Flight Safety Information - January 26, 2026 No. 018 In This Issue : Incident: United B763 near Newark on Jan 22nd 2026, laptop fell through gap into cargo hold : Incident: Lufthansa CRJ9 at Lyon on Jan 24th 2026, gear problem on departure : Incident: UPS B763 over Atlantic on Jan 21st 2026, engine trouble : Incident: American A319 near Norfolk on Jan 23rd 2026, suspected fuel leak : Incident: Compass Cargo B744 at Hong Kong on Jan 23rd 2026, engine shut down in flight : Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 - Fatal Accident on Takeoff (Maine) : British Airways A380 Pilots Declares Minimum Fuel on Approach to San Francisco : Korean Air to ban in-flight use of portable batteries : Embraer plans production boost after surge in jet orders : Airbus Warns US-China Trade War is Hurting Aircraft Production : Aviation Fatalities Hit 7-Year High In 2025, Per Aviation Safety Network : Philippine Airlines secures financing for five A350-1000s : Calendar of Events Incident: United B763 near Newark on Jan 22nd 2026, laptop fell through gap into cargo hold A United Boeing 767-300, registration N668UA performing flight UA-748 from Washington Dulles,DC (USA) to Geneva (Switzerland), was enroute at FL330 about 60nm east of Portland,ME (USA) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Newark,NJ (USA) after a passenger's laptop had fallen into a gap at the cabin side wall and gone through a gap into the cargo hold. The aircraft landed safely in Newark about 85 minutes later. The laptop was retrieved with its LiOn battery undamaged, the aircraft was able to depart again after about 3 hours on the ground and reached Geneva with a delay of about 4.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=533a71cf&opt=0 Incident: Lufthansa CRJ9 at Lyon on Jan 24th 2026, gear problem on departure A Lufthansa Canadair CRJ-900, registration D-ACND performing flight LH-2249 from Lyon (France) to Munich (Germany) with 69 people on board, was climbing out of Lyon's runway 35L when the crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet due to a problem with the landing gear and entered a hold for troubleshooting. The crew subsequently decided to divert to Geneva (Switzerland) due to the weather/low visibility at Lyon. The aircraft entered another hold at Geneva before safe landing on Geneva's runway 22 about 100 minutes after departure. The airline reported the status of the landing gear was unclear due to technical reasons, a visual examination of the landing gear was not possible in Lyon due to low visibility, therefore the aircraft was diverted to Geneva and landed safely. https://avherald.com/h?article=533a6edf&opt=0 Incident: UPS B763 over Atlantic on Jan 21st 2026, engine trouble A UPS United Parcel Service Boeing 767-300 freighter, registration N356UP performing flight 5X-237 from Philadelphia,PA (USA) to East Midlands,EN (UK), was enroute at FL370 over the Atlantic Ocean about 600nm east of St. John's,NL (Canada) when the right hand engines suffered a number of surges causing also the autothrottle to disconnect. The aircraft descended to FL270, turned around and diverted to St. John's for a safe landing on runway 28 about 2 hours later. The aircraft is still on the ground in St. John's about 4 days later. https://avherald.com/h?article=533a3f75&opt=0 Incident: American A319 near Norfolk on Jan 23rd 2026, suspected fuel leak An American Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N9026C performing flight AA-2198 from Philadelphia,PA to Jacksonville,FL (USA) with 51 people on board, was enroute at FL380 about 40nm west of Norfolk,VA (USA) when the crew suspected a fuel leak and decided to divert to Norfolk. The aircraft landed safely on Norfolk's runway 05 about 25 minutes after leaving FL380. The aircraft remained on the ground in Norfolk for 2:20 hours, then continued tje journey and reached Jacksonville with a delay of about 3 hours. The airline reported no fuel leak was detected after landing, there had been a problem with a fuel indicator light that indicated a possible fuel leak. https://avherald.com/h?article=53393ddf&opt=0 Incident: Compass Cargo B744 at Hong Kong on Jan 23rd 2026, engine shut down in flight A Compass Air Cargo Boeing 747-400 on behalf of Emirates, registration LZ-CJB performing flight EK-9239 from Hong Kong (China) to Dubai Al Maktoum (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Hong Kong's runway 25L when the crew stopped the climb at about FL160 reporting high vibrations in their #4 engine (CF6). The crew shut the engine down and returned to Hong Kong for a safe landing on runway 07L about 2 hours after departure. The aircraft is still on the ground in Hong Kong 9.5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=53389326&opt=0 Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 - Fatal Accident on Takeoff (Maine) Type: Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 Owner/operator: KTKC Challenger LLC, opb Arnold & Itkin Registration: N10KJ MSN: 6155 Year of manufacture: 2020 Fatalities: Fatalities: / Occupants: 8 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: Bangor International Airport (BGR/KBGR), Bangor, ME - United States of America Phase: Take off Nature: Executive Departure airport: Bangor International Airport, ME (BGR/KBGR) Destination airport: Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG/LFPB) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 crashed during a takeoff attempt from runway 33 in adverse weather conditions at Bangor International Airport (BGR/KBGR), Bangor, Maine. The airplane carried eight occupants flipped upside down and was destroyed by fire. ADS-B data indicates that the aircraft landed at BGR at 18:09 LT after a flight from Houston, TX (HOU). It parked at the General Aviation Terminal at 18:15. At 19:13 the aircraft taxied to the de-icing pad, where it remained from 19:17 to 19:36. It taxied to runway 33 and commenced the takeoff at 19:44. At a distance of 1760 m pas the threshold, the aircraft veered right at a ground speed of 152 knots. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/565865 British Airways A380 Pilots Declares Minimum Fuel on Approach to San Francisco Runway disruption at San Francisco forced holding before priority clearance for the London-origin A380. SAN FRANCISCO- A British Airways (BA) Airbus A380-800 declared minimum fuel while approaching San Francisco after being placed in a holding pattern due to a runway blockage. The aircraft continued the approach once cleared and landed safely at San Francisco with fuel levels at the declared minimum. British Airways was operating a scheduled long-haul service from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) when the event occurred. British Airways A380 Pilots Declare Minimum Fuel The incident involved a British Airways Airbus A380-800, registration G-XLEC, operating flight BA287 from London Heathrow to San Francisco. As the aircraft descended toward the San Francisco terminal area, air traffic control instructed the crew to enter a holding pattern. The delay followed an emergency landing by another aircraft that left runway 28 temporarily unavailable. While holding, the flight crew advised NorCal Approach that the aircraft would reach minimum fuel status by 03:45 UTC. The pilots clearly communicated that continued holding beyond that time would not be possible, requesting priority for an approach once the runway situation allowed. The declaration aligned with standard aviation procedures, signaling urgency without constituting a fuel emergency. ATC Coordination and Runway Clearance NorCal Approach acknowledged the minimum fuel advisory and coordinated a plan for runway 28 operations. Once the runway environment stabilized, the aircraft was cleared to proceed toward San Francisco International Airport. Tower controllers managed spacing carefully due to traffic congestion and the presence of heavy aircraft ahead. Controllers instructed preceding traffic to maintain speed to ensure the British Airways A380 could continue its approach without further delay. This coordination reduced additional fuel burn and preserved safe separation. Visual Approach and Safe Landing on Runway 28L The Airbus A380 was cleared for a visual approach to runway 28L. Despite minor speed adjustments during final sequencing, the aircraft maintained a stable approach profile. The flight landed safely at approximately 03:55 UTC with minimum fuel remaining. After touchdown, the aircraft exited the runway without issue and taxied to the gate as instructed by ground control. No injuries or aircraft damage were reported, and normal airport operations resumed shortly after. ATC and Pilot Comms Here’s a detailed transcription of the conversation between British Airways pilots and San Francisco ATC as flagged by YouCanSeeATC and recorded by LiveATC.net: Speedbird 28K: NorCal, Speedbird 28K, for your information, we will be minimum fuel in about four to five minutes. Ideally, we would like to take the approach after LOSSET, but four to five minutes is our limit. ATC: Speedbird 28K, understood. Speedbird 28K: We are hearing traffic heading in now, assuming it is San Francisco-related. We are standing by. ATC: Speedbird 28K, roger. ATC: Speedbird 28K, confirming you are expecting runway 28. Be advised, runway 28R will be closed for a while. Speedbird 28K: Negative, we can accept 28L, no issue. Speedbird 28K. ATC: Speedbird 28K, cleared to San Francisco Airport via LOSSET on the Big Sur Four arrival. Maintain One One thousand. Speedbird 28K: Cleared San Francisco via LOSSET, Big Sur Four, maintain one one thousand. Speedbird 28K, thank you. ATC: Speedbird 28K, contact NorCal Approach on 133.95. Speedbird 28K: 133.95, Speedbird 28K, thanks for the help. NorCal Approach: Speedbird 28K, fly heading 310, maintain one eight zero knots or greater. Speedbird 28K: Left heading 310, maintaining one eight zero knots. Speedbird 28K. Tower Frequency Tower: N208Q, San Francisco Tower, runway 28L, cleared to land. Wind calm. You are following a heavy Airbus. N208Q: Cleared to land 28L, we have the heavy in sight. N208Q. Approach: Speedbird 28K, Super, fly heading 300. Cleared visual approach runway 28L. Speedbird 28K: Heading 300, cleared visual 28L. Speedbird 28K. Tower to N208Q: N208Q, I know you are following a heavy. If able, keep your speed up. There is a Super behind you with minimal fuel. N208Q: Roger, we will keep the speed up as best we can. N208Q. Approach: Speedbird 28K, Super, reduce speed to one seven zero knots or less. Contact San Francisco Tower. Speedbird 28K: One seven zero knots or less. Switching Tower. Speedbird 28K. Tower: Speedbird 28K, Super, San Francisco Tower. Wind calm. Runway 28L, cleared to land. Speedbird 28K: Cleared to land runway 28L. Speedbird 28K. Tower: Speedbird 28K, if able, reduce speed slightly. You are overtaking traffic ahead. Speedbird 28K: We are managing speed carefully due to fuel, but we will reduce as able. Speedbird 28K. Tower: Speedbird 28K, Super, turn left when able. Join Bravo, then taxi to point eight. Good evening. Speedbird 28K: Left turn, join Bravo to point eight. Speedbird 28K, thank you. Bottom Line Minimum fuel declarations are procedural alerts that allow air traffic control to prioritize an aircraft without triggering emergency protocols. This event highlights effective communication between flight crews and controllers during high traffic conditions at major international airports. The safe outcome underscores the importance of clear fuel status reporting, timely ATC coordination, and disciplined arrival management, particularly for large aircraft operating at peak capacity airports. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/01/26/british-airways-pilots-declares-minimum-fuel-on-approach-to-sfo/ Korean Air to ban in-flight use of portable batteries Korean Air will ban the use of portable batteries on board starting Monday. Courtesy of Korean Air Korean Air and four other airlines under Hanjin Group will ban the in-flight use of portable batteries starting Monday, as part of its preemptive move to prevent fire accidents caused by lithium-ion power banks, the airline said Friday. Under the updated safety policy, passengers will not be allowed to use portable battery packs while on board any flight operated by not just Korean Air, but Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul. The power banks can be carried into the cabin, but their use and charging are strictly prohibited. Passengers also must cover metal charging ports with electrical tape or place each battery in a separate plastic bag or pouch to prevent possible short-circuiting. Starting next week, all batteries should also be kept in the seatback pocket or under the seat in front, never stored in the overhead bins, according to the new safety rule. “The ban on the in-flight use of power banks is a necessary measure to ensure the highest standards of flight safety, and passenger cooperation is essential,” a Korean Air official said. “Korea Air remains fully committed to providing a safe, secure and comfortable travel experience for all customers.” The latest decision came amid growing safety concerns over portable batteries amid continuous reports of in-flight fires caused by power banks. In January last year, a passenger jet from Air Busan caught fire before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in the southern city of Busan. A battery pack placed in the cabin’s overhead bin was identified as the cause of the accident. The global aviation industry has been strengthening cabin regulations on power banks to ensure flight safety. Earlier, Korean Air and other Hanjin Group airlines implemented fire-prevention measures in line with policies by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. They included providing insulation tape to prevent short-circuiting at check-in counters and boarding gates. Other measures included the attachment of temperature-sensitive stickers to overhead bins for quicker detection of overheating. Cabin crew also underwent special drills on power bank fire scenarios, developing a swifter response to potential in-flight fires. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260123/korean-air-to-ban-in-flight-use-of-portable-batteries Embraer plans production boost after surge in jet orders Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is preparing to significantly increase jet production after a sharp rise in global demand for its regional aircraft, according to the company’s top commercial executive. Embraer aims to restore annual deliveries to around 100 commercial jets within the next two years — a nearly 30% increase compared with last year’s output of 78 aircraft. The target would return production to pre-pandemic levels, with further growth likely if current demand remains strong, News.Az reports, citing Reuters. “The first goal is to get back to 100 deliveries, but with the demand we see and recent sales results, we may have to go beyond that,” said Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, in comments ahead of the Airline Economics conference in Dublin. The company recorded a major sales breakthrough in 2025, with its E2 jet series outperforming Airbus’s A220 by a ratio of three to one. Embraer secured 131 net E2 orders, including major deals with All Nippon Airways and LATAM, marking a significant gain in the competitive regional jet market. Despite geopolitical uncertainty, Meijer said airline demand remains resilient as carriers continue replacing fleets that were kept in service longer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that Embraer does not currently see signs of weakening demand. Supply chain disruptions that previously slowed aircraft production are also easing. Meijer stated that shortages involving engines and aerostructures are improving, and that U.S. engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has largely overcome maintenance bottlenecks affecting Embraer’s E2 program. The number of Embraer aircraft grounded due to engine maintenance delays has dropped to single digits, with expectations that the issue will be fully resolved by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Embraer is taking a cautious approach to launching a next-generation aircraft platform. Rather than rushing into a new jet program, the company is focusing on advancing technologies that could support future designs. “A new platform is a major decision. We are looking at all options and will move carefully,” Meijer said. Reports also suggest Embraer may soon announce an agreement to assemble aircraft in India, though the company declined to comment on ongoing negotiations. With orders rising and production stabilizing, Embraer appears positioned for a new phase of growth in the global regional aviation market. https://news.az/news/embraer-plans-production-boost-after-surge-in-jet-orders Airbus Warns US-China Trade War is Hurting Aircraft Production Airbus warns trade tensions are delaying engines, pressuring cash flow, and threatening narrowbody production growth TOLOUSE- Airbus has warned that escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are already causing tangible harm to its industrial operations and financial performance. Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury told employees that the current geopolitical climate represents an unprecedented crisis for the aerospace sector. The warning was issued as Airbus manages production across a complex global footprint that includes major facilities in Toulouse and Tianjin. Faury stressed that the company must rely on internal strength, operational discipline, and supply-chain resilience to navigate the ongoing disruption. US-China Trade War Impact on Airbus Faury described the US-China trade war as no longer theoretical, stating that logistical delays and financial strain have already materialized across Airbus programs. Export restrictions, licensing controls, and protectionist policies have disrupted the movement of engines, avionics, and other critical aircraft components. Airbus assembles aircraft in China, which exposes final production lines to any interruption in cross-border parts flows. A single delayed or blocked subcomponent can halt deliveries, increase costs, and force costly rescheduling across multiple assembly sites. The CEO emphasized that these challenges demand solidarity across Airbus teams while reinforcing the need for self-reliance. He urged employees to remain adaptable as geopolitical decisions increasingly influence factory-level outcomes. Airbus Warns US-China Trade War is Hurting Aircraft Production Airbus continues to face strain across its supply chain as it works to stabilize production and increase output of its A320-family aircraft. The manufacturer has encountered persistent delays in engine deliveries from suppliers, which have already affected delivery schedules. Quality-related setbacks have also complicated execution, including software issues and flawed fuselage panels that prompted delivery adjustments. According to Simple Flying, while Airbus achieved solid results in 2025, Faury acknowledged that execution discipline must improve to protect long-term competitiveness. The company is pursuing supplier diversification and greater flexibility in production planning to reduce exposure to future shocks. These measures are critical as Airbus prepares for its next narrowbody development cycle. Trade friction directly affects Airbus’ cash flow by delaying aircraft handovers, which determine when payments are received. Although Airbus delivered 793 aircraft in 2025, up from 766 the previous year, deliveries were backloaded due to engine supply constraints. Late deliveries inflate inventory levels and increase working capital requirements. Management has acknowledged that these factors weighed on free cash flow before customer financing effects were included. Further export-control disruptions could intensify financial pressure by forcing additional production re-planning. Airbus remains cautious as it balances investment needs with the requirement to maintain delivery reliability. Bottom Line Airbus faces mounting pressure as US-China trade tensions collide with an already strained aerospace supply chain. While leadership remains confident in the company’s ability to adapt, sustained self-reliance and execution discipline will be critical to protecting margins and funding future aircraft programs. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/01/26/airbus-warns-us-china-trade-war-hurting-aircraft-production/ Aviation Fatalities Hit 7-Year High In 2025, Per Aviation Safety Network The New Year is roaring on, but so far there has been little comment on the increase in the deaths of airline passengers in 2025. According to data from the Aviation Safety Network (ASN) Safety Database, 548 people died in aircraft accidents in 2025, the most in seven years. The 548 deaths in 2025 represent a more than 30% increase over 2024, when 404 aviation fatalities occurred. And according to the database, the 2025 fatality total was the highest death total since 2018, when 962 people died. That year included the first Boeing 737 MAX accident, a Lion Air aircraft that crashed off Indonesia, killing 189. One positive the Safety Database showed was a decline in the number of total incidents from 2024 to 2025. In 2024, there were 219 accidents, but in 2025, only 156 were recorded. As is often the case, two accidents accounted for more than half of the flight fatalities last year. On January 29, 2025, a Bombardier CRJ-701ER regional jetliner operated by American Eagle collided with a Sikorsky UH-60L helicopter operated by the US Army. The collision took place near Washington-Ronald Reagan National Airport. All 64 passengers and crew on board the CRJ-701ER were killed, as was the helicopter crew of three. This week, the National Transportation Safety Board will release more information on the causes of the crash. The FAA has already made changes to try to ensure that military helicopters and civilian airliners do not share the same airspace. On June 2, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. Some 241 people on board the widebody jet died, as did 19 on the ground. The Air India crash was the deadliest in almost 11 years, since the shoot down of a Malaysian Airlines jet in 2014 killing 298. The 327 fatalities in the Washington, DC and Indian accidents represented about 60% of aviation deaths in 2025. Captain John Cox notes that the safety statistics for 2025 are “skewed because of the loss of a widebody aircraft.” Cox, a former Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 pilot with over 10,000 hours and the president and CEO of Safety Operating Systems LLC, has worked as an accident investigator for over 30 years. He says there don’t seem to be any common factors in 2025’s accidents, whether aircraft handling issues, weather, mechanical failure or hostile attacks. “Repetitive accidents are the ones that drive us crazy.” Even during the so-called Golden Years of travel, the 1950’s, known problems such as propellor and engine control in the Boeing Stratocruiser caused repeated crashes. Now, the airline industry is on track to report a record 5.2 billon passengers worldwide, a 6.7% increase from 2024. In November 2025, load factors reached a new record load factor of 83.7% according to Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. And while the passenger count hit a record , the death toll in 2025 is lower than most recent years tracked by ASN, such the 962 fatalities in 2018 or the 1214 deaths in 2014. MALAYSIA-AVIATION-ACCIDENT-MH370 Map outlining the main locations relating to the 2014 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Graphic That year included the disappearance on March 8, 2014, of a Malaysia Airlines 777 “within the Indian Ocean,” killing 239. And on July 17, 2014, another Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 was destroyed above Hrabove in Eastern Ukraine by a Russian Buk missile, killing 298. Cox says that over time safety has been constantly improved and the number of accidents has gone. He notes that the original Wright flyer credited with the first powered flight in 1903 was essentially destroyed after four flights. Cox learned to fly in 1970. “If we had maintained the same accident rate as in 1970, there would have been 70,000 additional fatalities from 1970 to today.” One of the most controversial accidents last year was the mid-air crash over the Potomac between a regional airliner heading into Reagan National and a U.S. Army helicopter from a nearby base. Asked “Was DC an accident waiting to happen?” Cox, who flew into and out of Reagan Airport many times, says, “Having helicopters near you was common. All the helicopter pilots knew they had to pass behind the jet. That procedure can be run safely, although there were some close encounters. Hard to say categorically its unsafe.” When an accident does occur, many are frustrated as it can take a year or more for it to be fully investigated and a cause assigned. US-AVIATION-ACCIDENT Departures and arrivals information screens in Reagan National Airport display emergency instructions after a plane crashed into the Potomac River outside Washington, DC, January 30, 2025. A regional jet from Kansas crashed into Washington's Potomac River after colliding mid-air with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport, officials said January 29, prompting a major emergency response and grounding all flights. But Cox notes that it can take years for an investigation to be successfully completed. In September 1994, a Boeing 737-300 flying from Chicago O’Hare was scheduled to land in Pittsburgh. Instead, the plane plunged to the ground near Hopewell, PA, killing 132. The investigation of the fatal crash of US Air Flight 427, which Cox worked on, took four and a half years and was the longest accident investigation in history. As Cox puts it, “We couldn’t get the [rudder control] unit to fail.” Yet the team knew a United 737 had a similar tragic accident in 1991. After testing the rudder control thousands of times and hearing reports from flight crew of another 737 that survived a similar issue, the failed part was identified. The rudder controls on all 737 aircraft were redesigned and modified. Although denied so far by investigators, the Air India Dreamliner crash brings up the specter of “suicide by pilot.” The evidence suggests that the fuel switches for both engines were turned off just after takeoff. Cox says, “It’s a positive lock. You have to move that switch over a gate. A human moved that switch—we don’t know why.” A number of the so-called suicide by pilot cases have been investigated or suspected, including the infamous 2014 disappearance of Malaysian Airlines MH370 and the 239 people on board. German investigators concluded that the Eurowings airline disaster in 2015 was caused by the co-pilot locking out the pilot and deliberately crashing into the French Alps, killing 150. More recently, investigators believe that China Eastern Flight 5735, which plunged to earth in 2022 killing 132, was destroyed in an intentional crash. However, China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) refused to release investigation reports in 2025, claiming that "disclosure may endanger national security and societal stability." FRANKFURT, GERMANY - MARCH 14: In this photo , co-pilot of Germanwings flight 4U9525 Andreas Lubitz participates in the Frankfurt City Half-Marathon on March 14, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany. Lubitz is suspected of having deliberately piloted Germanwings flight 4U 9525 into a mountain in southern France on March 24, 2015 and killing all 150 people on board, including himself, in the worst air disaster in Europe in recent history. With the Air India crash, Cox says that the “fuel switches moved from run to cutoff and moved back to run—is an absolute fact.” The fuel switches were designed to make an accidental shut-off extremely difficult. Cox says, “In half a billion flight hours, I could not find an incident of it happening.” He believes that the fuel shut off was either “deliberate action by a pilot or accidental action by a pilot.” If the Air India crash is eventually proven to be suicide by pilot, Cox says, “It’s beyond me how someone who trains for years to protect the passengers can do this.” Cox believes Indian safety officials are doing a thorough job of investigating the accident. Still, pilots are subject to the same pressures and temptations as the rest of us. In November 2025, former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson was sentenced to time served and three years’ probation for trying to shut off the engines on an Horizon flight. He was flying as a passenger while high on magic mushrooms. “Proficiency for professional pilots is very high,” says Cox. He notes that pilots have to get medical exams every six months. Commercial pilots also get check rides with supervising pilots every six months. Cox says, “They pile it on, medical emergency, turbulence, you name it, to puts you under stress deliberately.” Cox believes airlines are more of the most regulated and safest industries in the world. “If you look at the broader picture, 2025 was an average year for aviation with one fatal accident per 7 million flights, out of 35 million flights. The number of accidents ticked up, but only to the average of the preceding ten years.” “The most dangerous part of flying is the drive to the airport,” Cox says. “Still, one death is too many. We never get good enough.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2026/01/26/aviation-fatalities-hit-7-year-high-in-2025-aviation-safety-network/ Philippine Airlines secures financing for five A350-1000s Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) has secured a financing facility covering pre-delivery payments for five A350-1000s with Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, the global investment banking arm of France's Groupe BPCE. Natixis said the facility was structured to support the airline's capital expenditure requirements for the widebody assets, as part of its long-haul fleet modernisation. The specific value of the financing was not disclosed, however. The five aircraft are part of a firm order for nine A350-1000s placed in June 2023. As previously reported by ch-aviation, the carrier has already arranged financing for two other units from this order via a sale-and-leaseback transaction with BOC Aviation. Philippine Airlines formally unveiled its first delivered A350-1000 on January 17, 2026, although the aircraft had already entered service on December 29, 2025. The 382-seat, Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered fleet is intended to be deployed on transpacific routes to the US East Coast and Canada. The carrier's existing widebody fleet also includes two A350-900s, ten B777-300ERs, and eleven A330-300s, ch-aviation fleets data shows. Combined with regional subsidiary PAL Express, the group also operates a narrowbody fleet comprising seventeen A320-200s, twenty-two A321-200, six A321-200Ns, two A321-200NX, and eleven DHC-8-Q400s. https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/163064-philippine-airlines-secures-financing-for-five-a350-1000s 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 . World Aviation Training Summit - 5-7 May 2026 - Orlando . 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