Flight Safety Information - September 10, 2025 No. 181 In This Issue : Incident: Delta B752 over Canada on Sep 2nd 2025, loss of cabin pressure : Incident: Horizont B734 near Milan on Sep 8th 2025, cracked cabin window : Incident: Republic E170 at Washington on Sep 8th 2025, cleared to land on occupied runway : Incident: Republic E170 at Rochester on Sep 6th 2025, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Delta A359 at Amsterdam on Sep 8th 2025, pneumatic system problem : US transportation chief to meet with airline CEOs on air traffic reform, sources say : Republic Airways flight told to abort DC landing due to maintenance crew : ‘Antiquated’ mental health rules for pilots would be overhauled under House bill : FAA warns airlines of rising lithium battery fire risks in passenger cabins : Calendar of Event Incident: Delta B752 over Canada on Sep 2nd 2025, loss of cabin pressure A Delta Boeing 757-200, registration N821DX performing flight DL-179 from Kevlavik (Iceland) to Detroit,MI (USA) with 189 people on board, was enroute at FL360 about 110nm southwest of Goose Bay,NL (Canada) when the crew initiated an emergency descent to 10,000 feet due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft diverted to Montreal,QC (Canada) for a safe landing on runway 24L about 110 minutes after leaving FL360. The Canadian TSB reported the flight crew noticed the cockpit temperature was increasing and adjusted the left hand pack. Shortly after the right hand pack failed, 30 seconds later the left hand pack also failed. The crew donned their oxygen masks and initiated an emergency descent, descending through FL280 the cabin altitude rose through 14,000 feet, the passenger oxygen masks automatically deployed. During the diversion the right hand pack resumed operation, the left hand one remained failed. The aircraft returned to service on Sep 4th 2025. https://avherald.com/h?article=52cb8119&opt=0 Incident: Horizont B734 near Milan on Sep 8th 2025, cracked cabin window An Air Horizont Boeing 737-400, registration 9H-FOR performing flight HT-3633 from Djerba (Tunisia) to Milan Malpensa (Italy), was descending through FL200 towards Milan when the crew reported a cracked cabin window. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Malpensa's runway 35R about 20 minutes later. The aircraft is still on the ground in Milan about 26 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52cb7eee&opt=0 Incident: Republic E170 at Washington on Sep 8th 2025, cleared to land on occupied runway A Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-170 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N863RW performing flight AA-4528 from Detroit,MI to Washington National,DC (USA), was on a final visual approach to Washington's runway 01 cleared to land on the runway, when tower queried whether they could land on runway 33, the crew replied "yes, we can" and was subsequently cleared to land on runway. The aircraft was visually circling to runway 33 descending through about 350 feet AGL (corrected for local altimeter 30.29, ADS-B indication 0 feet MSL according to standard pressure) when tower instructed the aircraft to go around. The crew complied, the aircraft went around, positioned for another approach and landed on runway 01 without further incident about 11 minutes later. The FAA reported: "An air traffic controller instructed Republic Airways Flight 4528 to perform a go-around at Reagan Washington National Airport because maintenance crews were inspecting the runway. The FAA is investigating the event that occurred around 7:05 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 8." https://avherald.com/h?article=52cb759d&opt=0 Incident: Republic E170 at Rochester on Sep 6th 2025, engine shut down in flight A Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-170 on behalf of United, registration N639RW performing flight UA-3319 from Rochester,NY to Columbus,OH (USA), was climbing through about 15000 feet out of Rochester's runway 22 when the crew stopped the climb reporting the failure of their right hand engine (CF34). The aircraft returned to Rochester for a safe landing on runway 22 about 30 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled. The aircraft is still on the ground in Rochester about 67 hours (2 days 19 hours) after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52cb6dd8&opt=0 Incident: Delta A359 at Amsterdam on Sep 8th 2025, pneumatic system problem A DElta Airlines Airbus A350-900, registration N521DN performing flight DL-161 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Minneapolis,MN (USA), was climbing though FL340 out of Amsterdam when the crew descended the aircraft back to FL330 and decided to return to Amsterdam reporting a problem with their pneumatic system (PAD). The aircraft landed safely on Amsterdam's runway 18C about 70 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled. The airline reported the aircraft returned as a precaution due to a mechanical problem with the pneumatic system of the aircraft. The aircraft is still on the ground in Amsterdam 29 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52cb6baa&opt=0 US transportation chief to meet with airline CEOs on air traffic reform, sources say WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plans to meet with the CEOs of major airlines on Wednesday on the government's $12.5 billion plan to overhaul the nation's aging air traffic control system, sources told Reuters. Duffy will attend a meeting of Airlines for America, the trade group representing United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others. The trade group and USDOT declined to comment. Duffy is pushing Congress to add another $19 billion for air traffic control after a rush of high-profile mishaps, near-misses and a catastrophic crash in January between a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines jet that killed 67. Airlines have been pushing USDOT under President Donald Trump to take steps to roll back airline passenger consumer protections advanced during the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden. On Thursday, USDOT it would drop a plan to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation when U.S. flight disruptions are caused by carriers, in a setback for aviation consumer advocates and drawing outrage from Democratic lawmakers. Airlines in the U.S. must refund passengers for canceled flights, but are not required to compensate customers for delays. The European Union, Canada, Brazil and Britain all have airline delay compensation rules. In May, Airlines for America asked USDOT to adopt a broad swath of deregulatory actions, including to terminate a partnership with state attorneys general to fast-track investigations into complaints against airlines and to terminate "baseless and unfair investigations and enforcement practices against airlines." USDOT also said last week it is considering rescinding regulations issued under Biden in April 2024 that required airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside airfares to help consumers avoid unnecessary or unexpected fees. The requirement was put on hold by the court pending an industry legal challenge. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-transportation-chief-meet-airline-182944699.html Republic Airways flight told to abort DC landing due to maintenance crew A Republic Airways flight was told to abort a landing at Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday “because maintenance crews were inspecting the runway,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “An air traffic controller instructed Republic Airways Flight 4528 to perform a go-around at Reagan Washington National Airport because maintenance crews were inspecting the runway,” the FAA said in a Monday statement. “The FAA is investigating the event that occurred around 7:05 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 8,” the statement continued. A go-around ends “the landing approach and returns the aircraft to an altitude and configuration to safely make another approach,” the FAA has said previously. Earlier this year, a deadly crash between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight near National Airport rattled the nation and raised questions about aviation safety. Last month, Reagan National Airport stopped flights after an air traffic control fire alarm went off, then later resumed flights. In a previous statement obtained by The Hill’s sister network NewsNation, the FAA said the agency was “pausing flights heading to Reagan Washington National Airport due to a fire alarm in the air traffic control tower.” The FAA said in a later statement to NewsNation that it was “slowing flights into Reagan Washington National airport due to volume after inbound flights were paused because a fire alarm was activated in the air traffic control tower.” When reached for comment, a spokesperson with Republic Airways said that they did not “have any additional information to offer on this one.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/republic-airways-flight-told-abort-184355572.html ‘Antiquated’ mental health rules for pilots would be overhauled under House bill Members of the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill Monday that would force the Federal Aviation Administration to make a sweeping overhaul of what critics call antiquated pilot mental health rules. The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 is the most significant move yet in ending FAA policies that effectively ban commercial pilots from seeking any mental health - including therapy. The current rules impose “a culture of silence that is affecting safety,” according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy. Advocates for the bill say the move is a huge step in addressing the long-standing stigma—and lack of support—for the mental health of pilots. “For so long, people were like, ‘I can never be sad,’” Chris Finlayson, Executive Director of the Pilot Mental Health Campaign and commercial pilot for a major airline, told CNN. “Now, all of a sudden, the pilot population has realized that reform is actually coming.” The bill mandates the FAA enact 24 recommendations from an aviation rule-making committee within two years, forcing the agency to address a backlog of pilot medical certifications with special exceptions as well as hire FAA physicians with mental health backgrounds. CNN has reached out to the FAA for a comment on the bill. Pilots need both a medical examination and certificate from the FAA to fly. Commercial airline pilots are required to hold what’s called a first-class medical certificate, which mandates a visit to an FAA-designated doctor, known as an aviation medical examiner, every 12 months for pilots 40 years old and younger. Older pilots are required to get an examination every six months. On exam forms submitted to the FAA, pilots are required to self-disclose “mental disorders of any sort; depression, anxiety, etc.” leading many pilots to avoid seeking care. “This often leaves the folks tasked with keeping our skies safe with an absolutely terrible choice: get help, and put your career and your paycheck on hold, or keep your career on track and just hope you’ll get better,” said a statement from House Democrat Sean Casten of Illinois who cosponsored the bill. “It doesn’t make our skies safer but it does lead to horrible and avoidable tragedies.” The issue of pilot mental health was thrust into the spotlight in October 2023 when off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson was charged with trying to crash an Alaska Airlines flight as he flew as a passenger in the cockpit. Immediately following the incident, Emerson told police he had not slept in 40 hours, recently experimented with “magic mushrooms,” and had been depressed for months, if not years. He entered a guilty plea as part of a deal with prosecutors last week. The bill now moves to the Senate, Finlayson told CNN, with efforts underway to pass a companion bill. “This makes our sky safer,” he said. “This is a massive step forward.” https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/us/pilot-mental-health-bill FAA warns airlines of rising lithium battery fire risks in passenger cabins The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new safety alert to airlines, warning that lithium batteries carried by passengers and crew continue to pose a growing fire risk aboard commercial flights. The FAA Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) urges airlines to take immediate steps to tighten procedures, review crew training, and communicate more clearly with passengers about how to safely handle electronic devices. The FAA says thermal runaway events — when a battery overheats uncontrollably and can ignite — remain a major hazard in passenger compartments and cargo holds. “Operators should consider lithium battery hazards in their safety risk management processes,” the FAA wrote in SAFO 25002. The agency called on US air carriers to update firefighting protocols, refresh crew training, and expand publicity campaigns so passengers understand what to do if a device poses a potentially dangerous condition in flight. The timing of the alert reflects a rise in reported lithium battery fire incidents. According to FAA data cited by Reuters, U.S. airlines and cargo operators have logged about 50 smoke, fire, or overheating events involving lithium-ion batteries in 2025. Several cases forced flight diversions or caused passenger injuries. One recent example came on August 5, when a passenger’s cellphone overheated on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Madrid. Smoke filled part of the cabin, the FAA said, and the passenger was injured, while damage to the aircraft floor delayed the flight. Less than a month earlier, a laptop overheated on a flight from Chicago to Portland, Oregon. The crew moved the device into a bag in a lavatory, but the situation grew serious enough that the pilots diverted to Casper, Wyoming. Lithium batteries are now so common — powering everything from smartphones to e-cigarettes to medical devices — that airlines face a constant challenge in mitigating risks. Most incidents involve passenger electronics in the cabin. Others stem from cargo shipments that contain undeclared or poorly packaged batteries. In January 2024, FedEx workers in California discovered flames in a package that had arrived from Seoul. Investigators later determined it contained five lithium-ion batteries shipped without proper declaration. The latest SAFO outlines three main areas where airlines should act. First, carriers must update their safety risk assessments under federal regulations to account for where passengers stow devices, especially in places like overhead bins where a fire may not be detected quickly. Second, flight crews must understand how lithium battery fires differ from other cabin fires. Halon fire extinguishers, which are effective for use on many types of flames, cannot stop a runaway battery from overheating. The FAA stresses that cooling with water is essential to prevent re-ignition. Finally, the alert directs airlines to boost passenger awareness, using announcements, safety cards, and websites to explain why lithium batteries should remain accessible during flight and what to do if one begins to overheat. Industry experts note that while cabin crews train regularly on battery fire scenarios, passengers often remain unaware of the dangers. “Many people still don’t realize how serious a smoking laptop or phone can be,” said aviation safety consultant John Cox, quoted in a 2023 USA Today report on battery fires. “The key is rapid recognition and immediate action.” The FAA has been tracking lithium battery events since 2006 and maintains a public database of incidents. The numbers show a steady climb as the devices have become more powerful and more prevalent. Regulators worldwide have already banned spare lithium batteries from checked baggage, requiring them to be carried into the cabin where crews can intervene. For now, the FAA is pressing airlines to raise their vigilance. “Thermal runaway can occur without warning,” the agency said in its alert. “Effective mitigation requires preparation, training, and clear communication with passengers.” The agency has not proposed new regulations, but the tone of the SAFO suggests mounting concern inside the FAA about the hazards batteries can pose. With dozens of serious events this year alone, regulators appear determined to keep the pressure on airlines, manufacturers, and passengers to reduce the risk of in-flight fires. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/faa-warns-airlines-of-rising-lithium-battery-fire-risks-in-passenger-cabins 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