Flight Safety Information - March 11, 2026 No. 050 In This Issue : Incident: PSA CRJ7 at Washington on Mar 9th 2026, FOD : Incident: AirAsia A320 at Manila on Mar 10th 2026, engine failure : Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 22-23 September 2026 (London) : United Airlines Crew Reports ‘Cracked Windshield’ After Plane Strikes Bird Shortly After Takeoff : Jeju Air crash: South Korean auditor says ministry prioritised cost over safety : NTSB focuses on deicing timeline in fatal Bangor Challenger crash : Boeing finds wiring flaw on 737 Max planes : Gulf Air moves fleet from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia for safety : Dassault unveils Falcon 10X ultra-long-range business jet : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY : Calendar of Events Incident: PSA CRJ7 at Washington on Mar 9th 2026, FOD A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N517AE performing flight AA-5561 from Washington National,DC to Birmingham,AL (USA), was departing Washington National's runway 15 when the aircraft struck from foreign object on the runway. The aircraft stopped the climb at 4000 feet and diverted to Washington Dulles,DC (USA) for a safe landing on runway 19C about 16 minutes after departure. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN OBJECT ON TAKEOFF FROM DCA AND DIVERTED TO IAD AND POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED A HOLE IN THE RADOME, CHANTILLY, VA." The aircraft is still on the ground in Washington about 14 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5365b45f&opt=0 Incident: AirAsia A320 at Manila on Mar 10th 2026, engine failure An AirAsia Airbus A320-200, registration 9M-AJA performing flight AK-585 from Manila (Philippines) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), was climbing out of Manila's runway 06 when the crew stopped the climb at about 13.500 feet due to the failure of the left hand engine, the crew advised ATC they still had the right hand engine available and were declaring PAN PAN. The aircraft entered a hold and subsequently returned to Manila for a safe landing on runway 06 about 35 minutes after departure. Passenger reports range from strange noises from the engine during takeoff to a loud bang. After return several mechanics were inspecting the left hand engine. The aircraft is still on the ground in Manila about 21 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5365af7e&opt=0 United Airlines Crew Reports ‘Cracked Windshield’ After Plane Strikes Bird Shortly After Takeoff The Boeing 737 MAX 8 had just departed from Newark Liberty International Airport when the incident occurred A United Airlines flight returned to Newark Liberty International Airport after a bird strike caused a reported cracked windshield Passengers deplaned safely and eventually took another aircraft to their destination of Jacksonville, Fla. The FAA reports wildlife strikes with aircrafts are increasing, with over 19,000 incidents in 2023 alone A United Airlines flight was forced to turn back to Newark Liberty International Airport after it struck a bird shortly after takeoff. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said United Airlines Flight 1207 returned to the Newark, N.J., airport around 8:40 a.m. local time “after striking a bird while departing” on Monday, March 9. “The crew reported a cracked windshield and a possible pressurization issue,” the agency continued. “The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was headed to Jacksonville International Airport. The FAA will investigate.” Confirming the incident to PEOPLE, a United Airlines spokesperson said the flight “safely returned to Newark following a bird strike.” Passengers were able to deplane normally at the gate, and they were later brought to Jacksonville, Fla. on a different aircraft, the airline added. United also stated that their inspection of the aircraft “did not show damage to the windshield.” Per the FAA, the windshield is “comprised of multiple layers of tempered glass and other materials.” There were 138 passengers and six crew members on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, United noted. Data shared by FlightAware showed that United Flight 1207 departed at 7:55 a.m. local time on Monday, and it was in the air for less than an hour before it returned to Newark Liberty International Airport. It later departed at 11:36 a.m. local time and reached Jacksonville International Airport at 1:57 p.m., according to the tracking data. 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. According to the FAA, wildlife strikes with aircrafts have been increasing in the United States and beyond. There were 91,600 wildlife strikes reported in the U.S. between 1990 and 2023, with about 19,400 strikes occurring at 713 airports in the U.S. in 2023 alone. Explaining the reason behind this increase, the agency noted, “Expanding wildlife populations, increases in number of aircraft movements, a trend toward faster and quieter aircraft, and outreach to the aviation community all have contributed to the observed increase in reported wildlife strikes.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-airlines-crew-reports-cracked-181243598.html Jeju Air crash: South Korean auditor says ministry prioritised cost over safety The audit said the transport ministry allowed 14 non-compliant localiser structures at eight airports to reduce earthwork costs South Korea’s transport ministry cut construction costs and approved improper airport safety structures for more than two decades, the state auditor said in a report on aviation safety management after a Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people. The December 2024 crash involved a Boeing 737-800 which was struck by birds, belly-landed and overran the runway at Muan International Airport, killing almost everyone on board after it struck a concrete support for a localiser antenna. The only survivors were two flight attendants at the rear of the plane. The Board of Audit and Inspection said in a report published on Tuesday that the ministry built a 2.4 metre (8 foot) high concrete embankment upon which to place the localiser – a landing guidance system – at Muan airport to reduce earthwork costs, without adequately reviewing relevant rules. Under international standards, localiser structures should be designed to break apart easily upon aircraft impact. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for airport construction. It hands operations to Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) but remains responsible for safety certification. The auditor said the ministry wrongly approved 14 non-compliant localiser installations at eight airports including Muan, Gimhae and Jeju. It also said that, for up to 22 years, the ministry certified operating permits and approved regular inspections that erroneously found frangibility standards had been met. According to the report, the ministry was aware that the wall did not comply with international recommendations requiring runway end safety areas to be free of rigid obstacles. “The Ministry of Land reduced construction costs at certain regional airports by introducing longitudinal slopes to minimise earthwork volumes,” the government’s audit said. At Muan, steeper slopes were applied to the runway and runway end safety area than are in operation at South Korea’s main Incheon International Airport, near Seoul. This resulted in embankments rising above ground level, and concrete foundations for the localiser antennas were installed within those embankments. A consortium operating the airport had initially planned to install a collapsible structure for the system, the audit said. But by the time the airport opened in 2007, a concrete wall had been erected to elevate the equipment, which must sit higher than the runway’s highest point. Levelling the sloped terrain was deemed too expensive. The auditor identified broader shortcomings in bird-strike prevention and other aspects of air safety management, and notified the ministry of 30 cases of wrongdoing or procedural failure. The ministry said it “humbly accepted” the findings and would take strict follow-up measures, including localiser improvement and stronger bird-strike prevention. KAC said it was in the process of reflecting improvements recommended by the report. Jeju Air did not answer phone calls seeking comment. A separate government-commissioned report found the crash might not have been deadly if there had not been a concrete embankment at the end of the runway, an opposition lawmaker said in January, citing a simulation contained in the report. A full investigative report is pending public disclosure. It has missed a one-year deadline for the release of a progress report. The Muan airport has been closed since the crash. It is unclear when it will reopen. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3346185/jeju-air-crash-south-korean-auditor-says-ministry-prioritised-cost-over-safety NTSB focuses on deicing timeline in fatal Bangor Challenger crash A Bombardier Challenger 650 that crashed on takeoff from Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine on January 25, 2026, appears to have departed after exceeding the maximum holdover time for its anti-ice treatment, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The crash killed both pilots and four passengers. The airplane, N10KJ, had arrived in Bangor from Houston as the first leg of a planned transatlantic trip to Châlons-Vatry Airport in France. According to the NTSB, the jet landed at Bangor at 1809 local time, taxied to the FBO ramp for refueling, then later taxied to the deice pad as snow fell. The deicing process began at 1919:26 and ended at 1927:04. Type IV anti-ice application started at 1927:43 and concluded at 1930:55. The report said the weather during the anti-ice application included 3/4 statute mile visibility, light snow, a temperature of minus 16 degrees Celsius, and nighttime conditions. Under the FAA Holdover Time Guidelines for winter 2025-2026, the NTSB said that combination of nighttime visibility, snowfall intensity, and temperature translated to a maximum holdover time of nine minutes, measured from the start of the anti-ice application. That timing appears to be central to the preliminary findings. The aircraft sat for 4 minutes 51 seconds after the anti-ice application ended, then began taxiing from the deice pad at 1935:46. By then, about 8 minutes 3 seconds had already elapsed since the start of the anti-ice application. The Challenger stopped about 200 feet short of the Runway 33 hold-short line at 1940:16. It did not begin the takeoff roll until 1943:57. That means roughly 16 minutes 14 seconds passed between the start of the Type IV anti-ice application and the start of the takeoff roll, well beyond the nine-minute maximum holdover time cited by investigators. The cockpit voice recorder captured a discussion about holdover times during the taxi. According to the NTSB, the pilot commented that it was “standard” to have 14-18 minutes and that if the wait was more than 30 minutes, the crew would return to the ramp to deice again. The copilot agreed. The preliminary report does not say why the crew discussed a longer time window than the FAA guideline cited by investigators. It also does not say whether the pilots consulted the wrong table, misread the conditions, or misunderstood how the holdover calculation applied to the weather that night. The NTSB specifically said that at night, 3/4 mile visibility corresponded to “moderate” snowfall intensity under the FAA guidance, producing the nine-minute maximum holdover time. Upon liftoff, the flight lasted only seconds. According to flight data recorder information, the copilot called V1 at 1944:18, though the airplane had not yet reached that speed. The airplane lifted off at 1944:24. About two seconds later, both stick shakers activated. The jet rolled left, then right, while both ailerons deflected consistent with full left control wheel input. At 1944:30, just before the recorder stopped, the airplane had a pitch attitude of about 6 degrees nose-up and a bank angle of about 77 degrees right wing down. The NTSB said the preliminary flight data did not show evidence of a flight control malfunction or failure, and both engines continued to produce takeoff power until recording stopped. The aircraft impacted the ground off the right side of Runway 33 and was destroyed by impact forces, explosions, and a post-crash fire. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/ntsb-prelim-deicing-timeline-bangor-challenger-crash Boeing finds wiring flaw on 737 Max planes Boeing Co. shares fell after it said a wiring flaw found on its 737 Max will delay some deliveries of the cash-cow narrowbody jet. The U.S. planemaker said its overall delivery target of roughly 500 of the 737 jets for the year remains unchanged despite the quality lapse, disclosed on Tuesday as the company reported monthly orders and deliveries. “Our 737 program is performing rework on a group of airplanes to fix wires that have small scratches due to a machining error,” a Boeing spokeswoman said in a statement. “This ensures they meet our quality standards before the airplanes are delivered.” Production of new 737 MAX airplanes continues at the existing rate, Boeing said. The planemaker didn’t disclose how many aircraft were affected by the lapse. The company said it expects fixes to the scratches in the wiring of some undelivered planes will be completed in a matter of days. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating the issue but declined to comment further. https://www.ocregister.com/2026/03/10/boeing-tumbles-after-wiring-flaw-found-on-737-max-planes/ Gulf Air moves fleet from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia for safety Gulf Air has temporarily relocated a significant portion of its fleet from Bahrain International Airport to Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Israel-US-Iran tensions in the region. Around 10 aircraft were flown to safer locations during a brief reopening of regional airspace on March 10. The transfers were conducted without passengers as a precaution while missile threats remain a concern, News.Az reports, citing Al Jazeera. With several planes now temporarily stationed abroad, regular commercial operations from Bahrain are largely suspended. https://news.az/news/gulf-air-moves-fleet-from-bahrain-to-saudi-arabia-for-safety Dassault unveils Falcon 10X ultra-long-range business jet Aircraft targets the top segment of business aviation with a large cabin and 7,500nm range Dassault Aviation has unveiled the Falcon 10X, a new flagship business jet designed to compete in the ultra-long-range segment dominated by aircraft such as the Gulfstream G700 and Bombardier Global 7500. The aircraft was presented at Dassault’s Bordeaux-Mérignac facility in France during an event attended by more than 400 customers, partners and suppliers. The program is moving toward its next milestone, with the company aiming for a first flight in the near term and certification currently targeted for 2027. Once in service, the Falcon 10X will replace the Falcon 6X as the French manufacturer’s largest and most capable business jet. The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X turbofan engines producing more than 18,000lb of thrust each. Dassault says the jet will be capable of a maximum speed of Mach 0.925 and a range of 7,500 nautical miles when cruising at Mach 0.85. That performance would allow nonstop connections between city pairs such as New York and Shanghai, Los Angeles and Sydney, or São Paulo and Dubai. A key element of the design is a new all-composite wing, the first used on a Dassault business jet. The structure is intended to improve aerodynamic efficiency while supporting the aircraft’s large cabin and preserving the short-field performance associated with the Falcon family. The Falcon 10X also introduces a new cockpit architecture known as NeXus. The flight deck integrates large touchscreen displays and new automation tools designed to reduce pilot workload during complex operations. The aircraft will also feature the latest generation of Dassault’s digital fly-by-wire flight control system. Dassault says the aircraft’s cabin measures 2.77m wide and about 2m high, providing what the company describes as the largest interior volume of any purpose-built business jet. The space allows for multiple interior configurations, including three- or four-zone layouts. At a cruising altitude of 41,000ft, the cabin will be pressurised to the equivalent of 3,000ft, a level intended to reduce fatigue on long flights. https://www.airdatanews.com/dassault-unveils-falcon-10x-ultra-long-range-business-jet/ GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Airline Pilot, As a doctoral candidate in the Psychology Department at Liberty University, I am conducting research as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree. The purpose of my research is to examine the pilot acceptability and effectiveness of a training protocol designed to inform pilots of the latest research in fatigue and in ways to individually mitigate fatigue within the challenging environment of airline flying, and I am writing to invite you to join my study. Participants must be active pilot flight crew members operating under 14 CFR121 or the equivalent ICAO regulations. Participants will be asked to take two online surveys, view a web delivered training program, take two more confidential online surveys at the conclusion of the training, and finally, 30 days after the training, to take two online surveys as follow-up. This study involves a relatively serious commitment of time, and the only compensation is the ability to receive the training package. This package is modified for pilots from one developed and tested by researchers connected to the DOD medical research community. It contains the latest information on sleep, circadian rhythms, and individual sleep skills. It should take approximately 15 minutes to complete each survey and 37 minutes for the training. Participation will be completely confidential, and other than email addresses to facilitate the follow-on survey, no personal identifying information will be collected. These addresses will be exported from the software in a separate file to create the follow-on email invites and then will be deleted following data collection. They will not be associated with your responses. Any questions you may have before or after deciding to participate can be directed to sfreeves@liberty.edu. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you can opt out at any time with no repercussions. To participate, please click the link at the bottom of this message to complete the screening, surveys and training. Participants will complete the initial surveys and the training package. Thirty days later, they will be emailed an invitation to complete the final surveys. I am grateful to each of you for considering/participating in this study. A study information sheet is provided as the first section of the initial survey. The document contains additional information about my research. You do not need to sign and return the document. After you have read the information, please click the button next to YES in order to proceed to the survey. Doing so will indicate that you have read the information and would like to take part in the study. LINK: https://liberty.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t6rgnOTA9lq8rc Sincerely, Scott Reeves Captain FedEx (Retired) sfreeves@liberty.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 : APSCON/APSCON Unmanned 2026 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL - July 13-17, 2026 : Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 22-23 September 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