Flight Safety Information - January 01, 2026 No. 001 In This Issue : Incident: Skywest CRJ7 at Charlottesville on Dec 29th 2025, wing tip strike : Incident: Lufthansa A343 at Cape Town on Dec 29th 2025, gear problem on departure : Emirates Airlines jet going from Heathrow to Dubai suffers New Year’s Eve mid-air malfunction and is forced to circle above London for more than an HOUR before landing : Family of man killed in jet engine sues Salt Lake City airport, alleging officials didn’t alert air traffic he was on tarmac : Smelling of liquor, AI pilot detained at Vancouver airport on X'mas eve before operating Delhi flight : DGCA issues notice to Air India crew over safety and compliance lapses : US updates ‘do not travel’ warning for major world power, urges Americans leave right away : Calendar of Events Incident: Skywest CRJ7 at Charlottesville on Dec 29th 2025, wing tip strike A Skywest Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of United, registration N779SK performing flight UA-5532 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Charlottesville,VA (USA), went around from very low height on approach to Charlottesville's runway 21 but struck its right hand wing tip onto the runway surface. The aircraft positioned for another approach to runway 21 and landed safely about 15 minutes later. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT RIGHT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA." but identified the aircraft erroneously as N603SK (which did the later UA-5610 flight to Charlottesville). The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Charlottesville for about 49 hours, then positioned to Tucson,AZ (USA). https://avherald.com/h?article=53206ba1&opt=0 Incident: Lufthansa A343 at Cape Town on Dec 29th 2025, gear problem on departure A Lufthansa Airbus A340-300, registration D-AIGT performing flight LH-577 from Cape Town (South Africa) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany), was climbing out of Cape Town's runway 19 when the crew stopped the climb at FL100 due to a gear door not closing. The crew attempted to recycle the gear a few times without success. Subsequently the aircraft dumped fuel and returned to Cape Town for a safe landing on runway 19 about 135 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled. The aircraft is still on the ground in Cape Town about 47 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=532065f9&opt=0 Emirates Airlines jet going from Heathrow to Dubai suffers New Year’s Eve mid-air malfunction and is forced to circle above London for more than an HOUR before landing An Emirates Airlines jet travelling from Heathrow to Dubai suffered a New Year's Eve mid-air malfunction and was forced to circle above London for more than an hour before landing back at Heathrow. The double-decker Airbus A380 departed from Heathrow’s runway at 2.32pm, 52 minutes late and was initially scheduled to arrive in Dubai at 12.40am. However, shortly after becoming airborne, the flight crew reported an issue with a landing gear door. The aircraft was significantly above its Maximum Landing Weight (MLW) for its seven-hour journey and had to dispose of fuel to ensure a safe arrival and avoid structural stress on the airframe. The gear doors remained open after departure as the aircraft climbed away from Heathrow. The pilots entered a holding pattern nearby which is a standardised, racetrack-shaped flight path used to keep aircraft safely circling within designated airspace while awaiting Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance. For approximately 90 minutes, the aircraft circled at an altitude of 10,000 feet over Orpington, south-east London, to allow the engines to consume enough fuel to lighten the plane. After reducing the weight to within safe limits, the flight was cleared for an approach and touched down safely at Heathrow at 4.28pm, approximately two hours after its initial departure. For approximately 90 minutes, the aircraft circled at an altitude of 10,000 feet over Orpington, South East of London, to allow the engines to consume enough fuel to lighten the plane For approximately 90 minutes, the aircraft circled at an altitude of 10,000 feet over Orpington, South East of London, to allow the engines to consume enough fuel to lighten the plane The gear doors remained open after departure as the aircraft climbed away from Heathrow The gear doors remained open after departure as the aircraft climbed away from Heathrow The flight touched down safely at Heathrow at 16:28, approximately two hours after its initial departure The flight touched down safely at Heathrow at 16:28, approximately two hours after its initial departure An Emirates spokesperson said: 'Emirates flight EK002 departed London Heathrow (LHR) for Dubai on 31 December 2025 after 13:40 GMT as scheduled, but returned to LHR shortly after take-off due to a technical fault. 'The flight landed back in LHR and passengers and crew were safely disembarked. 'All passengers will be rebooked to depart on future Emirates flights from LHR. Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised.' Delays left passengers confused and some have had their holiday plans ruined Travel expert Simon Calder said on X: '500 Emirates passengers who took off from Heathrow for Dubai this afternoon got no further than Maidstone in Kent before the pilots decided to turn back due to a landing gear problem. 'The Airbus A380 SuperJumbo circled over Orpington for 2 hours to burn off fuel and landed safely.' It looks like passengers may ring in the New Year from airport hotels in the Heathrow area. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15425487/Emirates-Airlines-jet-Heathrow-Dubai-New-Years-Eve-malfunction-London.html Family of man killed in jet engine sues Salt Lake City airport, alleging officials didn’t alert air traffic he was on tarmac Salt Lake City did not take proper precautions to prevent people from accessing the tarmac, the family alleges. Salt Lake City International Airport in January 2024. The parents of Kyler Efinger are suing Salt Lake City, saying the airport lacked safeguards to prevent the young man's death when he suffered a manic episode and crawled into a jet engine. Kyler Efinger died almost two years ago, after crawling into an airplane’s engine cowling at the Salt Lake City International Airport. The plane’s pilot was not told that a disoriented man was wandering about the runway, and taxied his plane until it was too late, according to a lawsuit Judd and Lisa Efinger, Kyler’s parents, filed Tuesday against Salt Lake City. That alleged oversight — as well as other issues the Efingers claim slowed the search effort for Kyler — show that the city failed to maintain safe and secure premises at the airport, Kyler’s parents claim in the legal filing. The lawsuit argues that if police had found Kyler just 30 seconds earlier, he would still be alive. The Efingers are requesting a jury trial to determine the amount of damages they should be paid, according to the court filing. Because of the pending litigation, Salt Lake City declined to comment on the lawsuit. Kyler, a 30-year-old Park City man with bipolar disorder, passed through security at the Salt Lake City airport on Jan. 1, 2024, at about 8:50 p.m., according to the lawsuit. He was going to fly to Denver, according to police at the time. There, he planned to visit a sick grandparent, Judd Efinger told Fox 13 shortly after Kyler was found. About 10 minutes after Kyler passed through airport security, the lawsuit states, he began experiencing a manic episode and left his plane’s gate. Citing the airport’s surveillance footage, the lawsuit states that Kyler walked and ran down moving walkways several times, interrupting the flow of foot traffic. At about 9:28 p.m., according to the lawsuit, Kyler arrived at the airport’s Utah Jazz pro shop and bought a jersey. The filing claims Kyler was acting so unusually, the store manager gave him the shirt for less than half its regular price to quicken the transaction. Kyler later returned for a bag he had left behind in the store, the lawsuit states, and was yelling incoherently and demanded his money back. After the manager said he would need the jersey back in order to return the money, Kyler grew agitated, the lawsuit states. Growing uncomfortable, the store manager called the airport emergency line, and Kyler left, the lawsuit states. After trying to open several locked doors at airport gates, the lawsuit states that Kyler left through an emergency exit door at 9:54 p.m., which led him to the airport’s outdoor ramp area. The lawsuit argues that the airport had no systems to prevent someone from easily accessing the tarmac. When he pushed the emergency exit door, the lawsuit states, airport officials should have immediately been notified which exit was opened. Instead, the legal filing quotes an unnamed police officer as saying the search for Kyler was a “wild goose chase.” Police initially arrived to investigate the disturbance in the Utah Jazz store, according to officials at the time. Airport control then told them the emergency door had been opened, and police started searching for Kyler on the tarmac. As police searched the ramp, the lawsuit alleges they received incorrect information and searched the wrong areas. At 10:02 p.m., the lawsuit states, dispatchers told police the right location. Kyler, meanwhile, made his way to a runway, and took off his clothes, other than a jersey and socks, the lawsuit states. At 10:04 p.m., the filing states, a pilot reported they saw Kyler near the runway. At 10:07 p.m., Kyler reached the runway’s deicing area, and a minute later sprinted toward an Airbus A220-100, according to the filing. The Airbus had just started taxiing away from the deicing pad, following instructions from air traffic control, the lawsuit states. According to officials at the time, dispatchers told officers Kyler was spotted under a commercial aircraft and had accessed the engine. At 10:08, police asked air traffic controllers to tell the Airbus pilot to shut down the engines. The lawsuit argues that because the plane was taxiing even as Kyler was somewhere nearby on the tarmac nearby, air traffic controllers and pilots should have been told to hold in place during the search. Kyler climbed into the plane’s engine cowling while the engine was running, the lawsuit states. There, the legal filing states he suffered blunt force trauma, which led to his death. “About the first seven minutes of the city’s search for him were wholly ineffective,” the lawsuit states. https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/01/01/family-sues-slc-airport-two-years/ Smelling of liquor, AI pilot detained at Vancouver airport on X'mas eve before operating Delhi flight NEW DELHI: Getting into the Yuletide spirit could prove expensive for an Air India pilot who was to operate a Vancouver-Delhi (via Vienna) flight on Dec 23, 2025. A staffer at Vancouver duty free either saw him inadvertently sipping wine being offered at this festive time or found him smelling of liquor while he was buying a bottle. She reported this Boeing 777 pilot to the Canadian authorities who conducted a breath analyser test on him which he flunked and then he was detained. Luckily for passengers, Air India managed to quickly find a replacement. The ultra long haul, to be operated by four pilots or two sets (one captain and a co-pilot in each set) in turns, supposed to leave at 3 pm local time did so with just a two-hour delay. The aircraft then landed in Vienna from where another set of crew operated it to Delhi. “AI has taken a very stern view of this matter. The pilot was flown to Delhi a couple of days later and is being probed. The issue has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is also examining the same,” said people in the know. While some sources say the pilot had inadvertently sipped an alcoholic drink at the airport and a staffer at duty free saw him doing so, others said he smelled of alcohol when buying a bottle. It is not yet known which of the two really happened, staffer reported the matter to Canadian authorities who then used CCTV footage to find out the pilot in question was to operate with flight. They managed to trace him to the AI aircraft. In a statement, AI said: “AI 186 from Vancouver to Delhi on Dec 23, 2025, experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot’s fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry. In accordance with safety protocols, an alternate pilot was rostered to operate the flight, resulting in the delay.” "Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers and is fully cooperating with the local authorities. The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations. Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy. Safety remains Air India’s highest priority at all times,” the airline statement added. Pilots operating international sectors usually do not have pre-flight breath analyser (BA) tests and the same is conducted on arrival as liquor is available on board these flights. This is to ensure they have not taken a sip or two during the flight. On domestic flights, pre-flights BA tests are conducted as alcohol is not served/sold on flights within India. While rules don’t mandate this, AI on its own has enforced a policy of conducting random pre-flight BA at international stations. The airline frequently keeps sending its doctors on international flights who then conduct these checks on pilots who are to operate the return flight to India. Pilots are surprised at this case. "Forget drinking, we don’t even use after shaves, perfumes, mouth wash or homeopathic medicines some hours before operating a flight. There have been multiple instances of teetotallers failing BA tests because of the alcohol in their breath because of using toiletries with alcoholic content. We look for these items without any alcohol, except homeopathic medicines where possibly there’s no option,” said a captain. The reason: Failing BA test thrice means losing flying license. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/smelling-of-liquor-ai-pilot-detained-at-vancouver-airport-on-xmas-eve-before-operating-delhi-flight/articleshow/126281228.cms DGCA issues notice to Air India crew over safety and compliance lapses India’s aviation regulator DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to Air India’s cockpit crew for operating multiple Delhi–Tokyo flights despite safety and compliance lapses. The notice cites incompatible minimum equipment lists and recurring technical issues, seeking an explanation within two weeks' DGCA issues notice to Air India crew over safety and compliance lapses India’s aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to the Air India cockpit crew for operating multiple flights between Delhi and Tokyo, news agency IANS reported. In its notice, the regulator stated that Air India is operating multiple flights despite being aware of safety and compliance lapses and sought a response in two weeks. The notice pertains to operations of flight AI-357 from Delhi to Tokyo and AI-358 from Tokyo to Delhi, IANS reported. “The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) applicable to the aircraft was incompatible,” the DGCA notice said. Air India is yet to reply to the notice, which further mentioned that this was not an isolated incident and that similar issues had been detected in other sectors in the past. The aviation regulator has also asked the pilots to explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). In November 2025, following an engine shutdown on Air India’s Delhi-Mumbai flight, DGCA had called for a probe into the incident. The Mumbai-bound Air India B777-300ER aircraft returned to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a technical issue and landed safely in the national capital. “The AIC 887 (Delhi-Mumbai) was involved in an air turnback, as during flap retraction after take-off, the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on Engine No. 2 (right-hand engine),” DGCA mentioned. Soon after the take-off, the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. Following the procedure, the crew shut down the No 2 engine, and the aircraft landed safely at Delhi, it added. The DGCA, while highlighting the issues, noted that “the inspection/rectification is in progress”. The regulator further said, “The incident would be investigated by the Permanent Investigation Board of the Airline under the supervision of Director Air Safety (NR), DGCA”. https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/air-india-crew-served-show-cause-notice-by-dgca-over-safety-lapses-23610185 US updates ‘do not travel’ warning for major world power, urges Americans leave right away The State Department has updated its travel warning for Americans planning to or who are already visiting Russia. On Tuesday, the agency reissued a Level 4 travel warning for Russia that was announced in May. As part of the warning, the State Department urged any Americans already in Russia to leave immediately. The agency cautions that it has limited resources available to assist Americans if they are detained in Russia. Furthermore, Americans who’ve been charged with crimes may not be able to receive help from the U.S. embassy while in custody in Russia. "U.S. citizens may serve their entire prison sentence without release. The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens remains high. Even if a case is determined wrongful, there is no guarantee of release." Americans have reported being detained and questioned without any reason or credible evidence against them. The State Department also warns of ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine which “has destabilized security in southwestern Russia.” Martial law has been declared in several areas of Russia further restricting freedoms in the country. U.S. officials warn that Russia is not recognizing U.S. citizenship for those who have dual citizenship with Russia. The agency goes on to claim: Russia has blocked U.S. consular officers from visiting detained dual U.S.-Russian citizens. The Russian government has forced people with dual citizenship to join the military and has stopped them from leaving the country. In 2022, Russia started drafting citizens for the war in Ukraine. The military draft is ongoing. Failure to adhere to Russian laws and regulations on dual citizenship can result in arrest. Although the warning says to leave Russia right away, it may be difficult for some. U.S. issued debit and credit cards are no longer working in Russia and sanctions have made it “nearly impossible” for electronic money transfers to be sent from the U.S. Air travel is also extremely difficult to secure at the moment and may not be possible on short notice. “If you wish to leave Russia, you should make your own travel plans. The U.S. Embassy can only offer limited help to U.S. citizens trying to leave. Transportation options could become even more limited at any time,” the advisory reads. Should Americans decide to visit or remain in Russia, the State Department advises: Be ready for the possibility of detention for an unknown amount of time, possibly without a clear reason, and without the ability to contact your embassy or anyone else for help. Assume all electronic communications and devices in Russia are monitored by Russian security services. Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals based on information found on electronic devices. Prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or power of attorney. Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Review this list of documents to prepare for your trip. Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care and custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc. Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them. Develop a communication plan with family, your employer or host organization. List how and when you’ll confirm you’re safe (text or call). Specify how often you will do this. For more information on the warning, visit the State Department website. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-updates-not-travel-warning-201959236.html CALENDAR OF EVENTS . Singapore Airshow 2026 - FEBRUARY 3-6, 2026. . VERTICON 2026 - Atlanta March 9-12 . 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 . IATA World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (23-25 June, Madrid, Spain) . ISASI - 2026 (September/October 2026) - Dubai, UAE . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis