Flight Safety Information - December 5, 2025 No. 242 In This Issue : Incident: FlySafair B738 at Johannesburg on Dec 3rd 2025, rejected takeoff : Incident: ANZ AT72 at Nelson on Nov 27th 2025, gear problem : Airbus A320-214 - Ground Fire (BRAZIL) : Boeing 777-21HER - Engine Shutdown (Moscow) : A New York to Scotland flight got all the way across the Atlantic before an air traffic control problem forced a diversion to Ireland : United Airlines Flight Diverted Due to ‘Emergency’ Onboard : ‘Cosmic Rays’ from Distant Supernova May Have Caused JetBlue Flight to Drop Mid-Air, Expert Says : Air China battery fire shows why airlines are cracking down on power banks : Air India’s Boeing 787 Fleet Struggles With Three Technical Issues Since July, DGCA Steps Up Safety Measures After June 2025 Ahmedabad Incident : These Are the Best (and Worst) Airlines in the World, According to a New 2025 Ranking : Calendar of Event Incident: FlySafair B738 at Johannesburg on Dec 3rd 2025, rejected takeoff A FlySafair Boeing 737-800, registration ZS-SJW performing flight FA-260 from Johannesburg to Durban (South Africa), was accelerating for takeoff from Johannesburg's runway 21R when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 130 knots over ground). The aircraft slowed and came to a stop about 2150 meters down the runway and was disabled with a number of tyres deflated. The airport reported they needed to operate single runway only due to an aircraft that experienced a tyre burst. https://avherald.com/h?article=530a831b&opt=0 Incident: ANZ AT72 at Nelson on Nov 27th 2025, gear problem An ANZ Air New Zealand Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration ZK-MVQ performing flight NZ-5069 from Auckland to Nelson (New Zealand), was on approach to Nelson when the crew received a landing gear warning and went around. The crew subsequently decided to return to Auckland where the aircraft landed without further incident. New Zealand's TAIC reported: "The Commission is investigating a serious incident involving an ATR 72-600 aeroplane, registration ZK-MVQ, operated by Air New Zealand, on 27 November 2025. The reported circumstances were that the commercial flight was on approach to Nelson Aerodrome when the flight crew received a landing gear warning and conducted a go-around. The aeroplane diverted to Auckland Aerodrome and landed safely." The return flight was cancelled, the aircraft resumed service about 90 minutes after landing in Auckland, then performed rotation NZ-5113/5114 to Palmerston North and then remained on the ground in Auckland for about 21 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=5309df21&opt=0 Airbus A320-214 - Ground Fire (BRAZIL) Date: Thursday 4 December 2025 Time: Type: Airbus A320-214 Owner/operator: LATAM Airlines Brasil Registration: PR-MHR MSN: 3313 Year of manufacture: 2007 Engine model: CFMI CFM56-5B4/P Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, SP (GRU/SBGR) - Brazil Phase: Standing Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, SP (GRU/SBGR) Destination airport: Porto Alegre Airport, RS (POA/SBPA) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: LATAM Airlines Brasil flight LA3418, an Airbus A320-214, was evacuated at the gate at São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU) after a small fire broke out in ground equipment used for loading cargo. Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft via the boarding bridge and the rear escape slides. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/563004 Boeing 777-21HER - Engine Shutdown (Moscow) Date: Wednesday 3 December 2025 Time: c. 21:20 LT Type: Boeing 777-21HER Owner/operator: Red Wings Airlines Registration: RA-73330 MSN: 27251/54 Year of manufacture: 1997 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 425 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Category: Incident Location: near Moscow-Domodedovo International Airport (DME/UUDD) - Russia Phase: Initial climb Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Moskva-Domodedovo Airport (DME/UUDD) Destination airport: Phuket International Airport (HKT/VTSP) Investigating agency: MAK Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Allegedly Red Wings flight WZ3097, a Boeing 777-200ER, RA-73330, suffered an in-flight engine shutdown on climb out of Moscow Domodedovo Airport en route to Phuket. The aircraft circled in the Moscow area for some time before returning to Moscow where it landed safely. The airline refuted rumours about an engine fire. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/562948 A New York to Scotland flight got all the way across the Atlantic before an air traffic control problem forced a diversion to Ireland It diverted to the Irish capital, Dublin, after circling Edinburgh for around 20 minutes. Edinburgh Airport halted all flights due to an IT issue with its air traffic control provider. A Delta Air Lines flight to Scotland had to divert after an IT issue halted operations at its destination. Delta Flight 208 took off from New York on Thursday evening and was supposed to land at Edinburgh Airport around 9 a.m. local time. However, after a six-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean, the Boeing 767 then spent about 20 minutes circling just south of the Scottish capital. It then changed course for Ireland, landing in Dublin just after 10 a.m. "Due to an IT issue with our air traffic control provider, no flights are currently operating from Edinburgh Airport," the airport said in a statement on X. Data from Flightradar24 shows 11 flights bound for Edinburgh have been diverted, mostly to nearby Glasgow. At around 10:45 a.m. local time, less than an hour after the Delta flight landed in Dublin, flights resumed from Edinburgh Airport. Delta could not immediately be reached for comment outside US working hours. Have your travel plans been affected by the Edinburgh airport IT outage? Get in touch with this reporter via email at psyme@businessinsider.com or Signal at syme.99. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/york-scotland-flight-got-way-105804152.html United Airlines Flight Diverted Due to ‘Emergency’ Onboard If you're embarking on a 10-hour overseas flight, the last thing you're hoping for is to have it diverted for any reason. Unfortunately, that's what happened to a United Airlines plane leaving London Heathrow bound for San Francisco today. According to multiple reports, United flight UA949 took off from London around 2:05 p.m. Thursday. However, less than 90 minutes into its journey, the crew declared an emergency onboard with a 7700 squawk alert. "#United flight #UAL949/#UA949 operated by #UnitedAirlines from #London to #SanFrancisco is squawking 7700," said the Squawk Alert X/Twitter account. "The aircraft is a #Boeing 777-200(ER) with registration #N74007. Crew has declared emergency and look to be retiring to their origin." Thankfully, the aircraft was safely diverted to Edinburgh, Scotland, landing around 4:40 p.m., according to reports. What caused the emergency? According to AirLive.net, an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) message indicated the plane was dealing with an issue with its brakes. Another report said recirculation fan failure was also part of the problem. Edinburgh Live said the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to the plane after it landed but were told to stand down upon arrival. So far, neither United Airlines nor Edinburgh Airport have issued any official comments on what happened or when the plane would be ready to resume travel. United experienced a similar diversion last week Six days ago, a United plane heading from Washington Dulles to Tokyo was diverted, ironically, to San Francisco for a reported technical issue. The flight made the diversion nine hours into its planned 13-14 hour trip. After a delay, the aircraft returned to the skies and reportedly landed roughly 24 hours after taking off. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-airlines-flight-diverted-due-223601582.html ‘Cosmic Rays’ from Distant Supernova May Have Caused JetBlue Flight to Drop Mid-Air, Expert Says The Oct. 30 incident saw the plane rapidly lose altitude and sent at least 15 to 20 people to the hospital. NEED TO KNOW A space and radiation expert claims a JetBlue flight incident that left at least 15 people hospitalized may have been caused by "cosmic rays" The statement contradicts an explanation from Airbus, the plane's manufacturer, which cited "solar radiation" as the cause Clive Dyer, the expert at the University of Surrey, told Space.com solar activity was insignificant the day of the incident A space and radiation expert is disagreeing with Airbus’ recent explanation of a flight incident that left at least 15 people injured back in October. On Oct. 30, a JetBlue Airbus A320 aircraft traveling from Mexico to New Jersey experienced a sudden drop in altitude forcing an emergency landing in Tampa, Fla. At the time, Tampa Rescue confirmed to PEOPLE that “approximately 15 to 20 passengers were evaluated and transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.” About a month later, Airbus released a statement offering an explanation of the incident. “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls,” the company wrote in a Nov. 28 statement. “Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.” The company subsequently requested more than 6,000 aircraft implement an immediate software update to ensure the fleet is safe to fly. The planes were briefly grounded this week for the update to be made. Now, Clive Dyer, a space and radiation expert at the University of Surrey in the U.K., is speaking out about the incident. While flares from the sun can interrupt aircraft electronics, Dyer told Space.com that solar radiation levels on Oct. 30 were unremarkable and nowhere near the levels that could have affected the flight. Instead, he believes the flight could have been struck by a cosmic ray: “a stream of high-energy particles from a distant star exploding that may have traveled millions of years before reaching Earth,” according to the outlet. "[Cosmic rays] can interact with modern microelectronics and change the state of a circuit," Dyer said. "They can cause a simple bit flip, like a 0 to 1 or 1 to 0. They can mess up information and make things go wrong. But they can cause hardware failures too, when they induce a current in an electronic device and burn it out." When massive stars explode in supernovas, cosmic rays frequently occur, sending showers of particles towards Earth’s atmosphere. Solar flares are another source of these particles, but they can be dozens or even thousands of times more energetic and damaging, according to Space.com. An airplane flying in the sky Potentially dangerous levels of solar radiation occurred in the atmosphere less than two weeks after the JetBlue incident, which could potentially explain the sudden Airbus update, per the outlet. "It's down to manufacturers to produce hardy electronics, especially in safety critical units," Dyer said. "A slight problem is that over 20 years, they've become complacent, because there have not been any [significant solar weather] events." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A September report from the outlet explained that after decades of solar activity decreasing, the sun is becoming increasingly more active, which in turn may impact aircrafts. "You can get huge increases [in particle radiation] from the sun," Dyer said. "A thousand times higher than cosmic rays, and then many aircraft could be bothered by it." Neither Airbus nor JetBlue immediately responded to PEOPLE's request for comment. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cosmic-rays-distant-supernova-may-165717136.html Air China battery fire shows why airlines are cracking down on power banks Recent incidents highlight the risks of lithium batteries and new airline rules for safer flights Lithium battery fires on planes are rare but serious and unpredictable. Today’s incident (embedded below) on an Air China flight proves it. A battery in a passenger’s carry-on bag caught fire while the Airbus A320 flew from Hangzhou to Seoul. The cabin crew contained the flames and the plane safely diverted to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Black smoke filled the cabin and bright flames were visible but no one was hurt. Many passengers might instinctively reach for water or juice to put out a fire, but that can make things worse. Lithium-ion batteries should be extinguished with a Class D fire extinguisher. If that isn’t available a Class ABC extinguisher can help. In a worst-case scenario sand, baking soda or a fire blanket can contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. Airlines have been tightening rules because of incidents like this. Check-in agents always ask about lithium batteries in checked luggage because a fire in the cargo hold is nearly impossible to control. And global airlines are now restricting portable power banks in-flight. Emirates, Southwest, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Cathay Pacific and carriers across Asia including AirAsia, Korean Air and EVA Air now prohibit charging power banks on board and some forbid using them entirely. Qantas has also banned in-flight charging. Southwest Airlines has introduced new rules following a few high-profile incidents on its aircraft. "When a portable charger or power bank is used during a flight, it must be kept out of any baggage and remain in plain sight. Do not charge devices in the overhead bin." I had my own close call a few years ago on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles. My HP laptop’s bottom cover had popped off one of its screws and the battery was swelling. I learned the hard way a swollen battery should never fly. The takeaway is simple. Lithium battery fires are uncommon but dangerous. With awareness, careful packing and adherence to airline rules including the latest power bank restrictions, passengers can significantly reduce the risk and stay safe in the air. https://www.yahoo.com/creators/lifestyle/story/air-china-battery-fire-shows-why-airlines-are-cracking-down-on-power-banks-102752991.html Air India’s Boeing 787 Fleet Struggles With Three Technical Issues Since July, DGCA Steps Up Safety Measures After June 2025 Ahmedabad Incident Air India Takes Proactive Steps Following Boeing 787 Technical Glitches: A Look at Safety Measures and DGCA’s Role Air India, one of India’s leading airlines, has reported three technical glitches in its Boeing 787 fleet since July. These issues have prompted heightened safety inspections, mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a significant accident involving a Boeing 787 on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad. In this article, we explore the safety measures implemented by the airline and the role of the DGCA in ensuring the safety and reliability of India’s aviation industry. Background: A Call for Enhanced Inspections On June 12, 2025, a Boeing 787 operated by Air India was involved in an accident in Ahmedabad. Fortunately, the incident did not result in fatalities, but it raised critical concerns regarding the safety of the aircraft’s operations. Following the accident, the DGCA, India’s aviation regulatory body, issued clear directives for Air India to conduct enhanced safety inspections on its entire fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft. This was part of a broader effort to ensure that the airline’s aircraft met the highest safety standards and were fully equipped to handle any operational challenges. In a written statement to the Lok Sabha, Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, revealed that Air India had reported three technical glitches on its Boeing 787 fleet since July. These issues, while concerning, were swiftly addressed by the airline’s maintenance team, in line with the DGCA’s stringent guidelines. Proactive Measures: DGCA’s Surveillance and Air India’s Response The DGCA plays a vital role in ensuring that airlines in India meet safety standards and follow proper maintenance protocols. In the case of the Boeing 787 fleet, the DGCA ordered a series of enhanced inspections, with an emphasis on detecting any potential technical faults that could compromise flight safety. The inspections were not only reactive but also proactive, designed to identify any emerging issues before they became significant concerns. These heightened inspections included spot checks, night surveillance, and continuous monitoring of the airline’s fleet. The DGCA’s surveillance extends beyond routine checks, providing an added layer of security for passengers and the aviation industry at large. All findings from these inspections were provided to Air India to ensure corrective actions were taken immediately. The minister noted that the airline complied fully with the DGCA’s directives and that all the aircraft in question were found to meet the required safety standards. Despite the technical snags, the airline’s fleet was cleared for further service after necessary repairs and rectifications were made, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Addressing Technical Faults: The Role of Flight Crews and Maintenance Engineers Technical glitches in aircraft are not uncommon and can occur due to malfunctioning components or equipment fitted onto the aircraft. In such cases, the airline’s crew is the first line of defense. As soon as a technical issue is detected, whether through visual or aural warnings in the cockpit or through system malfunctions, the flight crew is responsible for reporting the issue immediately. Once the flight has safely landed, the flight crew logs the issue in the aircraft’s Flight Report Book. This log is reviewed by a qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), who evaluates the fault according to the Manufacturer’s Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) or Trouble Shooting Manual. The AME follows prescribed procedures to rectify the fault, which could involve component replacement, system servicing, or other necessary repairs. After the necessary fixes are carried out, the aircraft undergoes thorough testing to ensure it is fully operational. Upon completion of these procedures, the aircraft is cleared for service and an entry is made in the Flight Report Book, indicating that the issue has been resolved. Enforcement Actions and DGCA’s Role in Compliance The DGCA’s role does not stop at conducting inspections. The agency is also responsible for ensuring that airlines comply with safety and maintenance regulations. In cases where an airline or its personnel fail to adhere to safety standards, the DGCA has the authority to impose enforcement actions. These actions could range from issuing warnings to suspension or cancellation of operations. In more severe cases, the DGCA can impose fines on the airline or the personnel involved. The DGCA also conducts ongoing surveillance, including random spot checks and night surveillance, to ensure that airlines are continuously adhering to safety protocols. These measures help create a comprehensive framework for ensuring safety and reliability in Indian aviation. Conclusion: The Importance of Safety in Aviation The steps taken by Air India in response to the technical glitches in its Boeing 787 fleet highlight the airline’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards. The proactive involvement of the DGCA in ensuring these safety measures is a testament to India’s robust regulatory framework in aviation. While technical glitches are an inherent part of the aviation industry, the swift and systematic response from both the airline and regulatory authorities has helped maintain the integrity of the fleet, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the role of regulatory bodies like the DGCA will remain critical in ensuring that airlines uphold the highest standards of safety and operational reliability. The commitment to passenger safety, as demonstrated by Air India and the DGCA, serves as a model for the broader aviation community in India and beyond. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/air-indias-boeing-787-fleet-struggles-with-three-technical-issues-since-july-dgca-steps-up-safety-measures-after-june-2025-ahmedabad-incident/ These Are the Best (and Worst) Airlines in the World, According to a New 2025 Ranking AirHelp’s annual scorecard places Qatar at No. 1—while no U.S. airline made the top 10. Travel should be fun from start to finish, but sometimes, the journey getting to that long-awaited vacation can come with a few bumps. And we're not only talking about the turbulence. Sometimes, the airline you pick can make or break your getaway. And AirHelp, an organization specializing in air passenger rights, knows which ones will work in your favor. AirHelp announced the results of its annual AirHelp Score report, which ranks airlines worldwide on performance and passenger experience. To calculate the airlines' scores, the team at AirHelp combined several data sources, including their on-time performance (meaning an airline's arrival and departure statistics and how often they are on time, late, or early) and claim processing (meaning how efficiently airlines handle claims, including how likely they are to pay out compensation for lost luggage and other disruptions). AirHelp also asked passengers about their most recent experiences, which included thousands of responses from travelers across 54 countries, each rating the airline "food, comfort, and crew." After reviewing the data, it named Qatar Airways as its top performer with an AirHelp Score of 8.16 out of 10. "Qatar Airways has battled its way back to the top spot, which it held from 2018 to 2023 and only fell to the number two spot in 2024," the team explained. Next on the list is Etihad Airways, which nabbed an AirHelp Score of 8.07 and moved all the way up from its 11th-place spot in 2024. Rounding out the top three is Virgin Atlantic, which secured an AirHelp Score of 8.03 and made an astonishing rise in the rankings, moving up from the 30th position last year. It was followed by Qantas, KM Malta Airlines, Aeromexico, Oman Air, Saudia, Brussels Airlines, and LOT Polish Airlines, rounding out the top 10. As AirHelp noted, "U.S.-based airlines fell a bit in the rankings overall this year, none ranking in the top 10." The first U.S.-based airline to make the list was American Airlines, which took the No. 11 spot; however, this means it fell seven places from its 2024 ranking. Other top U.S.-based airlines include United at No. 13, Delta at No. 15, and Frontier at No. 36. JetBlue was the worst U.S.-based performer on the list, coming in at No. 89. But there is a bit of good news for the airline: it actually went up one spot from its position at No. 90 in 2024. See the full AirHelp Score rankings at airhelp.com/en/airhelp-score, and pick an airline that makes you feel like you're on your vacation from the moment you depart. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/best-worst-airlines-world-according-182400267.html CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Singapore Airshow 2026 - FEBRUARY 3-6, 2026. . 60th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium - March 31 - April 1, 2026 (Irving, TX) . 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