Flight Safety Information - September 08, 2025 No. 179 In This Issue : Accident: Westjet B738 at Sint Maarten on Sep 7th 2025, main gear collapse on landing : Incident: ASL Belgium B734 at Helsinki on Sep 6th 2025, flight control problem : Incident: Lufthansa A320 near Nuremberg on Sep 4th 2025, smoke in cockpit : Incident: Wizz Malta A21N at Warsaw on Sep 5th 2025, flaps problems : Incident: JAL A359 near Sapporo on Sep 4th 2025, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Commute E145 at Houston on Sep 3rd 2025, smoke in cockpit, lost electrics : Incident: India Express B38M at Indore on Sep 5th 2025, engine problem : United Airlines Flight Grounded After Pilot Spilled Coffee in Cockpit: Report : Report: Medical transport plane 'banked erratically' before catching fire in fatal crash : American Airlines Pilots Operating 20 Empty A321neo Transatlantic Flights : Calendar of Event Accident: Westjet B738 at Sint Maarten on Sep 7th 2025, main gear collapse on landing A Westjet Boeing 737-800, registration C-GWSR performing flight WS-2276 from Toronto,ON (Canada) to Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten), landed on Sint Maarten's runway 10 at 13:28L (17:28Z) when the right main gear collapsed. The crew managed to keep the aircraft on the runway and brought it to a standstill on the runway on nose gear, left main gear and right engine case. The aircraft was evacuated via slides. There are no injuries being reported. The return flight WS-2277 was cancelled. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ca435b&opt=0 Incident: ASL Belgium B734 at Helsinki on Sep 6th 2025, flight control problem An ASL Airlines Belgium Boeing 737-400 freighter, registration OE-IBO performing flight 3V-279P from Helsinki (Finland) to Shannon (Ireland), was climbing out of Helsinki's runway 04R when the crew reported a flight control problem and stopped the climb at FL100. The aircraft returned to Helsinki for an approach to runway 04L and was on final approach when the crew requested to hold for about 10 minutes, climbed back to 5000 feet and entered a hold. The aircraft subsequently positioned for another approach to runway 04L and landed without further incident about 40 minutes after departure. The aircraft departed again after about 3.5 hours on the ground and reached Shannon with a delay of about 4.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=52ca10b8&opt=0 Incident: Lufthansa A320 near Nuremberg on Sep 4th 2025, smoke in cockpit A Lufthansa Airbus A320-200, registration D-AIUK performing flight LH-2141 from Munster to Munich (Germany), was descending through FL170 towards Munich, about 40nm northwest of Munich and about 50nm southsouthwest of Nuremberg, when the crew decided to divert to Nuremberg (Germany) along with other aircraft, which diverted from Munich due to weather (thunderstorms arriving over the field). Subsequently the crew reported smoke in the cockpit and continued for a safe landing on Nuremberg's runway 28 about 20 minutes after the decision to divert. According to satellite images a thunderstorm system was moving northnortheast first affecting Munich and later Nuremberg. The aircraft remained on the ground in Nuremberg for about 20 hours, then positioned to Munich and remained on the ground in Munich for another 11 hours before returning to service. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c97e07&opt=0 Incident: Wizz Malta A21N at Warsaw on Sep 5th 2025, flaps problems A Wizz Air Malta Airbus A321-200N, registration 9H-WNI performing flight W4-1454 from Catania (Italy) to Warsaw (Poland), was on final approach to Warsaw's runway 33 when the crew went around due to a problem with the flaps. The aircraft entered a hold, positioned for another approach to runway 33 and landed safely on runway 33 at a higher than normal speed about 30 minutes after aborting the first approach. A replacement Wizz Air Airbus A321-200N registration HA-LZY performed the return flight but landed in Palermo (Italy) rather than Catania with a delay of about 4:45 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Warsaw about 20 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c95f5e&opt=0 Incident: JAL A359 near Sapporo on Sep 4th 2025, engine shut down in flight A JAL Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900, registration JA07XJ performing flight JL-500 from Sapporo Chitose to Tokyo Haneda (Japan) with 285 people on board, was enroute at FL320 about 150nm south of Sapporo when the crew decided to return to Sapporo. After maintaining FL320 for about 5 more minutes the crew began to descent towards Sapporo, shut the left hand engine (Trent XWB) down and landed safely on Sapporo's runway 01R about 55 minutes after departure. Fluid was observed leaking from the left hand engine, the runway was closed for about 40 minutes as result. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported the crew declared emergency reporting trouble with their left hand engine. The aircraft landed back with only the right hand engine operating. The airport reported the runway was closed for about 40 minutes. The flight was cancelled. The aircraft returned to service about 24 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c8cd52&opt=0 Incident: Commute E145 at Houston on Sep 3rd 2025, smoke in cockpit, lost electrics A CommuteAir Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N11164 performing flight UA-4969 from Houston Intercontinental,TX to Panama City,FL (USA), was climbing out of Houston's runway 15L when the crew stopped the climb at 4000 feet reporting smoke in the cockpit. The transponder signal ceased shortly after. Emergency services were told, the aircraft would land without being able to talk to tower/emergency services due to losing their electrical systems. The aircraft returned to Houston Intercontinental for a safe landing on runway 27 about 20 minutes after departure. The FAA reported: "CommuteAir Flight 4969 safely returned to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport around 2:15 p.m. local time Wednesday, Sept. 3, after the crew reported smoke in the cockpit. The Embraer E145 was travelling to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The FAA will investigate." The airline reported a potential maintenance issue caused the return. The aircraft is still on the ground in Houston about 45 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c8ca8a&opt=0 Incident: India Express B38M at Indore on Sep 5th 2025, engine problem An Air India Express Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration VT-BXX performing flight IX-1028 from Delhi to Indore (India) with 161 people on board, was descending towards Indore when the crew declared PAN PAN and entered a hold reporting an engine (Leap) problem. The aircraft landed safely on Indore's runway 25 about 15 minutes later. The airline reported an engine oil filter issue. https://avherald.com/h?article=52c8b634&opt=0 United Airlines Flight Grounded After Pilot Spilled Coffee in Cockpit: Report A United Airlines flight from Chicago O'Hare to San Juan was forced back to the gate after the pilot reportedly spilled coffee in the cockpit. The incident occurred while the plane was taxiing and caused a three-hour delay. The plane was able to takeoff without incidents following the extended delay. However, the following flight from San Juan back to Chicago was also delayed due to the spill. According to View From the Wing, "Spilling much more than a little bit in the cockpit would certainly have cancelled the flight. Not only does the spill need to be cleaned, but whatever was spilled on needs to be inspected as well." The sterile cockpit rule, which prohibits pilots and flight crews from performing any "non-essential duties or activities while the aircraft is involved in taxi, takeoff, landing, and all other flight operations conducted below," reportedly does not include drinking liquids. A minor delay was a welcomed outcome to the accidental spillage compared to a similar event in 2019. A flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Cancun, Mexico, made an emergency landing at Ireland's Shannon Airport after the cockpit filled with smoke following a spill. Five crewmembers were taken to the hospital for treatment. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-airlines-flight-grounded-pilot-230544485.html Report: Medical transport plane 'banked erratically' before catching fire in fatal crash A new report details what happened moments before a medical transport plane crashed and caught on fire while landing at an airport in the Navajo Nation last month. Four people — Amanda Benson, a commercial pilot; Kameilia Chavez, a flight nurse; Nicholas Mancuso, a flight paramedic; and Jeffrey Tuning, a commercial pilot — were killed in the wreck. The Beechcraft King Air B300 plane departed from Albuquerque International Sunport Airport in New Mexico at 11:55 a.m. on Aug. 5, according to the preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board. It climbed to about 18,000 feet before proceeding toward Chinle Municipal Airport. Investigators said the small, dual-propeller plane began descending at around 12:30 p.m. Its last radar transmission put it about 2.8 miles southeast of the airport at an elevation of roughly 6,100 feet. A witness told investigators that he saw the plane heading over the airport's runway while flying about 180 feet above the ground. The plane's left wing "banked erratically several times," according to the report. It then leveled off, pitching the plane upward. The witness told investigators that the same wing then dropped "into a knife-edge attitude," sending the plane plunging to the ground. It "immediately erupted into flames," according to the report. The document does not explain why the plane was moving so erratically. Investigators said the plane was found about 990 feet west of the airport runway. The crash site featured a "path of disturbed terrain and vegetation" that extended nearly 300 feet from the wreckage. Multiple aircraft components were found in the vicinity, and the fire damaged the plane's fuselage and wings, according to the report. News alerts in your inbox: Don't miss the important news of the day. Sign up for azcentral newsletter alerts to be in the know. Investigators said they are examining a cockpit voice recorder recovered from the aircraft, as well as the wreckage of the plane. The investigation remains ongoing. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/report-medical-transport-plane-banked-233008077.html American Airlines Pilots Operating 20 Empty A321neo Transatlantic Flights The timing of these flights aligns with American’s plan to launch an international pilot base for the Airbus A321XLR at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). EDINBURGH- American Airlines (AA) is operating 20 round-trip flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Edinburgh (EDI) this month without passengers or cargo. The unusual move involves an Airbus A321neo flying daily across the Atlantic purely for training purposes. These flights, scheduled from September 4 to September 24, 2025, are designed to prepare check airmen ahead of the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR into the airline’s international network. The investment reflects American’s (AA) focus on ensuring its pilots are certified for transatlantic operations. American Airlines (AA) is operating 20 round-trip flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Edinburgh (EDI) this month without passengers or cargo. American Airlines A321neo Pilots American typically flies a Boeing 787 on its seasonal Philadelphia (PHL)–Edinburgh (EDI) route, but for this training exercise, the airline has scheduled an Airbus A321neo with no paying passengers, JonNYC reported. The aircraft, a brand-new A321neo registered as N471AN, is operating the following daily schedule: AA9805 Philadelphia (PHL) – Edinburgh (EDI): Departs 8:40 PM, arrives 8:30 AM (+1 day) AA9806 Edinburgh (EDI) – Philadelphia (PHL): Departs 9:30 AM, arrives 12:00 PM The reason is tied to the Airbus A321XLR, a longer-range version of the A321neo. American Airlines (AA) will use the A321XLR for transatlantic flights in the coming years. Since these flights involve international airspace, North Atlantic Tracks, and additional regulatory requirements, pilots must undergo specific training, OMAAT flagged. Role of Check Airmen in Pilot Certification Check airmen are senior pilots certified to train and evaluate other pilots. To prepare for the A321XLR’s entry into service, American needs these check airmen qualified on transatlantic operations in Airbus narrow-body aircraft. Once certified, they can train other pilots, creating a multiplier effect that ensures the airline has enough qualified crew for upcoming routes. Typically, this training would occur during normal scheduled flights. However, since American has no current Airbus narrow-body transatlantic service, the airline must operate dedicated flights. The Philadelphia–Edinburgh sector was selected because it is one of the shortest viable transatlantic routes, with manageable air traffic and airport operations. Cost and Scale of the Training Flights Operating 20 round-trip flights with no revenue passengers or cargo is a significant investment. Across 40 transatlantic sectors, the A321neo will cover roughly 134,000 miles. Factoring in fuel, depreciation, and crew costs, the expense will likely exceed a million dollars. Despite the cost, the flights highlight the complexity of running a global airline. Classroom sessions and simulators cannot fully replicate real-world transatlantic flying, especially when it comes to managing oceanic clearances, interacting with multiple air traffic control authorities, and navigating the procedural requirements of international operations. Preparing for A321XLR Service at New York JFK The timing of these flights aligns with American’s plan to launch an international pilot base for the Airbus A321XLR at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Once operational, the base will support new transatlantic routes flown with the aircraft, offering greater efficiency on medium-sized markets where a widebody jet is not required. By training check airmen now, American ensures a smooth entry into service for the A321XLR, reducing the risk of delays when the aircraft begins regular passenger operations. Bottom Line American Airlines (AA) is conducting 20 empty round-trip flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Edinburgh (EDI) with an Airbus A321neo. These flights are solely for check airman training, a crucial step ahead of introducing the Airbus A321XLR to transatlantic routes. The exercise underscores the challenges of pilot certification, the high costs of airline operations, and the strategic importance of preparing crews for new aircraft types well before they enter service. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/09/07/american-airlines-pilots-operating-20-empty-a321neo-transatlantic-flights/#google_vignette CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines . 2025 PROS IOSA SUMMIT - SEPT 10-11 - Denver, CO · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis