Flight Safety Information - July 14, 2026 No. 137 In This Issue : Incident: Delta B763 near Bangor on Jul 10th 2026, fumes in cockpit : Incident: Jet2 B738 at Manchester on Jul 11th 2026, fumes in cockpit : Incident: Azul A20N at Sao Paulo on Jul 11th 2026, hydraulic failure : Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX - Cash - (Mexico) : United Flight Forced to Make Emergency Diversion 3 Hours Into Transatlantic Journey After Engine Vibrations : Flamingo Air AOC Temporarily Suspended Following Fatal Crash : Kyrgyz regulator revokes TezJet licence days after MD-83 taxiing accident : EU aviation agency warns airlines to avoid UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Gulf of Oman : The Orlando Flight That Went Nowhere : New 3D security scanners at Juneau’s airport lets travelers leave laptops in carry-on luggage : China's ICBC seeks return of four 737 MAX jets leased to SpiceJet, documents show : Embraer launches Phenom 300EV jet, deliveries due in 2028 : Calendar of Events Incident: Delta B763 near Bangor on Jul 10th 2026, fumes in cockpit A Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration N178DZ performing flight DL-244 from New York JFK,NY (USA) to Catania (Italy), was enroute at FL350 about 140nm southeast of Bangor,ME (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Bangor reporting fumes in the cockpit. The aircraft landed safely on Bangor's runway 33 about 35 minutes later. The FAA reported: "Delta Air Lines Flight 244 safely landed at Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:20 p.m. local time on Friday, July 10, after the crew reported fumes in the cockpit. The Boeing 767-300 departed from JFK International Airport in New York and was travelling to Catania, Italy. The FAA will investigate. " A replacememt Boeing 767-300 registration N199DN reached Catania with a delay of about 3 hours. The occurrrence aircraft returned to service about 19 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=53bc66b7&opt=0 Incident: Jet2 B738 at Manchester on Jul 11th 2026, fumes in cockpit A Jet2.com Boeing 737-800, registration G-JZBZ performing flight LS-869 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain), was climbing out of Manchester's runway 05R when the crew stopped the climb at FL100 due to fumes in the cockpit and decided to return to Manchester for a safe landing on runway 05R about 25 minutes after departure. A replacement Airbus A321-200 registration G-HLYB departed the following morning and reached Palma Mallorca with a delay of about 11:40 hours. The occurrence aircraft performed a test flight about 13.5 hours after landing and returned to service about 15 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=53bc57e0&opt=0 Incident: Azul A20N at Sao Paulo on Jul 11th 2026, hydraulic failure An Azul Linhas Aereas Airbus A320-200N, registration PR-YYA performing flight AD-2943 from Sao Paulo Viracopos,SP to Manaus,AM (Brazil), was climbing out of Viracopos' runway 16 when the crew stopped the climb at FL240 and entered a hold to troubleshoot a hydraulic problem. Subsequently the crew decided to return to Viracopos for a safe landing on runway 16 about one hour after departure. A replacement A320-200N registration PR-YRS reached Manaus with a delay of about 3.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 12 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=53bc5297&opt=0 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX - Cash - (Mexico) Date: Monday 13 July 2026 Time: c. 14:45 LT Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Owner/operator: Aerus Registration: XA-RFD MSN: 208B5713 Year of manufacture: 2022 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Category: Accident Location: 2.5 NM North of Monterrey - Mexico Phase: Approach Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Piedras Negras Airport (PDS/MMPG) Destination airport: Monterrey-General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY/MMMY) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Aerus Flight ZV165 from Piedras Negras to Monterrey, operated by a Cessna 208B, XA-RFD, force landed approximately 2.5 NM North of the intended destination after encountering technical difficulties. The 3 occupants, 2 crew and 1 passenger, were injured. The aircraft was severely damaged. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/573939 Flamingo Air AOC Temporarily Suspended Following Fatal Crash The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Freeport, Bahamas-based Flamingo Air is suspended, pending an outcome of the investigation into a July 10 fatal crash, regulators announced. The incident happened near the North Andros Airport and killed all 10 onboard the Cessna 402C, according to The Nassau Guardian, which described the crash site as a wooded area. On the day of the crash, another Flamingo aircraft experienced engine trouble, the paper reported—and the two incidents were cited by the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB) in announcing that a temporary AOC suspension would take effect. “This action has been taken by the Director General in the interest of aviation safety and security following two (2) safety occurrences involving the operator on 10 July 2026,” CAAB wrote in a notice. “This is a precautionary regulatory measure intended to ensure the continued safety of the travelling public.” An investigation is being led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AIAA) of The Bahamas. According to preliminary details released by AIAA, “the aircraft reportedly encountered difficulties and crashed into bushes prior to landing.” It happened while enroute to San Andros after departing Lynden Pindling International Airport, the authority wrote in a July 10 release. A team of investigators from AIAA along with inspectors from CAAB and airport authority personnel were dispatched to the scene. Andros is the largest island in the Bahamanian archipelago and is divided into North, Central, South Andros, and Mangrove Cay. Nassau, on the island of New Providence, is east of North Andros. Lynden Pindling Airport is the primary gateway airport to the Bahamas and the country’s largest, serving the capital Nassau. “Investigators will continue to gather and analyze factual information relating to all aspects of the occurrence, including the aircraft, flight operations, maintenance, meteorological information, air traffic services, and any other relevant evidence,” AIAA said in a July 11 statement. “At this stage of the investigation, no determination has been made regarding the cause or contributing factors of the accident.” Aviation Week Fleet Discovery data shows the 45-year-old aircraft, registered C6-FLX, was sold to Provincetown-Boston Airlines in 1983, subsequently passing through several owners before entering service with Flamingo in 2014. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/flamingo-air-aoc-temporarily-suspended-following-fatal-crash Kyrgyz regulator revokes TezJet licence days after MD-83 taxiing accident While taxiing for take-off to Osh, this TezJet MD-83 suffered a main-gear collapse Airports of Kyrgyzstan Civil aviation agency initiates inspections of country’s carriers and warns operators of tough penalties for violations. Kyrgyzstan’s air transport regulator has revoked the operating licence of carrier TezJet, after uncovering “serious” violations of aviation rules. The revocation by the Kyrgyz state agency for civil aviation follows a gear-collapse accident involving a Boeing MD-83 at Bishkek, as the aircraft taxied for a departure to Osh on 7 July. After opening an inquiry into the occurrence, the agency carried out unscheduled inspections of TezJet. “The inspection revealed serious violations of the aviation legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic that directly affect flight safety,” it says. It adds that, owing to the discovery, it has “decided to revoke the licence” of TezJet. “Passenger safety is the top priority for the state civil aviation agency,” it warns. In the aftermath of the TezJet accident the agency has also initiated plans to extend the inspections to all Kyrgyz carriers. “The strictest measures are taken against any operator that poses a threat to flight safety — regardless of the airline’s name, how long it has been operating, or its position in the aviation industry,” it says. The measures underline the Kyrgyz authorities’ keenness to crack down, having only just been removed from the European Commission’s blacklist after two decades. This followed a comprehensive on-site evaluation in March this year by European safety regulators. “Particular attention was also given to the [civil aviation agency’s] ability to ensure effective oversight of air carriers certified in Kyrgyzstan,” states documentation which accompanied the blacklist revision in June. The assessment confirmed that the agency has enhanced its aviation safety oversight system and made substantial progress in implementing a revised air code. “In the area of flight operations, the [agency] has established appropriate certification and surveillance procedures, including elements of risk-based oversight and recertification activities under the revised legal framework,” the documentation adds. https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/07/kyrgyz-regulator-revokes-tezjet-licence-days-after-md-83-taxiing-accident/ EU aviation agency warns airlines to avoid UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Gulf of Oman The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommends that airlines avoid operating within the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and over the waters of the Gulf of Oman, as Iran and the US carries out new attacks. The latest advisory is valid until July 29, EASA says. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eu-aviation-agency-warns-airlines-to-avoid-uae-bahrain-kuwait-qatar-gulf-of-oman/ The Orlando Flight That Went Nowhere The passengers on Virgin Atlantic flight VS135 boarded at Heathrow on Monday afternoon expecting palm trees and theme parks. Five hours later they climbed down the same set of stairs at the same London airport, no closer to Orlando than when they started — but a good deal more tired. The Airbus A350-1000 never crossed the Atlantic. It got as far as the edge of Irish airspace, spent two hours drawing lazy circles off the coast, and then gave up and went home. It is one of the more surreal ways to spend an afternoon: a transatlantic flight to nowhere. Quick Facts Flight: Virgin Atlantic VS135, London Heathrow (LHR) to Orlando (MCO) Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000 (reg. G-VELJ, as reported) Departed: Heathrow, ~14:00 local, Monday 13 July 2026 Time airborne: ~5 hours — none of it toward Orlando Reported cause: navigation system fault (per AIRLIVE) Outcome: returned to Heathrow ~19:00; flight cancelled A U-turn at the edge of the Atlantic VS135 lifted off from Heathrow at around 2:00 p.m. local time, climbed out over the west of England and set course for Florida. About an hour into the flight, as it reached the western edge of Irish airspace, the crew stopped heading west and started holding — flying a racetrack pattern off the Irish coast rather than pressing on across the ocean. That holding pattern lasted roughly two hours. To the flight-trackers watching online, the aircraft’s trace looked like a knot tied over the Atlantic approaches. Eventually the crew made the call: not west to Orlando, but east, back to London. Why circle for two hours first? The delay before turning back is the interesting part. A widebody like the A350-1000 takes off heavy with fuel for a nine-hour ocean crossing — far heavier than its maximum permitted landing weight. Rather than slam back onto the runway overweight, crews will typically burn the fuel down first, holding in a safe block of airspace until the aircraft is light enough to land within limits. That is the most likely reason VS135 spent two hours going in circles before committing to the return. According to an exclusive report by the aviation site AIRLIVE, the aircraft was dealing with a navigation system fault. Over the open ocean, where there are no ground-based navigation beacons and the crew relies on the jet’s own systems to know precisely where it is, a navigation fault is not something you carry across 4,000 miles of water. Turning back was the conservative, correct call. “Flight VS135 from London Heathrow to Orlando on Monday 13th July returned to London Heathrow due to a minor technical issue and was subsequently cancelled.” For all the online attention, this was not an emergency. No mayday, no evacuation, no drama in the cabin beyond boredom and disappointment. The A350-1000 is one of the most modern and reliable long-haul aircraft flying, and a precautionary return over a technical niggle is exactly the sort of unglamorous decision that keeps aviation as safe as it is. Virgin Atlantic rebooked the affected passengers, and VS135 was cancelled for the day. Somewhere in Orlando, a lot of very patient British families had to wait one more night for the sunshine. https://migflug.com/jetflights/virgin-atlantic-vs135-a350-orlando-turnback-heathrow-2026/ New 3D security scanners at Juneau’s airport lets travelers leave laptops in carry-on luggage Computed tomography (CT) X-ray machines create rotatable images that TSA officers can examine without disrupting people’s belongings Laptops and tiny shampoo bottles can now remain in carry-on bags at the airport security checkpoint. But bringing a bottle of water through is still out. The two screening lanes at Juneau International Airport now have computed tomography (CT) X-ray machines that provide security officers with a manipulable 3D image scan of belongings passengers load onto the plastic totes that are pushed through. More than 1,150 CT scanners have been installed at nearly 300 U.S. airports as of this month, including Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Eric Guthier, a TSA spokesperson, said during a visit to Juneau on Monday the machines at JIA were installed in April. Guthier said the X-ray device in the CT scanners is similar to equipment used in hospitals. "The camera spins very, very fast, takes lots of pictures, and then when the officer is reviewing the bag for prohibited items they can actually rotate the image to see what's underneath something," he said. "So with the older-style machines if somebody looks and says, ‘Hey, I think there might be something there, but I can't quite tell. We're going to have to open the bag and look.’ With this, you can rotate the image and look." That means people can typically leave items such as laptops computers and travel-size containers with liquids in their carry-on baggage, rather than taking them out and placing them into separate bins that pass through the machine, Guthier said. The bins themselves are also new and intended to be large enough for people to put all of their belongings into it, simplying the identifiction process for screeners and the recollection of items for travelers. A TSA press release issued Monday about the new machines at Juneau’s airport notes they "have a slightly smaller entry tunnel, and not all larger carry-on bags will fit into the units. TSA recommends that large carry-on items be checked with the airline." "TSA officials also encourage travelers to get to the airport early and save time by placing items from pockets such as keys, cell phones, loose change, etc. into their carry-on bags instead of into bins to help ensure there are no items left behind in bins," the release notes. "Doing so also helps to speed the screening process." Amanda O’Dell, a transportation security officer at the airport for the past two years, said Monday the scanned 3D images she sees are the biggest difference she’s noticed with the new machines. "You actually see everything in more detail versus you're just looking at blobs that have to get pulled to get checked," she said. O’Dell said there’s no clear difference in the speed at which a crowd of travelers make it through screening, since reviewing the 3D images can take longer than the previous machines. But people are definitely noticing the lack of need to remove items from bags. https://www.juneauindependent.com/post/new-3d-security-scanners-at-juneau-s-airport-lets-travelers-leave-laptops-in-carry-on-luggage China's ICBC seeks return of four 737 MAX jets leased to SpiceJet, documents show NEW DELHI, July 13 (Reuters) - Two Irish entities owned by the leasing arm of Industrial and ‌Commercial Bank of China have asked India's aviation regulator to deregister four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft leased to SpiceJet (SPJT.BO), opens new tab, regulatory documents showed, a step towards repossessing the jets. The notices, made public by the regulator on Monday, represent a test of a law passed by India last year that was intended to make it easier for lessors to repossess aircraft. The applications from Sky High LXXX Leasing ⁠Company Ltd and Sky High LXXVIII Leasing Company Ltd did not state why they were seeking deregistration. Corporate records showed the two companies are owned by ICBC Financial Leasing, whose parent is state-owned ICBC (601398.SS), opens new tab, the world's largest lender by assets. ICBC Financial Leasing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. SpiceJet, India's fourth-largest airline, has slashed its flight schedule, grounded planes, delayed salaries to many of its pilots and sought financing under a government-backed credit scheme to help stabilise its operations. The airline has received 1.5 billion rupees ($15.60 million) from the government scheme and hopes to receive another 3.5 billion rupees in the coming days, ‌a ⁠source with direct knowledge of the matter said. SpiceJet did not respond to a request for comment about the funding. At least two aircraft lessors have served payment default notices to the airline this year, Reuters also reported. In a statement, SpiceJet said the four aircraft that ICBC was seeking to deregister had been grounded for a prolonged period ⁠because of manufacturing issues related to the high-pressure turbines in their engines. "The de-registration of these aircraft will eliminate lease rental costs on assets that have remained non-operational for a prolonged period," a SpiceJet spokesperson said, adding that there ⁠would be no impact on the airline's operations. Just 11 of SpiceJet's fleet of 53 aircraft were listed as in service by aircraft-tracking website Planespotters.net. Shares in SpiceJet have fallen nearly 63% since the start of ⁠the year, while shares in InterGlobe Aviation (INGL.NS), opens new tab, the owner of India's biggest airline, IndiGo, are up nearly 1% over the same period. ($1 = 96.1475 Indian rupees) https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/chinas-icbc-seeks-return-four-737-max-jets-leased-spicejet-documents-show-2026-07-14/ Embraer launches Phenom 300EV jet, deliveries due in 2028 SAO PAULO, July 14 (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker ‌Embraer (EMBJ3.SA), opens new tab said on Tuesday it had launched ⁠the Phenom 300EV, the newest version of its light business jet, ‌featuring ⁠safety and performance upgrades. Deliveries are expected ⁠to begin in 2028, ⁠it added. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/embraer-launches-phenom-300ev-jet-deliveries-due-2028-2026-07-14/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS : 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. . Airlines 2026 conference - November 11, 2026 (London) . 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