every plane. The House isn't so sure. Meanwhile, runway safety is also under the microscope after a plane struck a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in March. Experts say major runway incidents are down sharply — but pilots and senators alike say the system still needs work. https://www.13abc.com/video/2026/06/24/close-calls-sky-air-safety-under-microscope/ Pilot and Passenger Fatally Injured in Crash Following In-Flight Engine Issues ADS-B data recorded the Cessna 421C as it departed Vance Brand Airport (KLMO) in Longmont, Colorado, about 1515. It was en route to Ogden-Hinckley Airport (KOGD) in Ogden, Utah. Transmissions made to ATC revealed that when the airplane was in the vicinity of Yampa, Colorado, about 1557, the pilot reported a “cylinder temperature issue” and requested to divert to Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (KSBS) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. ATC cleared the pilot for the visual approach to Runway 14 at KSBS. ADS-B flight track data map for the fatal Cessna 421C accident flight near Steamboat Springs. ADS-B data showing the accident flight track. Courtesy NTSB. The airplane overflew KSBS, and when queried about his intentions, the pilot initially requested vectors to realign with the airport, but then requested to divert to Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL) in Fort Collins/Loveland, Colorado. About 1609, while flying towards KFNL, the pilot reported to ATC that the left engine lost power. ATC cleared the pilot back to KSBS for a landing. An employee at the FBO at KSBS was monitoring the universal communications frequency and reported that the pilot radioed a 4-mile final for Runway 16. Shortly after that the pilot reported that he was on the base leg for Runway 32. At 1622:57, ADS-B data showed the airplane south-southwest of the runway about 825 feet above ground level (AGL), heading 051° at 107 knots ground speed. The last recorded ADS-B data point was at 1623:03, when the airplane was about 135 feet, heading 040° at 40 knots ground speed. Density altitude was calculated to be about 10,207 feet. An airline transport-rated pilot observed the airplane while it was on the base to final turn for Runway 32. He told investigators that the wings leveled momentarily before the plane made a 60° left-bank turn and then entered a stall/spin in a counterclockwise rotation. The airplane hit terrain and a post-impact fire ensued. Both the pilot and passenger were fatally injured. A review of the pilot’s logbook found that around March 2021, the pilot stopped making regular entries into his logbook. The last entry was dated Dec. 28, 2021, which only listed the airplane tail number on a local flight for instrument flight rules dual training with no time provided. No further times were logged in his logbook. Using solely the hours logged in the logbook, the pilot had 383.2 total hours with 59.2 hours in make and model. On his most recent application for an FAA medical certificate dated Sept. 13, 2023, he reported having accrued 600 hours, with 10 hours in the preceding six months. A telephone interview was conducted with the flight instructor who performed the pilot’s last flight review in 2022. She stated that she did not remember the accident pilot in great detail. She said that her normal multi-engine flight review would include several simulated engine out approaches. She stated that all her flight reviews are flown until the pilot meets or exceeds standards. She did not recall which airplane was used for the flight review. The airplane impacted terrain between two mobile homes about 0.4 miles from the approach end of runway 32. The airplane came to rest on a 180° magnetic heading and impact signatures were consistent with the airplane impacting in a near-horizontal attitude with little forward velocity. The main wreckage consisted of the entire airplane and both engines. All components remained relatively attached to the airplane. The propeller blades on the left engine appeared to be feathered. Most of the cockpit instrumentation and avionics devices were consumed by the post-impact fire, including the installed digital engine monitor. The flaps were found fully extended and the landing gear was found fully retracted. Flight control cable continuity was established from the control surfaces to the cockpit for the rudder, rudder trim, elevator, elevator trim, aileron trim, and flaps. Continuity from the left aileron could be established to the cockpit but the right aileron cables both had a tensile separation aft of the wing locker. The ailerons and flaps were not observed however, their attachment point hardware was found in the wreckage. The empennage control surfaces were all thermally damaged, but the attachment point hardware was found in the wreckage. The left fuel selector was located between the left and right main tank settings. The right fuel selector was selecting the left main tank. Both engines were removed from the airplane and shipped to Continental Aerospace Technologies for further examination. Due to extensive thermal damage to the engines and accessories, neither engine could be run. Examination of the left engine found damage to the starter adapter spline and broken teeth on the crankshaft gear. The crankshaft gear remained properly timed with the crankshaft cluster gear, however it could not be determined if the idler gear slipped timing. The idler gear is used to drive the magnetos. In addition, there was improper hardware securing the cylinder No. 6 intake valve. Due to thermal damage, testing of the ignition and fuel systems could not be accomplished. No anomalies were detected with the right engine. A review of maintenance logbook entries found that the starter adapter assembly was last examined in accordance with Airworthiness Directive 2007-05-15 on June 19, 2023, during a combined 100-hour and annual inspection. Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude. NTSB Identification: 194487 To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device. This June 2024 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. https://generalaviationnews.com/2026/06/23/cessna-421c-fatal-stall-spin-crash/ Maya Haworth Kick-Starts Her Aviation Safety Career Cultivating Early Curiosity Maya Haworth (’27) is already setting herself up for a successful career. Pursuing a B.S. in Aeronautics with minors in Aviation Safety and Business Administration, Maya knew these disciplines were a fit long before she set foot on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s Florida Campus. A teacher persuaded Maya to apply to Embry Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus while in her high school’s aerospace career tech program. “I decided to take the chance and apply, and from that point on, I worked really hard throughout high school to make it possible,” she shared. “I’m really glad I pushed myself because it led me to where I am today.” She is homing in on the crucial role of aviation safety in her studies and professional pursuits. “Since safety is such a critical part of aviation, I wanted to make sure I fully understand it from multiple perspectives.” Her enthusiasm and ambition have already led her down an impressive path. Soaring Beyond the Classroom Maya’s internships at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and American Airlines have deepened her appreciation for safety practices in aviation and learning at large. While producing a more user-friendly medical guide for the FAA, she began to understand the vast reach and impact that safety-focused initiatives have on the aviation industry. Swiftly following her FAA internship, Maya joined the American Airlines team as an air safety investigator and emergency planning and response intern. She developed a safety investigation project while working with various FAA safety programs. “I was able to collaborate with experts across the industry and gain insight into the medical side of the decisions the FAA makes,” she elaborated. “That experience also helped me with my projects at American Airlines by strengthening my ability to work on team projects and understand how aviation safety is applied in the real world.” Putting Lessons into Action Maya applied her takeaways from the internships to her coursework, which brought the material to life for her. Moreover, Maya began to understand what a future career as an accident investigator could look like — and she liked what she saw. Her genuine interest and hard work secured her return to the American Airlines safety team for summer 2026. “What I’m most excited about is returning to a team I grew really close with and being able to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve built during my time at Embry Riddle and from last summer’s internship.” As Maya’s resume expands, her professional experiences off campus and leadership roles on campus continue to complement one another. Leadership Paves the Way Maya initially joined the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) student chapter as the treasurer. Now in her third year, Maya serves as the president, connecting with professionals in the field, organizing events and furthering ISASI’s mission of promoting air safety education. “I got involved through a recommendation from my professor, [Associate Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Instructor] Anthony Brickhouse, who suggested it would be a great fit given my goal of becoming an accident investigator,” she shared. “I decided to pursue the president position because I wanted to take on a leadership role and help other students who share the same passion for aviation safety.” Almost one year into the position, leadership has taken on a whole new meaning for Maya. She is fostering an environment where students can turn passion into action just as her mentors and supervisors have done for her. “I’ve learned how to communicate effectively, support others and lead by example,” she said. “It has also taught me the importance of being approachable and creating an environment where people feel encouraged to get involved, ask questions and grow.” Through leadership, Maya is learning the art of putting safety first. Maya Haworth 1 Maya is in her second semester as the ISASI president. Maya Haworth 2 Maya will return to American Airlines for a summer 2026 internship. Endless Opportunities at Embry Riddle The people and opportunities at Embry Riddle have confirmed for Maya that she’s in the right field. Maya credits Anthony Brickhouse and Leo Martinez, an assistant professor in the Applied Aviation Sciences department, for their support. She also notes that Zoe Messenger, an aviation safety coordinator and adjunct professor in the Aeronautical Science Department, has continued to inspire her. Where curiosity has brought her questions, excellent professors and mentors have guided her in seeking the answers. She encourages students to embrace traits like curiosity and confidence when trying new things and to lean into the opportunities available to them. “Be a sponge for information and really take advantage of everything around you,” she shared. “Some of the best growth comes from simply showing up and being curious!” Maya’s passion for becoming an accident investigator has flourished during her time at Embry Riddle. She plans to continue channeling her enthusiasm and skills into a meaningful impact on aviation safety in her early career and beyond. https://erau.edu/about/news-and-stories/hub-spoke/stories/maya-haworth-kick-starts-her-aviation-safety-career Transport ministry approves Korean Air's integration with Asiana Airlines South Korea's transport ministry on Thursday approved Korean Air Co.'s integration with Asiana Airlines Inc., paving the way for the launch of a combined entity in December. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport made the decision after Korean Air and Asiana Airlines applied for approval following the signing of an integration agreement last month. In November 2020, Korean Air signed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines, aiming to form the world's 10th-largest airline by fleet size. Asiana Airlines is currently being operated as a Korean Air subsidiary. The transport ministry said its advisory panel, composed of aviation, legal and accounting experts, conducted a thorough review of the application and concluded that the merger meets the legal requirements. The approval, however, was granted on the condition that Korean Air guarantees aviation safety and consumer convenience. The new entity will officially launch on Dec. 17. "The ministry will thoroughly oversee the integration to ensure aviation safety and consumer convenience are not undermined, given the significant impact the merger between the country's largest and second-largest air carriers will have on the overall aviation market," a ministry official said. (Yonhap) https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10788648 Willis Lease Finance Corporation acquires three Airbus A330-300 aircraft for leasing to China Airlines and EVA Air. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has announced the successful acquisition of three Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which will be leased to China Airlines and EVA Air. CEO Austin C. Willis highlighted the strong demand for aviation assets and services amidst challenges such as fleet growth and maintenance constraints, viewing the current market as an opportune time for investment in high-quality assets. This acquisition is part of the company's strategy to expand its portfolio and continue supporting its global customers. Willis Lease Finance, a leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines, also provides a range of aviation services, including maintenance and asset management solutions. The company included cautionary notes about forward-looking statements, emphasizing the potential risks and uncertainties that could affect its future performance. https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Willis+Lease+Finance+Corporation+Closes+Acquisition+of+Three+Airbus+A330-300+Aircraft+for+Lease+to+China+Airlines+and+EVA+Air Libya and EU discuss expediting the resolution of outstanding issues preventing lifting of EU flight ban Open key insights Libya and EU discuss expediting the resolution of outstanding issues preventing lifting of EU flight ban Tripoli based Minister of Transport, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, received Nicola Ornaldo, the European Union Ambassador to Tripoli, at the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority’s Tripoli headquarters yesterday. The two sides discussed the latest developments in communication between the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority and the European Commission's Aviation Safety Agency in Brussels, and ways to expedite the resolution of outstanding issues between them. The Transport Ministry reported that the EU Ambassador to Tripoli expressed his appreciation for the significant steps taken in this regard and his understanding of the importance of resolving the issue of lifting the air embargo as soon as possible. He also affirmed the mission's commitment to providing all possible support to enable the Libyan side to fulfil the European Commission's requirements in this matter. For his part, the Minister explained the main components of the Civil Aviation Sector Development Programme and the preparation, implementation, and evaluation phases the sector has undergone since the formation of the Government of National Unity. He noted the resulting resumption of air traffic to Libyan airspace and airports and referred to reports from international organizations and governmental bodies that confirmed Libya's compliance with international standards, regulations, and rules in the field of civil aviation. He emphasized that this must be considered when the European Commission evaluates the Libyan file. The EU Ambassador received a comprehensive briefing on the operational mechanism of the digital transformation system in civil aviation management, highlighting its high level of efficiency and speed. The Ministry reported that the Ambassador pledged to exert every effort to facilitate communication with the European Commission and create the necessary conditions for the Commission to expedite the review of the Libyan file. Meanwhile, Ambassador Orlando posted on his X account ‘‘Productive meeting this morning in Tripoli with H.E. Minister of Transport Mr. Mohamed Salem Al Shahoubi and the Chairman of the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, Dr Mohamed Abdulsalam Shlebek. We reviewed the progress achieved so far and agreed on an action plan to accelerate Libya’s removal from the EU Air Safety List. I was particularly impressed by the new Integrated Oversight Centre, which stands out as a model of effective digitalisation and modern management for the civil aviation sector.’’ https://libyaherald.com/2026/06/libya-and-eu-discuss-expediting-the-resolution-of-outstanding-issues-preventing-lifting-of-eu-flight-ban Electric air taxis need a perfect safety record. They won't get one A single accident has derailed every new transportation technology. Electric air taxis are nearly commercial and statistically guaranteed to have one Electric air taxi companies have real aircraft, real flights, and real money behind them. Joby Aviation is a partner in five of eight federal pilot projects. Archer Aviation has a factory ramping up in Georgia. The Federal Aviation Administration has created a formal regulatory pathway for what it calls the first new category of civil aircraft since helicopters. The industry is now years, not decades, from commercial reality. The optimistic case has never been stronger. It also rests on an assumption that deserves scrutiny: that the industry can reach commercial scale without a serious, public, fatal accident. Chevron's CFO says gas prices will come down — but not as fast as Trump wants The history of novel transportation technologies suggests it can't. When that accident comes, the damage won't be measured in engineering setbacks. It will be measured in public trust, regulatory retrenchment, and years of lost momentum. The cost of a single failure Any new technology must compile thousands of safe hours to build confidence, but a single failure can destroy it. Two recent cases show how that plays out. On March 18, 2018, an Uber $UBER +6.00% autonomous test vehicle struck and killed a 49-year-old pedestrian in Tempe, Ariz. The National Transportation Safety Board found the probable cause to be the safety driver's failure to monitor the road, compounded by Uber's "inadequate safety culture." By any technical assessment, the crash was an outlier. Human and organizational failures caused it. None of that mattered. Uber suspended all autonomous vehicle testing across San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, and Toronto. Arizona revoked Uber's testing permit entirely. Rivals such as Waymo became more cautious, and by December 2020, Uber had sold off its entire autonomous vehicle unit. One death set the most well-funded autonomous vehicle program in the country back by years and contributed to its corporate abandonment. The pattern holds at a larger scale. Two crashes killed 346 people aboard Boeing $BA +1.63% 737 Max aircraft, and the FAA grounded the entire fleet on March 13, 2019. It took 20 months and a wholesale redesign before the aircraft flew commercially again. Boeing disclosed a $5.6 billion reduction in revenue and pre-tax earnings in a single quarter, and the financial toll kept growing for years. Boeing was the world's largest aircraft manufacturer with a decades-long safety record. The damage reshaped global regulatory behavior and eroded passenger confidence in the 737 Max for years. Curiosity without confidence Electric air taxi companies are essentially asking the public to board a vehicle category that has never carried a commercial passenger. The FAA's certification framework, which prioritizes safety above all else, is built around that reality. The certification bar is high precisely because the margin for error is zero. A 2023 AAA survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. adults found that 68% were afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle — a 13-percentage-point jump from the prior year and the largest single-year increase since 2020. That fear persists in a technology category with millions of cumulative miles driven. A European safety agency study found the same pattern across 4,000 residents in six cities: 83% expressed initial enthusiasm for air taxis, but safety emerged as the dominant concern once they imagined the aircraft operating above their neighborhoods. The industry isn't naive about the fragility of public trust. Test incidents have already occurred. The NTSB documented a February 2022 crash of a Joby Aviation pre-production prototype during a remotely piloted test flight near Jolon, Calif. A propeller blade separated at about 210 miles per hour, triggering cascading failures that destroyed the aircraft. No one was injured because the test was conducted over uninhabited terrain. Joby implemented design changes and continued its flight test program, but the incident showed that mechanical failures will occur. And the consequences of such a failure with passengers aboard would be of a different order entirely. A timeline under pressure Early commercial aviation faced the same dynamic and navigated it — but at a far greater cost. A 1931 crash that killed Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne prompted public demands for stronger federal oversight, according to the FAA's historical record. A 1935 crash near Atlanta, Mo., killed Senator Bronson Cutting of New Mexico and forced Congress to investigate federal aviation oversight directly. Those incidents drove the passage of the Civil Aeronautics Act in 1938, creating an independent safety authority that evolved as more accidents and investigations accumulated. Aviation safety regulation was the byproduct of decades of public outrage. Electric air taxis don't have that kind of time. They're publicly traded, burning cash, and promising investors a timeline measured in years. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who signed a conditional order for electric air taxi aircraft, said in March 2026 that he now opposes operating the vehicles near crowded hub airports, saying he doesn't believe they can be operated safely without disrupting existing flight operations. When an airline CEO behind a billion-dollar-plus order begins backing away before a single passenger flight, the reputational fragility of the enterprise becomes visible. The most likely scenario isn't that electric air taxi technology fails. It's that it works well enough to enter commercial service, builds a solid early safety record, and then encounters the statistical inevitability of a serious incident. https://qz.com/evtol-first-crash-reputational-risk-air-taxi-industry-062226 FAA brings on AI, software partner for ATC modernization as industry champions tech upgrades During a hearing this week, airport stakeholders pushed for the adoption of tools that would bring improved safety and counter-UAS capabilities. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration is welcoming a new partner to its air traffic control modernization project amid renewed calls for technology upgrades by airport and industry stakeholders. The FAA picked Air Space Intelligence to create a central data platform, called the Flow Management Data Services, to proactively identify delays. FMDS will serve as the “new technological backbone” of the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center, the DOT unit said Monday in a press release announcing the 12-year, nearly $876 million contract. “We’re already making remarkable progress on upgrading the radars, radios, and telecom wires,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. “But to really improve the flying experience for the traveling public, we must change how flights are managed.” Within FMDS, the vendor will also create an AI tool that allows controllers to overlay weather patterns into one visualization, called Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories. SMART is expected to begin “initial operations” by the fall, per the FAA. ASI said both technologies will be fully deployed in the next 24 months. Airport and industry stakeholders are ready for the technology upgrades. During a Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation hearing Tuesday, witnesses emphasized the need for tools that would bring improved safety. “It is absolutely essential that we have the tools we need to do our job the safest, and weather is certainly an example of that,” Captain Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association International, the largest pilot union and largest non-governmental aviation safety organization, said of the importance of accurate weather data and predictions. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In, which allows aircraft to receive data from other aircraft and improves collision avoidance and situational awareness, was top of mind, too. “Everybody here agrees that ADSB-In could have avoided the accident here in D.C. for sure,” said James Viola, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, an international trade association representing 130-plus companies across the aviation sector. The National Transportation Safety Board said as much in February following its final report on the midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last year. Lawmakers have pushed back on grumblings about the price tag of the safety-enhancing technology, which costs about $50,000 per plane to retrofit. During the hearing, witnesses echoed the sentiment. “I don’t know why anybody would be opposed to this,” Ambrosi said. “It’s a readily available technology.” Drone-influx The need for enhanced situational awareness was underscored by concerns of increasingly congested airspaces due to unmanned aircraft systems. “Whether it’s a commercial airline, a private jet or UAS, they all present a risk,” said Chris Sununu, president and CEO of Airlines for America, a trade association comprising American Airlines, Delta Airlines, FedEx, UPS and others. “Integrating UAS safety regulation into all aspects, whether it’s through the FAA or other modes and regulatory frameworks, that manage the national airspace is absolutely integral.” “There can’t be any loopholes,” he added. Federal agencies have had a sharpened focus on the technology due to President Donald Trump’s “drone dominance” executive order that was signed last June. The FAA set up a new office to oversee its integration of drones and other advanced aviation technologies as part of a broader reorganization, which kicked off in January. The DOT unit has also worked to finalize drone-related rules, from policies on aircraft location-tracking and detection technologies to droneport operational evaluations. Though, these have yet to be finalized. “From the pilot perspective, we welcome this new technology and all these new entrants, but we have to proceed with caution,” Ambrosi said. “We have a responsibility as an industry to make sure that they’re integrated safely.” Governance and oversight are still a work in progress with unanswered questions aplenty. “Some airports would be interested in having that command and control authority,” said Todd Hauptli, president and CEO of the American Association of Airport Executives, the largest professional organization with 12,000-plus members representing airports and companies supporting the airport industry. “Other airports believe that that is a federal responsibility — that’s an issue that still needs to be resolved.” https://fedscoop.com/faa-atc-modernization-tech-upgrade-uas/ Russian airline warns of critical jet fuel shortage, says flights have lost ‘all economic rationale’ Russia is facing a critical jet fuel shortage that has made operating flights “economically pointless,” Azimuth Airlines said in a statement to the Association of Air Transport Operators, cited by the aviation Telegram channel Aviatorshchina. In early June, the airline’s primary jet fuel supplier notified it of plans to cut deliveries by roughly a third of the contracted volume, citing “force majeure circumstances at oil refineries” and a resulting reduction in jet fuel supply on the market. Alternative suppliers, Azimuth said, also lack the necessary fuel volumes. Prices have spiked sharply alongside the shortage. Since the beginning of June, jet fuel prices at Russian airports have risen by an average of 17%, and in Makhachkala the price of kerosene has jumped 64%, reaching 157,000 rubles. Under these conditions, Azimuth said, carrying out its planned flight schedule “loses all economic rationale” — on both international and domestic routes. The airline asked the association to appeal to the Energy Ministry to take measures to stabilize the situation. Russia’s fuel crisis began in late May 2026 amid intensified Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries. As a result of the strikes, Reuters reported that gasoline production in the country fell by about 25 percent between June 15 and 21 compared with the average daily level in June 2025. Restrictions on fuel sales for cars have been introduced in central Russia, as well as in the Irkutsk, Omsk, and Novosibirsk regions, and in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — Russia’s main oil-producing region. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, speaking at a meeting with Vladimir Putin, described the situation on the domestic market as “difficult but under control,” and characterized the shortages as “periodic logistical problems in certain regions and at certain gas stations.” https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/06/24/russian-airline-warns-of-critical-jet-fuel-shortage-says-flights-have-lost-all-economic-rationale CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 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 . EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - July 20–26, 2026 . July 20-24, 2026 | Farnborough, UK - Farnborough Airshow 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 . Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt- 29-30SEP2026 - Frankfurt, Germany . 79TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT MONTREAL | NOVEMBER 10-12, 2026. . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV . 2027 ACSF Safety Symposium - April 6-8, 2027 - ERAU Daytona Beach, FL Curt Lewis