Flight Safety Information - February 06, 2026 No. 027 In This Issue : Incident: SAS A20N at Brussels on Feb 5th 2026, attempted takeoff from taxiway : Incident: Delta A320 at San Antonio on Feb 3rd 2026, engine fire indication : Aviation safety: Half of the passenger aircraft in India have had repeated defects : Russia identifies safety breaches across 480 aircraft in inspections : Passenger plane aborts takeoff at Brussels Airport after taxiway error, 165 evacuated : LATAM expands AeroSHARK retrofit for entire B777-300ER fleet : India is reportedly ‘ready’ to buy up to $80 billion in Boeing aircraft following trade deal with U.S. : Saudia is said to weigh major jet order as Saudi tourism push accelerates : 'Disruptive customer' forces American Airlines flight to turn around : POSITION AVAILABLE: Assistant/Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science : Calendar of Events Incident: SAS A20N at Brussels on Feb 5th 2026, attempted takeoff from taxiway A SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration SE-ROM performing flight SK-2590 from Brussels (Belgium) to Copenhagen (Denmark) with 165 people on board, was taxiing along the outer taxiway (Out-10) and was cleared for takeoff from runway 07R however lined up parallel taxiway E1, short of the runway, and started their takeoff roll on the taxiway along taxiways E1-F2-V1 at 22:03L (21:03Z). The crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 100 knots over ground) - just about at where taxiway V1 gets narrower - and managed to stop the aircraft at the intersection of taxiways V1/C1 just before running beyond the end of the taxiway. The passengers disembarked onto the taxiway and were bussed to the terminal. The flight was cancelled. The airport reported the aircraft commenced takeoff on the parallel taxiway instead of the runway and rejected takeoff. The aircraft stopped just short of the airport's fuel tanks. Emergency services responded, the passengers disembarked and were bussed to the terminal. There were no injuries. The passengers were rebooked onto other flights. An investigation has been opened. The airline is cooperating with the investigation into the taxiway incident. https://avherald.com/h?article=5345bfac&opt=0 Incident: Delta A320 at San Antonio on Feb 3rd 2026, engine fire indication A Delta Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration N356NW performing flight DL-1676 from San Antonio,TX to Atlanta,GA (USA) with 143 people on board, was climbing out of San Antonio's runway 22 when the crew declared Mayday reporting an engine #2 (CFM56) fire indication, the engine was not shut down but reduced to idle, they wanted to return to San Antonio. The aircraft landed safely on San Antonio's runway 22 about 25 minutes after departure. The FAA reported: "Delta Air Lines Flight 1676 safely returned to San Antonio International Airport around 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 3, after the crew reported an engine issue. The Airbus A320 was headed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The FAA will investigate." The aircraft remained on the ground for about 26 hours, then positioned to Atlanta but has not yet returned to service about 21.5 hours after landing in Atlanta. https://avherald.com/h?article=534545b3&opt=0 Aviation safety: Half of the passenger aircraft in India have had repeated defects These were found during surveillance conducted by DGCA. On the regulatory front, there are about 2,645 vacancies across civil aviation offices and regulatory bodies Aviation safety: Half of the passenger aircraft in India have had repeated defects IndiGo and Air India have recently faced a series of aircraft groundings because of safety related issues. India’s aviation sector has seen strong growth in recent years, but aircraft maintenance has not kept pace with that growth. Surveillance by regulatory authorities since January last year has found repeated defects in half of India’s 754 aircraft across major domestic carriers. According to data provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the highest number of defects were found in Air India’s fleet, followed by Air India Express and IndiGo. The situation was similar even with SpiceJet and newcomer Akasa, as half their fleets were reported to have had repeated defects. https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/aviation-safety-half-of-the-passenger-aircraft-in-india-have-had-repeated-defects-514991-2026-02-06 Russia identifies safety breaches across 480 aircraft in inspections Why pressure is building in Russia to ignore safety regulations and falsify reporting in order to keep sanctioned-strained commercial aircraft flying. Russia’s State Aviation Supervision (Gosaviatnadzor) has reported a marked trend in mass-approving aircraft with technical malfunctions. It said between 2023 and 2025, over 480 aircraft were grounded for varying periods until identified violations were corrected. Russia finds 480 aircraft violated safety The statement was made by the head of State Aviation Supervision, Vladimir Kovalsky, at the “SLG 2.0: Updated Rules of the Game” session at the NAIS-2026 forum. 480 aircraft represent almost half of Russia’s 1,135-strong commercial fleet. Kovalsky said, “Any violation is unacceptable. But for some unscrupulous participants, the threshold of acceptability is lowering ever lower.” He explained the mentality is “Yes, we falsified it, but this work does not pose a threat to flight safety.” Kovalsky added, “Where does this lead? What level of degradation is this?” This is forcing the agency to tighten regulations and apply more serious measures to counter the most egregious violations. According to the Telegram channel Aviatorism, there is systematic authorisation of defective aircraft for flight, falsification of maintenance work, and violations during repairs. According to Russia’s Rosaviatsiya, there are 1,088 commercial aircraft in operation. The Moscow Times reports that inspections have found instances of modifications, upgrades, and structural repairs carried out in violation of requirements and without the involvement of authorised organisations. The publication adds, “The regulatory agency is particularly concerned about the practice of fictitious work.” Russia’s perfect storm of sanctions and war The Russian commercial aviation industry is currently facing a perfect storm of adverse factors, mostly brought on by sanctions and the war in Ukraine. This has forced Russia to pull old Tu-204s, Il-96s, and 747-400s out of retirement. Older aircraft types, like 747-400s, are simpler to maintain, and spare parts can be more easily sourced on the second-hand market from recycled aircraft. Up to a third of Russia’s civil fleet may need to retire over the next six years. Sanctions also mean Russia has been unable to produce its old domestic aircraft, as these grew extremely dependent on imported components. Russia is rushing to Russify these aircraft, but it takes time, is inefficient, and expensive. In 2022, Russia set a goal to deliver 1,000 commercial aircraft by 2030. By the end of 2026, none had been delivered except for a dozen Superjets, including those assembled with pre-stocked components and a single business jet-configured Tu-214. At the same time, the Russian civil industrial sector is in competition for limited resources with the Russian Air Force, which Moscow may prioritise due to the ongoing war. Russia has asked foreign airlines to lease aircraft for domestic flights, including Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopia declined, fearing US sanctions. Russia’s looming need to retire hundreds of aircraft Sanctions mean it is harder to maintain foreign-supplied aircraft like Airbus and Boeing. The problem is most acute in modern aircraft like the A320neo family, which is now mostly grounded in Russia. Many of Russia’s regional aircraft were built in the Soviet period and are now 50 years old and in desperate need of replacement. Something similar is true of its ageing civil helicopter fleet, with hundreds in need of retirement. A major risk is that as aircraft are withdrawn from use, they are cannibalised to keep an ever-shrinking fleet flying. As the fleet size contracts, the pressure to keep those aircraft flying increases, while the wear and tear accelerates. https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/russia-480-aircraft-safety-violations/ Passenger plane aborts takeoff at Brussels Airport after taxiway error, 165 evacuated Authorities launches investigation to determine whether crew or air traffic control realized error, which could have had fatal consequences A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) passenger aircraft aborted its takeoff at Brussels Airport after mistakenly attempting to depart from a taxiway instead of a runway, broadcaster VRT reported on Friday. The Airbus A320neo, carrying 165 passengers and scheduled to fly to Copenhagen at around 8.30 pm local time (1930 CEST) Thursday night, accelerated to speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour) before the takeoff was safely halted. No injuries were reported. "All indications show that the aircraft attempted to take off from a taxiway rather than the designated runway," said Brussels Airport spokesperson Ariane Goossens. Taxiways are used exclusively for moving aircraft between terminals and runways. The plane came to a stop near fuel storage tanks, prompting an immediate response from airport fire services and emergency teams. Passengers were evacuated as a precaution, while airport officials said the incident did not disrupt other flights and would not affect operations on Friday morning. Aviation expert Luc De Wilde described the incident as "highly unusual" and warned that it could have had fatal consequences. It remains unclear whether the cockpit crew realized the error themselves or were alerted by air traffic control. Belgian aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which is expected to take several weeks or months. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/passenger-plane-aborts-takeoff-at-brussels-airport-after-taxiway-error-165-evacuated/3822242 LATAM expands AeroSHARK retrofit for entire B777-300ER fleet LATAM Airlines Group, the first airline outside the Lufthansa Group to use AeroSHARK, has decided to expand the use of the drag-reduction technology developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik and BASF Coatings. The airline has extended its contract with Lufthansa Technik to include the delivery of five additional AeroSHARK shipsets. These will be used to retrofit the remaining aircraft in LATAM’s fleet of ten Boeing 777-300ERs. By the end of 2025, five aircraft were already operating with AeroSHARK installed, and the final modification is expected to be completed in 2027. LATAM was among the earliest adopters of AeroSHARK. Its first aircraft was modified in December 2023 without public announcement in order to test the technology in real airline operations. After almost one year of day-to-day use, the aircraft confirmed the expected reduction of around one percent in fuel consumption and emissions. Following this validation, LATAM ordered four additional shipsets in 2024. AeroSHARK is a functional surface film that replicates the flow-optimised structure of sharkskin. It features small longitudinal protrusions measuring about 50 micrometres, so-called riblets, which are precisely aligned with the airflow. In the current expansion stage, these riblets cover almost the entire fuselage and engine nacelles of the Boeing 777, around 950 m² on its -300ER variant. Once LATAM’s entire Boeing 777 fleet is modified in this way, the proven one per cent drag reduction will enable the airline to achieve annual savings of up to 4,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel and 12,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This is equivalent to around 56 scheduled flights from São Paulo to Miami on a Boeing 777. With the new order, LATAM’s total AeroSHARK purchase reaches ten shipsets, matching its full 777-300ER subfleet. Once all aircraft are modified in 2027, LATAM is expected to become the second airline worldwide to operate an entire subfleet equipped with AeroSHARK. https://avitrader.com/2026/02/06/latam-expands-aeroshark-retrofit-for-entire-b777-300er-fleet/ India is reportedly ‘ready’ to buy up to $80 billion in Boeing aircraft following trade deal with U.S. New Delhi is ready to place orders worth up to $80 billion for Boeing planes, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reportedly said, signaling New Delhi’s willingness to expand trade with the U.S. India’s demand for aircraft alone, with orders for Boeing “yet to be placed but ready,” is nearly $80 billion, Goyal said on Thursday, adding that if engines and other spare parts are added, imports from U.S. will “cross 100 billion dollars just [from] aircrafts.” Families of passengers who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad in June last year are suing Boeing, over the alleged role of defective dual switches in the disaster that saw 241 of the 242 the minister said on board lose their lives. The minister also said that there was potential to procure a minimum of $500 billion worth of goods from the U.S. over the next five years, but clarified that there was no explicit investment commitment made as part of the trade deal with Washington. On Monday, within a week of the India-EU trade deal, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a social media post that Washington and New Delhi had agreed a trade deal. Trump said that the U.S. will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, while New Delhi will lower duties on U.S. goods to zero, replace Russian oil with supply from U.S. and Venezuela, open sensitive markets such as agriculture and buy $500 billion worth of American goods. The Indian Prime minister expressed delight over cut in duties, as goods from the country entering U.S. have been subjected to 50% in tariffs, but did not acknowledge any other details shared by Trump. U.S.-India agreement is not a trade deal, but a framework prone to changes While experts agree that India will buy more from the U.S., they have said the target of buying goods worth $500 billion from Washington “seems a stretch.” India’s overall goods imports stood at $720.24 billion in financial year 2025, with its trade deficit at $94.3 billion. That includes goods worth $45.3 billion from the U.S. Deal timeline India and the U.S. will sign a joint statement in the next 3-4 days, finalizing the first tranche of the trade deal between the two countries, Goyal said on Thursday. The 18% tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. will become effective after the joint statement is issued, he added. Two sides will then sign a formal agreement in mid-March, after which the tariff concession for U.S. goods entering India will become effective. Since the deal has been announced, the Indian government has been scant with details and is facing questions from opposition political parties. The leader of India’s opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has accused Modi of being “compromised” and of having “surrendered on Tariffs. The Indian government has not confirmed some of Trump’s claims about the trade deal such as India reducing duties on U.S. goods to zero and halting imports of Russian oil, as well as a firm commitment to purchasing goods worth $500 billion. Experts say Trump’s claims seem “unrealistic” and risk the U.S. backtracking on the trade deal, citing his threats to raise tariffs on South Korea, after slashing them in July last year, despite a trade deal. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/india-buy-boeing-aircrafts-80-billion-trade-us-deal.html Saudia is said to weigh major jet order as Saudi tourism push accelerates Saudi Arabia’s national airline is holding early discussions with Boeing (BA) and Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY) about a potential aircraft order that could be the largest in its history, as the kingdom ramps up investment to expand travel and tourism. Saudia is evaluating a purchase of at least 150 aircraft, spanning both narrowbody and widebody models, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the talks. The airline has not yet settled on specific aircraft types or final quantities, and the discussions remain at a preliminary stage. Any deal would allow the carrier to replace older jets while also expanding its fleet, which currently numbers about 200 aircraft. There is no certainty the negotiations will lead to an agreement. The airline has made sizable purchases in recent years, ordering more than 100 Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY) narrowbody jets in 2024 and committing to dozens of Boeing (BA) 787 Dreamliners the year before, with additional options. Under Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, state-owned Saudia is expected to concentrate more heavily on religious travel, while new entrant Riyadh Air is positioned as a premium carrier aimed at international tourists. Saudia has also refreshed its leadership, pursued high-profile partnerships and invested in onboard upgrades, including plans to introduce Starlink internet service on select aircraft. https://seekingalpha.com/news/4548055-saudia-is-said-to-weigh-major-jet-order-as-saudi-tourism-push-accelerates 'Disruptive customer' forces American Airlines flight to turn around The passenger was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. Portrait of Nathan DillerNathan Diller What happened to the disruptive passenger on AA Flight 2259? What happened to the disruptive passenger on AA Flight 2259? How have FAA unruly passenger reports changed recently? How many U.S. flights were canceled due to winter storms? An unruly passenger forced an American Airlines flight from Miami to Ecuador to turn around mid-trip. Flight 2259 to Quito “returned to MIA and was met by law enforcement upon arrival due to a disruptive customer,” on Jan. 31, the airline told USA TODAY. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance in managing a difficult situation,” the emailed statement continued. The 8:12 p.m. flight turned around as it was passing over Cuba, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware, landing back in Miami shortly before 10 p.m. American did not share specifics about the passenger’s behavior. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office "responded to reports of a passenger in mental crisis," police said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. "Upon arrival, the aircraft was safely deplaned and the individual, an adult male, was taken into custody," the statement said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the flyer to a local hospital where he was detained for mental health evaluation. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! The Federal Aviation Administration has received 126 unruly passenger reports so far this year, according to its website. The agency received 1,621 in 2025, and 2,096 the year before. “The rate of unruly passenger incidents steadily dropped by over 80 percent since record highs in early 2021, but recent increases show there remains more work to do,” the FAA said. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2026/02/05/american-airlines-flight-turns-around-unruly-passenger/88534932007/ POSITION AVAILABLE: Assistant/Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science Job Description Discover Your Future with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University! Embry-Riddle: A Global Leader in Aviation and Aerospace With vibrant campuses in Daytona Beach, FL and Prescott, AZ, plus a Worldwide network across approximately 120 locations, Embry-Riddle stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university. For over 95 years, we've been pioneering education in STEM fields, serving over 11,600 residential students and 19,200 globally in the 2023-24 academic year with cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space. Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle! • Generous Time Off: Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. • Health Benefits: Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your health—because your journey to wellness should be rewarding! Buckle up for a healthier, happier you! • Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26. • Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period. • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University recognizes the value of diversity and is dedicated to fostering a positive climate in which all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged in their professional, social, and intellectual pursuits. Embry-Riddle is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action for qualified individuals. The University does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Opportunity: Join the Aviation and Aerospace vanguard! Step into a dynamic role with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where innovation meets opportunity. Be part of a leading institution that’s at the forefront of aviation, aerospace, and STEM education. We offer an exciting environment, cutting-edge projects, and the chance to influence tomorrow. Ready to make a difference? Take flight with Embry-Riddle and explore this diverse career opportunity today. The College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona invites applications for a non-tenure track position in the Aeronautical Science Department starting in August 2025 at the Assistant/Associate Professor level in support of our Aeronautical Science degree. Aeronautical Science teaching assignments may include, but not be limited to, jet transport systems, turbine engine operations, electronic flight management systems, flight technique analysis, airline operations and domestic & international navigation. The candidate must have experience in airline or corporate flight operations or appropriate military experience. Applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to teach and develop courses across all levels of undergraduate aviation education. Successful faculty candidates will have a strong commitment to undergraduate education both in the classroom and through experiential learning opportunities. The Aeronautical Science program at ERAU Prescott is AABI accredited and nationally recognized for its aviation programs. The department has 19 full time faculty in the areas of jet transport systems, airline operations, turbine engine operations, electronic flight management systems, flight technique analysis, airline operations, domestic & international navigation, capstone research classes and flight education. Aeronautical Science is the largest degree program on campus with over 1000 undergraduate students. The department has a strong focus on hands-on educational methods and emphasizes practical skills students will need after graduation. The Aeronautical Science faculty are committed to providing an inclusive and collegial work environment. Qualifications • Candidate must hold a Master’s Degree, preferably in an aviation-related field but candidates with significant industry experience and a master’s degree are strongly encouraged to apply. • Demonstrated ability to teach, preferably in collegiate or Part 121/141 training programs. • Demonstrated ability to mentor students or colleagues through the research and writing process. • Strong verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated potential for scholarly activity. Application material should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, teaching philosophy, and contact information for three professional references. Materials may be submitted in electronic form through careers.erau.edu. Screening of applications will start upon receipt and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be submitted via email to the Aeronautical Science Department Chair, Stacey McIntire MCINTIS1@erau.edu CALENDAR OF EVENTS . VERTICON 2026 - Atlanta March 9-12 . CANSO Global Safety Conference 2026 - 29 March – 1 April 2026 (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) . 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