Flight Safety Information - February 26, 2026 No. 041 In This Issue : Beechcraft 200 Super King Air - Ground Damage/Rejected Takeoff (Australia) : Former US F-35 fighter pilot arrested for training Chinese air force : Airline Sues 2 Pilots After They Allegedly Hacked Computer System to Gain Coworkers' Personal Information : Arizona is Top 5 in laser strikes on pilots, despite nationwide drop : Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash Sparks Big Questions Over India’s Air Safety : Philippines identifies US military plane that hit road barrier, injuring 5 crew members : Alaska Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Cincinnati after bloody, devastating bird strike: report : China to buy up to 120 Airbus aircraft, Germany's Merz says during Beijing visit : Calendar of Events Beechcraft 200 Super King Air - Ground Damage/Rejected Takeoff (Australia) ' Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026 Time: 12:11 Type: Beechcraft 200 Super King Air Owner/operator: RFDS Australia Registration: MSN: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Category: Incident Location: Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, QLD (WTB/YBWW) - Australia Phase: Take off Nature: Ambulance Departure airport: Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, QLD (WTB/YBWW) Destination airport: Bundaberg Airport, QLD (BDB/YBUD) Investigating agency: ATSB Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities Narrative: During take-off, the crew misaligned the aircraft on the runway and struck a turning node light. The crew rejected the take-off and the aircraft sustained minor damage. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/567353 Former US F-35 fighter pilot arrested for training Chinese air force US Justice Department accuses former Air Force officer Gerald Brown of training Chinese military pilots. US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber flies with Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft in the US Southern Command area of responsibility in 2025 [Handout: US Air Force via AP Photo] A former United States Air Force officer and “elite fighter pilot” has been arrested and accused of betraying his country for illegally providing training to Chinese military pilots. The US Department of Justice said ex-Air Force Major Gerald Brown, once known by his pilot’s call sign “Runner”, was arrested on Wednesday in Indiana and charged with a criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide defence services to Chinese pilots without authorisation. Brown, 65, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience in the Air Force, “allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect”, Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director at the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, said in a statement. “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernise China’s military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning,” Rozhavsky said. US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia said Brown “and anyone conspiring against our Nation” will be held accountable for their actions. According to the Justice Department, Brown served in the US Air Force for 24 years, had led combat missions and was responsible for commanding “sensitive units”, including those involved in nuclear weapons delivery systems. After leaving the US military in 1996, Brown worked as a commercial cargo pilot before working as a defence contractor training US pilots to fly F-35 and A-10 warplanes. Brown is alleged to have travelled to China in December 2023 to begin his work training Chinese pilots, and he remained in the country until returning to the US in early February 2026. His contract to train Chinese pilots was negotiated by Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who in 2016 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison for conspiring to hack a defence contractor in the US to steal military secrets for China, according to the Justice Department. The department said Brown faces charges similar to those levelled against former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan, who was arrested in Australia in 2022 and is currently fighting his extradition back to the US, where he faces prosecution for violating the US Arms Export Control Act for providing pilot training to the Chinese armed forces. Duggan appeared in an Australian court in October 2025 to appeal against his extradition, which was approved in December 2024 by Australia’s then Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. Duggan, 57, a naturalised Australian citizen, was arrested by Australian police in 2022 shortly after returning from China, where he had lived since 2014. According to the Reuters news agency. Duggan’s lawyer, Christopher Parkin, told the court that his client’s extradition to the US was “uncharted territory” for Australia. He argued that his client’s conduct was not an offence in Australia at the time or when the US requested extradition, and so did not meet the requirement for dual criminality in Australia’s extradition treaty with the US. The governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US published a notice in 2024 warning current and former members of their armed forces that China was seeking to recruit them and other NATO military personnel in order to harness Western military expertise and bolster its own capabilities. “The insight the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] gains from Western military talent threatens the safety of the targeted recruits, their fellow service members, and US and allied security,” the notice stated. “Those providing unauthorized training or expertise services to a foreign military can face civil and criminal penalties,” it added. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/26/former-us-f-35-fighter-pilot-arrested-for-training-chinese-air-force Airline Sues 2 Pilots After They Allegedly Hacked Computer System to Gain Coworkers' Personal Information Former SkyWest pilots Daniel Moussaron and Vikaas Krithivas claim they were accessing the information to organize a pilots union SkyWest Airlines is accusing two former pilots of accessing confidential employee records without authorization The lawsuit claims the pilots obtained addresses and personal phone numbers for thousands of coworkers The defendants claim they were working to collect the data in an effort to unionize SkyWest pilots A regional airline is suing two of its former pilots after they allegedly gained unauthorized access to thousands of confidential employee records. SkyWest Airlines — one of the largest regional airlines in North America, operating flights on behalf of American, Delta, United and Alaska Airlines — filed a civil complaint against two of its former pilots on Jan. 30 in the U.S. District Court of Utah. In it, they accuse Minnesota resident Daniel Moussaron and Illinois resident Vikaas Krithivas of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”), breach of contract and civil conspiracy. According to the complaint, SkyWest IT logs from Aug. 29, 2025, reportedly show that Moussaron “initiated a series of unauthorized activities to obtain pilot employee data,” including home address and personal phone numbers from the company’s SkyWest Online (SWOL) portal. The suit claims he obtained the contact information for two separate pilots during his initial session. The following day, Moussaron allegedly accessed data for 18 different pilots, “starting with the first pilot on the seniority list and progressing down the list sequentially.” Over the next three months, the employee returned to SWOL on at least eight more occasions to access and download data for a total of 365 pilots, per the complaint. Meanwhile, Krithivas was allegedly also pulling data from the SWOL directory and began on Sept. 3, 2025. That day, they claim Krithivas accessed and downloaded 4,970 pilots’ personnel records, including addresses and phone numbers. The complaint accuses the men of working together on the data scraping, “handing off between themselves and resuming where the other left off without skipping any pilots.” In December 2025, the suit claims SkyWest pilots began receiving mass messages on their personal cell phones “unrelated to legitimate SkyWest business operations.” The company believes, per the complaint, that the defendants used the personal information they gathered to distribute those messages. A month later, SkyWest allegedly received a complaint from a company pilot, who said he received an unsolicited call to his personal phone promoting an “outside effort.” The employee allegedly claimed “we have some really smart people” who found a backdoor to the company directory. SkyWest alleges the employees violated their NDAs, which prohibited them from disclosing confidential information they may have had access to. They further allege the men violated the CFFA and committed civil conspiracy against the company. The company is demanding a trial by jury and is seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial. PEOPLE has reached out to SkyWest Airlines and its attorneys for comment. In a motion filed by Moussaron, the former pilot claims he began “organizing to form a labor union” in April 2025. He claims he was a member of the organizing committee working with the Air Line Pilots Association to organize SkyWest pilots. Moussaron claims that SWOL allows pilots to view “limited” information via the user interface, such as name, base, and supervisor, but not phone numbers or home addresses. However, Moussaron says by using “standard browser developer tools,” he was able to access additional information. “At no point did I ‘bypass’ or ‘circumvent’ any server-side access control, escalate privileges or access an administrator-only function,” Moussaron says in his motion. In Krithivas’ response, he claims he was contacted by Moussaron to help access the pilot directory, adding that “I believed Daniel Moussaron’s sole intent was to collect pilot contact information to facilitate a drive to unionize SkyWest pilots.” 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. Moussaron’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction on Feb. 20, arguing this matter is a “labor dispute.” Jonathan Thorne, an attorney for Moussaron, tells PEOPLE his client "did not bypass [SkyWest's] security measures or otherwise obtain unauthorized access to contact information." Instead, he claims "it was viewable using the credentials and authorizations SkyWest set for him." "The conduct that they've accused him of is union organizing activity that's protected under The Railway Labor Act. He didn't hack their system, there was no conspiracy here, he didn't use confidential information. SkyWest had an online directory that provided him access to employees' contact information that he used as part of union organizing efforts." PEOPLE has reached out to Krithivas’ attorneys, as well as the Air Line Pilots Association for comment. https://people.com/airline-sues-2-former-pilots-after-they-allegedly-hacked-computed-system-to-gain-coworkers-personal-information-11914327 Arizona is Top 5 in laser strikes on pilots, despite nationwide drop PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Fewer pilots are being hit with lasers across the country but it’s still a problem in Arizona The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that pilots reported just under 11,000 laser strikes last year, a 14% drop from 2024, but still too high. Arizona has the fifth-most in the country in laser strikes, with 574 in 2025, a slight increase from 550 in 2024. In the first month of 2026, Arizona had 42 reported incidents. A single flash can disrupt a cockpit in seconds, and pilots say it’s a serious threat. 10 injuries were reported nationwide in 2025, with 15 reported in 2024. The FAA said it conducted education and outreach with federal, state and local authorities throughout 2025 in areas that had a high number of laser strikes. “Laser strikes are decreasing, thanks to a strong pilot reporting culture that is providing the data we need for community engagement and work with local law enforcement,” said Ben Supko, acting associate administrator for the Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Organization at the FAA. “But even one laser strike is too many when pilots have hundreds of lives in their hands.” Shining a laser at a pilot can carry fines of up to $11,000, and suspects can face federal charges that carry up to five years in prison. FAA officials urge pilots to report incidents as soon as possible. States with the highest numbers of laser strikes in 2025 California - 1,309 Texas - 1,100 Florida - 654 Illinois - 620 Arizona - 574 Washington - 484 Tennessee - 431 Indiana - 370 New York - 369 Virginia - 353 https://www.azfamily.com/2026/02/26/arizona-is-top-5-laser-strikes-pilots-despite-nationwide-drop/ Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash Sparks Big Questions Over India’s Air Safety Back-to-back aviation incidents have raised serious concerns over air safety in India. A tragic air ambulance crash in Chatra claimed seven lives after the aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, went down in a dense forest while en route from Ranchi to Delhi. Hours later, a Pawan Hans helicopter made an emergency landing attempt near Port Blair and crashed into the sea, though all passengers were rescued safely. These incidents come close on the heels of a chartered aircraft mishap involving Ajit Pawar and revive memories of the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A recent RTI has further revealed significant staff shortages within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, particularly in critical safety and airworthiness divisions. While authorities maintain that passenger safety remains a top priority, these developments raise pressing questions about whether India’s aviation oversight can keep pace with rising risks. https://www.businesstoday.in/bt-tv/whats-hot/video/jharkhand-air-ambulance-crash-sparks-big-questions-over-indias-air-safety-517808-2026-02-25 Philippines identifies US military plane that hit road barrier, injuring 5 crew members The Philippine military has identified the U.S. military aircraft that crashed during a Tuesday roadway exercise as an Air Force C-146 Wolfhound special operations plane, an incident that injured five crew members. The short takeoff-and-landing aircraft struck a concrete barrier while attempting to depart from a roadway, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. Two service members were treated at a local medical facility, according to an unsigned email Thursday from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “One of the individuals has been discharged, while the other remains in medical care and is in stable condition,” the command said. The Wolfhound crashed during a joint roadway landing exercise in Laoac, Pangasinan, according to a Wednesday report by the state-run Philippine News Agency, citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The area is slightly more than an hour’s drive north of Clark Air Base, a former Air Force installation that continues to host U.S. military training in the Philippines. The exercise was coordinated with Philippine authorities to practice operations in cases where airports and runways are inaccessible, such as during typhoons or earthquakes, the AP reported. INDOPACOM confirmed that an accident occurred during training in central Luzon but did not provide additional details. No civilians were injured, and the incident remains under investigation, the command said. Photos posted Tuesday on Facebook by the Philippine Department of National Defense showed a Wolfhound conducting what was described as the “first highway landing operation in the Philippines and only the second in Asia.” Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro observed the highway landing in Pangasinan, according to the post. The Wolfhound is the military version of the Dornier 328 turboprop commuter aircraft and has been continuously deployed since October 2011, according to an Air Force fact sheet. Its primary mission is to provide Special Operations Command with flexible, responsive transport for small teams and cargo. “Airlift missions are conducted by Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to prepared and semi-prepared airfields around the world,” the fact sheet states. The twin-engine, high-wing aircraft is capable of carrying passengers and cargo and conducting casualty evacuation missions, according to the Air Force. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-02-25/air-force-plane-crash-philippines-20878664.html Alaska Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Cincinnati after bloody, devastating bird strike: report A flock of geese was slaughtered by an Alaska Airlines flight, almost bringing the blood-splattered plane down mid-air and forcing it to make an emergency landing at a Cincinnati airport, a National Transportation Security Board review concluded Wednesday. At least eight Canada geese were shredded to pieces when they were either struck by, or vacuumed into, the plane last month, the NTSB confirmed in its official report. Alaska Airlines flight 2616, an Amazon cargo flight bound from Cincinnati to Hebron, Kentucky, turned tail while in mid-flight, back to its origin, after reports of a dangerous bird strike on Jan. 28. The captain called out “birds!” moments before the crew “felt multiple birds impact the left and right side of the airplane,” according to the NTSB report. https://nypost.com/2026/02/25/us-news/alaska-airlines-flight-makes-emergency-landing-in-cincinnati-after-devastating-bird-strike-report/ China to buy up to 120 Airbus aircraft, Germany's Merz says during Beijing visit German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday to deepen ties between two of the world's leading economies. China will order up to 120 additional aircraft from European aviation giant Airbus, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, as he travelled to Beijing to deepen ties between his country and Asia's largest economy. "The Chinese leadership will be ordering a larger number of additional aircraft from Airbus. The total order will include up to 120 additional aircraft," Merz told reporters after his meeting with Xi, adding that it "demonstrates how worthwhile such trips can be". As leader of the world's third-largest economy, Merz met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Wednesday amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty. “The more turbulent and complex the world becomes, the more China and Germany should strengthen strategic communication and enhance strategic mutual trust,” Xi said during the bilateral meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Merz replied that although some challenges remain, the two nations should “emphasise the things we have in common and face the challenges we stand before together.” Germany's Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) speaks during a press statement before his departure for China, in Brandenburg, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Germany's Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) speaks during a press statement before his departure for China, in Brandenburg, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Prior to his departure to Beijing, Merz, who has repeatedly called for a stronger Europe in both military and economic terms, indicated he would press for a level playing field for German companies. “Our message from a European point of view is the same: We want a balanced, reliable, regulated and fair partnership with China,” Merz said. “This is our offer. At the same time, it is what we also hope for and expect from the Chinese side". The meeting comes as part of Merz's two-day visit to China. Besides discussing ties, the German chancellor also sought out China's assistance in bringing an end to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which passed its four-year mark on Tuesday. The German chancellor stressed that Beijing cannot be left out of efforts to resolve global crises. “The big global political problems can no longer be tackled today without involving Beijing," Merz said. "Beijing’s voice is heard, including in Moscow". On Thursday Merz will travel to Hangzhou, a global tech hub, to visit Unitree Robotics, one of China's leading developers of humanoid robots. https://www.euronews.com/2026/02/25/china-to-buy-up-to-120-airbus-aircraft-germanys-merz-says-during-beijing-visit 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