Flight Safety Information - September 22, 2026 No. 186 In This Issue : Incident: France A359 near Brest on Sep 19th 2026, unusual odour in cockpit : Accident: Allegiant A320 at Greenville on Sep 5th 2026, runway excursion and tail strike : Incident: United B763 over Atlantic on Sep 21st 2026, engine trouble : Incident: Flysafair B738 at George on Sep 19th 2026, flaps problem : Accident: Delta A21N at Kahului on Sep 19th 2026, fuel fumes on board : The FAA Warns Against a Costly Holiday Threat to Pilots : 2 pilots involved in fatal California helicopter crash : Man accused of shooting firefighting aircraft in northern Minnesota is federally indicted : The American Airlines Laptop Fire Could Spark Changes In Airplane Safety And Insurance : Bombardier’s 30th Safety Standdown Opens Registration : Autonomous Plane Becomes the First to Fly Coast to Coast on Its Own : Air Force: Pilot Shortage Could Last 20 Years : Calendar of Events Incident: France A359 near Brest on Sep 19th 2026, unusual odour in cockpit An Air France Airbus A350-900, registration F-HTYB performing flight AF-436 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Bogota (Colombia), was enroute at FL370 about 80nm south of Brest (France) when the crew decided to divert to Brest due to an unusual odour in the cockpit. The airline reported an unusual odour in the cockpit prompted the diversion to Brest. The passengers were returned to Paris and travelled to Bogota the following day. A replacement A350-900 registration F-HTYM reached Bogota with a delay of about 21 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Brest for about 26 hours, then positioned back to Paris Charles de Gaulle and returned to service after about 18 hours on the ground in Paris. https://avherald.com/h?article=54174bcc&opt=0 Accident: Allegiant A320 at Greenville on Sep 5th 2026, runway excursion and tail strike An Allegiant Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration N295NV performing flight G4-4413 from Tuscaloosa,AL to Greenville,NC (USA), was landing on Greenville's runway 20 at 20:18L (00:18Z Sep 6th) but veered left off the runway onto grass, the crew decided to go around. During rotation for the go around the tail contacted the ground. The aircraft climbed out to safety, levelled off at 10,000 feet and diverted to Greensboro,NC (USA) for a landing on runway 05R without further incident about 35 minutes after the go around. The FAA reported: "WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND RUNWAY 20 AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AFTER TOUCHDOWN FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. ACFT EXECUTED GO-AROUND WHILE ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY IN THE GRASS AND SUFFERED A TAIL STRIKE IN THE PROCCESS. AIRCRAFT THEN DIVERTED TO GSO AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT." The aircraft sustained unknown damage. ADS-B data show, the aircraft veered to the left of the runway (which, on the map oriented to the north is right of the runway). The aircraft remained on the ground in Greensboro for about one hour, then flew to Greenville for a safe landing and remained in Greenville until Sep 18th 2026, then positioned to Lake City,FL (USA) and is still on the ground in Lake City on Sep 21st 2026. https://avherald.com/h?article=54165456&opt=0 Incident: United B763 over Atlantic on Sep 21st 2026, engine trouble A United Boeing 767-300, registration N674UA performing flight UA-938 (dep Sep 20th) from Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 173 people on board, was enroute at FL370 about 280nm west of Shannon (Ireland) when the crew decided to divert to Shannon due to problems with the left hand engine (PW4060). The crew subsequently declared Mayday and continued for a safe landing on Shannon's runway 24 about 45 minutes later. The aircraft is still on the ground in Shannon about 5.5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5416475c&opt=0 Incident: Flysafair B738 at George on Sep 19th 2026, flaps problem A Flysafair Boeing 737-800, registration ZS-FGD performing flight FA-222 from Johannesburg to George (South Africa), was on final approach to George's runway 11 descending through 1200 feet MSL when the crew initiated a go around due to a flaps problem. The aircraft climbed to 6000 feet and entered a hold while the crew was working the relateed checklists. The aircraft subsequently positioned for another approach to runway 11 and landed safely about 30 minutes after the go around. The aircraft returned to service about 8:15 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=54162d0c&opt=0 Accident: Delta A21N at Kahului on Sep 19th 2026, fuel fumes on board A Delta Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration N530DE performing flight DL-394 from Kahului,HI to Seattle,WA (USA), was climbing out of Kahului's runway 02 when the crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet reporting fuel fumes on board, both flight crew were on oxygen. The aircraft entered a hold, then the crew decided to divert to Honolulu,HI (USA) maintaining 5000 feet. The cabin was depressurized according to the fumes/smoke removal checklist, the smell was still around, they wanted to be checkout by emergency service to ensure nothing was leaking. After landing on Honolulu's runway 08R the crew reported on departure from Kahului the fumes were pretty significant, eyes were burning, but it has dissipated in the meantime though the fumes are still faintly noticable, both engines are still running. It was becoming hot in the cabin though, the engines were shut down and the doors were opened for ventilation, they still wanted to use stairs and not the slides for disembarkation. One flight attendant was taken to the hospital. The airline reported fumes were observed after departure from Maui. A replacement A321-200N registration N509DT reached Seattle with a delay of about 11.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Honolulu about 31 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=541628f4&opt=0 The FAA Warns Against a Costly Holiday Threat to Pilots The number of reported laser strikes on aircraft has decreased by 24% in 2026, marking the third consecutive year of decline. A recurring aviation safety hazard is declining for the third consecutive year, but federal officials say the number of incidents remains high. Pilots continue to report cases in which concentrated beams of light are directed toward aircraft, creating a potential hazard during flight. For airline passengers, the issue matters because a laser aimed at an aircraft can distract or temporarily blind a pilot while the plane is airborne. The Federal Aviation Administration says pilots reported 4,470 laser strikes in 2026 through the latest reporting period, a 24% decrease from the same point last year. FAA Records 24% Drop to 4,470 Aircraft Laser Strikes in 2026 The FAA said September 17 that reported laser strikes have fallen for three consecutive years. The agency recorded an all-time high of 13,304 strikes in 2023 and has since worked with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on outreach and training intended to reduce the incidents. From January through July 2026, the states with the most reported laser strikes were: California: 614 Texas: 445 Florida: 232 Illinois: 224 Tennessee: 202 Washington: 199 Arizona: 178 Colorado: 166 Virginia: 136 Georgia: 133 The figures cover reports made by pilots to the FAA. Holiday Light Displays Risk $11,000 Federal Violation Fines The FAA is also warning the public ahead of the holiday season about laser-light displays aimed into the sky. The agency says concentrated laser beams can travel much farther than people may realize and can distract or temporarily blind pilots. The FAA's official X account summarized the warning: "One laser strike is one too many!" The agency says pilots have reported 322 injuries from laser strikes since tracking began in 2010. For passengers, the concern is that a brief loss of a pilot's ability to see properly can create a safety risk for everyone aboard the aircraft. Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. The FAA says people can face fines of up to $11,000 per violation, while federal criminal penalties can include up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. State and local penalties may also apply. Visualization Tool Tracks 322 Pilot Injuries Since 2010 The FAA is encouraging people who witness laser strikes to report them to the agency and local law enforcement. The reports help officials identify patterns involving location and time of day. The agency's laser-strike visualization tool also provides data going back to 2010, allowing users to examine trends by geographic area, time and year. While the latest figures show a continued decline, the FAA is urging the public to avoid directing lasers into the sky and to report strikes when they occur. Holiday displays are among the specific activities the agency is warning about as the season approaches. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/faa-warns-against-costly-holiday-210309179.html 2 pilots involved in fatal California helicopter crash Two pilots have died following a crash on Sunday while fighting the Dome Fire in Yosemite, California, officials said. Greg King, an Alaska-based pilot for Precision Helicopters, is identified as one of the victims. There were two people on board the aircraft ( Aerospatiale AS332L1 Super Puma) when it went down; the name of the second victim was not immediately released, pending family notifications. “It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” the company said on social media. “We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words. We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss.” The incident occurred at around 2:55 p.m. local time on Sept. 20, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating, with the NTSB as lead. “King was a cherished member of our wildland fire family,” said the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. “This is a devastating loss for our agency and the entire wildland firefighting community. Greg was a dedicated aviator and a dear friend to many of us. We are mourning both pilots who bravely supported firefighting efforts, and our hearts go out to their families. We are standing alongside our staff and Greg’s loved ones as we grieve this profound tragedy together.” https://verticalmag.com/news/2-pilots-involved-in-fatal-california-helicopter-crash/ Man accused of shooting firefighting aircraft in northern Minnesota is federally indicted The pilot discovered his aircraft had sustained damage after landing in Hibbing on May 15. A man accused of shooting an aircraft in northern Minnesota as the pilot responded to a wildfire in May now faces federal charges, the Department of Justice announced. Daniel Christian Pettit, 48, of Portage Township, was indicted by a grand jury for one count of damaging an aircraft and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with the May 15 incident. According to the DOJ, the indictment alleges Pettit “knowingly and willfully damaged and disabled” the aircraft and then claimed he was crow hunting. After his arrest on state charges, he allegedly admitted to firing a 12-gauge shotgun and .308-caliber rifle. The pilot discovered damage after he landed. He told authorities he’d heard a “pop” sound once he’d descended to scoop up water from Kjostad Lake. State criminal charges allege Pettit allegedly told authorities he believed it was against FAA regulations for the pilot to fly below 500 feet of a home and that the plane had flown right above his roof. He allegedly said: “If I accidentally hit him crow hunting, too bad. He endangered my life. I decided to go outside and crow hunt. Did I aim and try and shoot the plane? Nope, no I didn’t.” Pettit’s initial appearance in federal court was scheduled for Monday. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/man-accused-of-shooting-firefighting-aircraft-in-northern-minnesota-is-federally-indicted The American Airlines Laptop Fire Could Spark Changes In Airplane Safety And Insurance On August 21, 2026, an American Airlines Airbus A321-200 carrying 133 people was on approach to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the pilots advised air traffic control that a fire had broken out in the airplane's cabin and requested a priority landing. As soon as Flight 2398 landed, the runway was closed and medical response was dispatched to the aircraft. It soon became apparent that a laptop fire had broken out and that multiple passengers had received burns while handling the device. This was the second such incident for American Airlines in 2026. Earlier in the year, American Airlines Flight 2045 was in the process of boarding when a laptop fire erupted, prompting a complete evacuation of the aircraft via emergency slides. Lithium-ion batteries inside laptops are to blame for the fires, and if current trends continue, could drive up insurance costs, result in device bans, or force safety standard changes. Lithium-ion battery fires have become a regular occurrence on airlines throughout the world and in the U.S., eventually prompting the TSA to introduce battery restrictions for carry-on luggage. Power banks, battery packs, e-cigarettes, and mobile phones have all been the cause of fires on airplanes, and have already prompted industry-wide changes to crew training and fire mitigation procedures. Lithium-ion battery fire is an ever-present risk that airlines have to deal with, and it could soon start driving airline insurance costs up. Airlines are now not only required to declare such incidents to insurers, but also have to demonstrate that their crews are sufficiently trained and equipped to deal with battery fires. Insurance costs already place a significant amount of pressure on airlines' bottom line, and further increases because of this issue can erode profits for airlines already struggling to stay aloft in a highly competitive market. How lithium-ion battery fires start Lithium-ion battery fires inside devices occur when a process called thermal runaway begins, which can be caused by overuse, aging, or physical damage. This is why power banks keep catching fire on airplanes. Aging batteries could start to swell because of an ongoing chemical reaction that fails to complete as the battery ages, with an imperfect reaction sometimes generating gases that could expand and cause the battery to swell and heat up. Because most lithium-ion batteries inside consumer electronics are designed in a roll style, layers of metal and chemicals are separated by plastic, which, if damaged or degraded, can cause chemical reactions that lead to heating. This can eventually lead to thermal runaway, which is a chain reaction of heat and fire that is caused by the ongoing damage sustained to the battery by the fire itself, leading to more heating. Gases that emanate from these reactions are usually made up of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which, in an enclosed environment like on an airplane, can cause serious health-related issues. Passengers are not allowed to pack certain electronics in their carry-on luggage as a result, and even though the restrictions are sometimes an inconvenience, they allow passengers and cabin crew to spot and deal with thermal runaway fires inside hand luggage quickly, before they get out of hand. Because these incidents have been happening so often, airlines have started equipping cabin crew with fire containment bags, where a burning device can be sealed and contained to mitigate damage to aircraft or injuries to passengers. Interestingly, the Federal Aviation Administration doesn't have containment bag testing standards or certification, partially due to concerns with the idea of moving a burning device into a containment bag, which can also cause injury. What lithium-ion battery fires cost airlines Mario Hagen/Shutterstock Aside from the fact that thermal runaways inside lithium-ion batteries can cause insurance rates to spike, there are other direct costs that airlines have to absorb when these events occur. While the Dallas American Airlines example happened while the airplane was already on approach to its destination airport, other battery fire incidents have forced outright diversions in the past. Depending on the size of the airplane and how passengers need to be supported if they end up stranded at an alternate destination, a diversion can cost an airline anywhere between $10,000 and $200,000. If a thermal runaway incident occurs on the ground, crews are likely to initiate an emergency aircraft evacuation procedure, which involves deploying emergency escape slides. Repacking emergency slides after such a deployment can also cost up to $200,000. Given that 93 reported battery smoke or fire incidents occurred in the U.S. in 2025, airlines could have paid up to $18 million in 2025 alone. https://www.bgr.com/2261128/american-airlines-laptop-fire-changing-airplane-safety/ Bombardier’s 30th Safety Standdown Opens Registration Free three-day seminar open to all aviation professionals Registration is open for Bombardier’s 30th annual Safety Standdown seminar, a free, three-day event in Wichita this November. Bombardier’s annual Safety Standdown—the 30th edition and themed “Evolution Fueled by Legacy”—returns to Wichita November 10 to 12, drawing flight crews, maintenance technicians, and dispatchers from across the industry. The free, three-day event is open to all aviation professionals and will run both in person and online; registration for the 30th Safety Standdown is now open. Keynote speaker Tony Kern, CEO of Convergent Performance, will trace a line from combat aviator John Boyd’s decision-making instincts to modern algorithmic approaches to risk. Other sessions include Ivan Pupulidy of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, presenting “Risk: The Untold Story;” Jermaine Cadogan, a Marine Corps major who retired after more than 20 years of service, with “Building a Culture of Excellence & Proactive Compliance;” and Tim Wade—Flexjet’s corporate director of environmental, health, and safety—presenting “What You Lead, You Leave,” on sharing a safety legacy. The inaugural event began 30 years ago with a group of Wichita-based Learjet demonstration pilots who wanted their team to become the industry’s safest. Since then, the aviation safety program has drawn more than 10,000 industry professionals—flight crews, maintenance technicians, dispatchers, and schedulers across corporate, commercial, and military sectors—to live seminars and webcasts. Bombardier works with an advisory council and event sponsors to keep the seminar free. Notably, the event has never charged attendees or been restricted solely to Bombardier operators. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-09-21/bombardiers-30th-safety-standdown-opens-registration Autonomous Plane Becomes the First to Fly Coast to Coast on Its Own The aircraft flew a distance of 3,199 miles (5,148 km) without needing control inputs from an onboard safety pilot. Joby Aviation’s J208 aircraft navigating high-altitude mountain terrain across the American West during its transcontinental journey. Joby Aviation became the first to pull off a fully autonomous flight across the United States using a single-engine turboprop aircraft. A converted Cessna Caravan, equipped with Joby’s J208 autonomous flight technology, flew a total of 3,199 miles (5,148 kilometers) from California to North Carolina. Its week-long transcontinental journey included a few stops along the way to demonstrate the aircraft’s capability at navigating high-density aviation traffic. Although there was a safety pilot onboard the aircraft for precaution—as per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations—they did not need to intervene at any point during the flight, according to Joby Aviation. Buckle up The cross-country trip started from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California, on September 7. There were a few planned stops along the route, including Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Arizona; Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Texas; and Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The aircraft performed every phase of flight autonomously, from takeoff to cruise, route navigation, and landing—and with no control inputs from its safety pilot. Joby Aviation also conducted remote supervision from its headquarters in California and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The aircraft reached its final destination of Dare County Regional Airport in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, on September 14, but its journey isn’t over yet. The Cessna now has to perform a return flight to California, with additional stops at airports in Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah, and Oregon. Look ma, no hands Aside from the recent cross-country flight, Joby is best known for its all-electric air taxis. The piloted aircraft is designed to travel up to 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour), carrying up to four passengers on short, high-value routes. Joby’s autonomous flight system, on the other hand, marks the company’s expansion beyond flying cars designed for short commutes. As the company points out, its autonomous technology can be applied in commercial freight, medical transport, disaster response, and defense logistics. “This journey across America offers a glimpse into a new era of aviation,” JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said in a statement. “Autonomy has an important role to play in the future of flight, allowing us to connect remote communities, deliver critical supplies, respond faster to disasters, support military operations, and keep pilots out of harm’s way.” Last month, Joby acquired Ohio-based Resonant Sciences, a research and development firm that makes radio frequency and sensor systems, TechCrunch reported. The firm will become a part of Joby’s new defense division, which includes the company’s autonomy technology stack. In August 2025, the company also signed an agreement with defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to explore opportunities for developing a gas-turbine hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft that can fly autonomously. https://gizmodo.com/autonomous-plane-becomes-the-first-to-fly-coast-to-coast-on-its-own-2000814879 Air Force: Pilot Shortage Could Last 20 Years The service expects to train 1,500 pilots this year, but shortages in experienced positions will take considerably longer to address. The U.S. Air Force says its pilot shortage could take as long as 15 to 20 years to fully address, even as the service reaches its longstanding goal of producing 1,500 pilots annually. Air Education and Training Command says the Air Force currently has a shortfall of nearly 2,407 pilots. According to Breaking Defense, much of the current shortage involves staff positions that require pilots who are already well into their careers. Retention rates and economic conditions also make it difficult to determine exactly how quickly the deficit can be reduced. Experienced Pilots Take Time “I can’t erase that pilot deficit in a short period of time,” Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn, commander of Air Education and Training Command, told Breaking Defense. “It’s going to take 15 or 20 years to get those types of people. I can make them today, but those jobs won’t be filled for quite some time. I do know that if we don’t make 1,500, we’re never going to get that number down.” The Air Force recently announced that it is on track to graduate 1,500 pilots this fiscal year under its Future of Undergraduate Pilot Training program (FUPT). The revised system sends students to FAA Part 141 civilian flight schools for initial training before they transition to military instruction in the T-6A Texan II. Students enter the military portion with about 120 flight hours under the new model, compared with roughly 30 hours under the previous system. Training Pipeline Expands “Reaching 1,500 pilots is a milestone, but it is not the finish line,” Quinn said in an Air Force release last week. “FUPT was built to overcome long-standing constraints including instructor shortages and aircraft availability to deliver the aviators our combatant commanders require.” https://avweb.com/aviation-news/air-force-pilot-shortage-could-last-20-yrs/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 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 . ISASI - BOSTON 2026 - September 28, 2026 – October 2, 2026 . Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt- 29-30SEP2026 - Frankfurt, Germany . Defence Aviation Safety Conference 2026 — October 5–6, 2026, United Kingdom. . European Aviation Training Summit 3 – 5 November 2026 • Estoril Congress Centre, Cascais, Portugal . 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 . Gulf Flight Safety Association (GFSA)conference Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 28th and 29th of October 2026 . Bombardier Safety Standdown (November 10–12, 2026 in Wichita, KS) . Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation17 to 19 November 2026, Woburn MA . 2027 ACSF Safety Symposium - April 6-8, 2027 - ERAU Daytona Beach, FL Curt Lewis