Flight Safety Information - March 13, 2026 No. 052 In This Issue : Incident: IBC SF34 at Miami on Mar 11th 2026, hydraulic failure, runway excursion : Piper PA-31T1 Cheyenne - overturned during landing (Brazil) : Four US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq : Bird Punches Hole in American Airlines Plane's 'Radome' During Takeoff, Forcing Diversion : Heavily Intoxicated ‘Passenger From Hell’ Who Repeatedly Bit Flight Attendant Swerves Jail Sentence : Riyadh Air Launches First International Pilot Recruitment Roadshow with Debut Events in London Gatwick and Manchester in April 2026 : Jet2 flight from Scotland to holiday hotspot delayed after PILOT forgets essential item : Only 3 U.S. Airlines Can Remain Profitable at Current Oil Prices : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY : Calendar of Events Incident: IBC SF34 at Miami on Mar 11th 2026, hydraulic failure, runway excursion An IBC Airways Saab 340A freighter, registration N631BC performing flight II-101 from Miami,FL (USA) to Nassau (Bahamas) with 2 crew, was climbing out of Miami's runway 08L when the crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet due to a hydraulic failure and decided to return to Miami. The aircraft approached runway 09, queried ATC whether ATC could see all gear down - which tower confirmed - and decided to go around for another approach, positioned for another approach to runway 09, touched down and rolled out. While vacating the runway the aircraft veered off and came to a stop in the grass. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY DUE TO A HYDRAULICS ISSUE AND RETURNED TO MIA, LANDED AND VEERED OFF RUNWAY INTO THE GRASS, MIAMI, FL." https://avherald.com/h?article=53669929&opt=0 Piper PA-31T1 Cheyenne - overturned during landing (Brazil) Date: Wednesday 11 March 2026 Time: c. 13:05 LT Type: Piper PA-31T1 Cheyenne I Owner/operator: Abelha Táxi e Aereo e Manutenção Ltda Registration: PS-HEV MSN: 31T-8104061 Year of manufacture: 1981 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: Japuranã, Nova Bandeirantes, MT - Brazil Phase: Landing Nature: Ambulance Departure airport: Cuiabá-Marechal Rondon International Airport, MT (CGB/SBCY) Destination airport: Japuranã airstrip Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Piper PA-31T1 Cheyenne I overturned during landing on an airstrip in Japuranã, Nova Bandeirantes, Mato Grosso. One of the for occupants suffered minor injuries and the aircraft received substantial damage. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/567844 Four US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq WASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - Four of the six crew members aboard a U.S. military aircraft that crashed in western Iraq ‌are confirmed to have been killed, the U.S. military said on Friday, ‌as rescue efforts continued for the remaining two. A U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, in an incident the military said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. The deaths add to the seven U.S. service members who have already been killed as part of U.S. operations against Iran which began on February 28. "The circumstances of ‌the incident are under investigation. ⁠However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," a statement from U.S. Central Command said. A ⁠U.S. official told Reuters that the second aircraft involved in the crash, which landed safely, was also a military refueling aircraft known as the KC-135. The United States has deployed a large number of aircraft into the Middle East to take part in operations against Iran and the ‌incident highlights the risk of not just operations, but of refueling aircraft in the air. The KC-135, built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has served as the backbone of the U.S. military's air refueling fleet and is critical to allowing aircraft to carry out missions without having to land. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group ‌of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the U.S. military refueling aircraft. Reuters reported on Tuesday that as many as 150 U.S. troops have been wounded in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. News of ‌the crash comes the same day two U.S. sailors were injured after the USS Gerald Ford suffered a non-combat-related fire on board. The first seven U.S. troops were killed when a drone slammed into a U.S. military facility in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/four-us-members-killed-plane-094429672.html Bird Punches Hole in American Airlines Plane's 'Radome' During Takeoff, Forcing Diversion The incident occurred on Monday, March 9, at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport A regional flight diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport after a birdstrike caused damage to the plane's radome The Bombardier CRJ-700took off from Reagan Airport the evening of Monday, March 9 The FAA confirmed the flight landed safely and will investigate the incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff A regional jet departing Washington, D.C., was forced to divert after a bird struck the plane during takeoff. On Monday, March 9, American Airlines flight 5561 took off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) just before 11:30 p.m. local time, per FlightAware. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-700— operated by regional carrier PSA Airlines — was en route to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama. However, within minutes of takeoff, the plane was forced to divert to Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD). While taking off from the airport’s runway 15, the aircraft struck a foreign object, according to a report from the Aviation Herald. The aircraft continued its climb until 4,000 feet, at which point it began a left turn towards IAD. In an initial statement shared with the outlet, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the “aircraft struck an object on takeoff from DCA and diverted to IAD and post flight inspection revealed a hole in the radome.” The term “radome” is a combination of the words radar and dome. For planes, it refers to a weatherproof, aerodynamic shell typically found at the nose of an aircraft. These encasings protect weather radar systems that assist pilots in navigating various meteorological conditions. According to the FAA, holes of any size in a radome can cause major damage as moisture can enter the system. In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday, March 12, an FAA spokesperson said crews “reported a bird strike” shortly after takeoff. The agency confirmed the flight landed safely at IAD around 11:45 p.m. local time. The plane was in the air for less than 20 minutes. The agency confirmed it will investigate the incident. PEOPLE has reached out to American and PSA Airlines for further comment. Since 1990, the FAA has maintained a wildlife strike database containing records of reported wildlife strikes. The agency reports about 291,600 strikes between 1990 and 2023, with about 19,400 strikes at 713 airports in 2023. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE'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. FAA data shows about 61% of bird strikes occur during the landing phase of a flight while 35% occur during takeoff run and climb. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/bird-punches-hole-american-airlines-162310275.html Heavily Intoxicated ‘Passenger From Hell’ Who Repeatedly Bit Flight Attendant Swerves Jail Sentence A heavily intoxicated ‘passenger from hell’ who repeatedly bit a flight attendant on the hand and continuously disrupted a JetBlue flight from New York JFK to Detroit Metro International Airport has avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to interference with crew members – a crime that can carry a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Mohamed Ali was sentenced by District Judge Matthew F. Leitman in Michigan court on Thursday, where he discovered his fate – Ali swerved jail time and was instead ordered to complete three years of probation. During this time, Ali has been banned from getting on a plane, unless he is flying to visit family in his native Yemen or for the purposes of attending a court hearing. He must also complete 150 hours of community service, and has been banned from being in possession of alcohol. Ali was arrested in April 2023 after he touched down in Detroit following a wild flight from New York during which he assaulted other passengers and interfered with the flight attendants, court documents reveal. Even before the plane had taken off, Ali was accused of inappropriately touching a female passenger’s hair, arm, and breasts. When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, Ali repeatedly bit the crew member’s hand. Despite this behavior, however, the flight still took off, and Ali’s unruly behavior continued unabated. According to his plea agreement, Ali started to yell out and strike the seat in front of him. Flight attendants moved him to another seat away from other passengers, but he continued to flail out and disturb the flight. His behavior became so concerning that flight attendants attempted to use restraints on him, but he somehow managed to escape the restraints twice. In the end, flight attendants and two good Samaritan passengers had to hold him in his seat for the remainder of the flight using seatbelt extenders and foot and hand restraints. Up until the point the plane landed in Detroit, Ali allegedly continued to try to free himself, behaving violently and shouting expletives at the rest of the plane. After his arrest, Ali said he had no recollection of the flight. Prior to boarding the delayed flight, Ali said he had consumed around $100 worth of wine in an airport bar. Ali later confessed that he doesn’t drink often, but when he does, he “does not act like himself.” In a sentencing memorandum submitted to the court, prosecutors wrote: “While hurtling hundreds of miles per hour through the air in a confined metal tube, the defendant carried out an alcohol-fueled campaign of belligerent behavior that put his fellow passengers and flight staff at risk.” “Ali assaulted a nearby passenger, bit a flight attendant multiple times, and kicked and screamed before flight staff and good Samaritans helped restrain him. Even then, Ali continued to fight his restraints for the rest of the flight.” Despite this assessment, prosecutors conceded that Ali’s behavior during this flight was not indicative of how he normally was and suggested a sentence at the bottom of the guideline range still recognized the seriousness of the crime. Prosecutors concluded that they would not oppose a sentence of probation. Although interference with flight crew members can carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, plus a fine of up to $250,000, it’s incredibly rare for perpetrators to receive a custodial sentence. In many cases, jail is normally only a part of the sentencing if it is handed down as time served. That being said, in January, a Delta Air Lines passenger who hid nearly three and a half dozen Xanax pills under his scrotum and threatened to kill an 80-year-old flight attendant during a flight from Omaha, Nebraska, to Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to one and a half years in federal prison. Mario Nikprelaj, 24, from Shelby Township in Michigan, was responsible for a terrifying incident aboard the regional service operated by Skywest on behalf of Delta Connection last July. According to federal prosecutors, Nikprelaj attempted to open the door of the regional CRJ-900 jet when the flight attendants had their backs turned when they started to deliver the onboard service. Boasting an extensive criminal history of violent behavior, including domestic violence, disorderly conduct, breaking and entering, and assaulting a police officer, Nikprelaj should have known that his guilty plea in this case wouldn’t act as a ‘get out of jail free’ card. Earlier this week, Nikprelaj was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, which will be followed by two years of supervised release. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa pointed out that there is no parole in the federal system. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2026/03/13/heavily-intoxicated-passenger-from-hell-who-repeatedly-bit-flight-attendant-swerves-jail-sentence/ Jet2 flight from Scotland to holiday hotspot delayed after PILOT forgets essential item A FLIGHT from Scotland to Turkey was delayed because the pilot due to fly the aircraft ‘forgot his passport’. Holidaymakers were due to jet off on the Jet2 service from Glasgow International Airport to Antalya yesterday. The flight to Turkey was delayed because the pilot due to fly the aircraft ‘forgot his passport’Credit: Getty But the 7.45am service was delayed until 9.07am, with passengers being told it was because of the pilot’s blunder. It’s understood another pilot came to his rescue, with the colleague stepping in to fly the plane in his place and get the travellers on their way as quickly as possible. One passenger said: “We were told the delay was because the pilot forgot his passport. “They got another pilot to come who was closer than waiting on the actual pilot going back to his home in Musselburgh to get his passport and then come back to the airport. “So pilot Andrew saved the day – he got us on our way as soon as possible.” The flight, which had been scheduled to arrive at 3.35pm, touched down at 4.44pm following the delay. The Jet2 website boasts of being an “award-winning” airline which provides “first-rate service”. It adds: “As a Which? Recommended Provider for the past ten years running, Jet2.com‘s the top place to go for cheap, great-value flights. “From our Friendly low fares and great flight times to our famously welcoming service, we go the extra mile to make your experience a fantastic one. “And with daily flights departing year-round from our 14 UK airports, plus more than 75 destinations across Europe and beyond to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to flying with us. “Whether it’s a winter break in Krakow or a sizzling summer getaway to Spain you’re after, we’ve got you covered. “On top of taking you to all the most popular beach destinations, we also offer ski and city flights too, meaning you can choose the break to suit you. “So whether you’re planning to top up your tan, hit the slopes or unlock the secrets of a new city, explore our fantastic selection of cheap flights.” A spokesperson for Jet2 said: “The flight was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. “We would like to apologise to affected customers for the short delay and can confirm that we got them on their way as soon as possible.” https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/16026501/jet2-flight-pilot-forgets-essential-item/ Only 3 U.S. Airlines Can Remain Profitable at Current Oil Prices Wall Street analysts are warning that U.S. airlines could face a painful earnings squeeze as oil prices surge amid the escalating war with Iran. Crude prices jumped over 9% on Thursday as the conflict rattled energy markets and heightened fears of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Many U.S. carriers largely abandoned fuel hedging in recent years, leaving them far more exposed to sudden price spikes and raising the prospect that only a handful of airlines can remain profitable at current oil prices. Airlines and oil producers typically rely on hedging strategies to manage extreme oil price volatility. Airlines seek predictable fuel costs, while producers aim to stabilize revenue. Fuel accounts for roughly 15% or more of airline operating expenses, making price swings particularly damaging. By using futures, swaps, or options, carriers can lock in prices and shield themselves from sudden spikes that can quickly erode profitability. Airlines often hedge up to two-thirds of expected fuel consumption about six months in advance, with European carriers generally taking a more aggressive approach. According to UBS analyst Atul Maheswari, Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) and Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) are the only U.S. airlines that can generate even "meagre profits" if fuel prices remain at or above $4 a gallon. Maheswari has noted that while these three might be able to stay in the black, no other major airlines are expected to make money at current oil prices, with many likely to face deep losses. Delta and United are considered less sensitive to fuel shocks mainly due to their higher operating margins. Both airlines have traditionally benefited from a "K-shaped" demand environment, whereby premium travel demand remains robust, allowing them to maintain higher margins during times of surging costs compared to low-cost airlines. Additionally, these carriers are better equipped to pass higher fuel costs on to passengers through elevated ticket prices and fuel surcharges. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines owns the Monroe Energy refinery in Pennsylvania; whereas the refinery does not directly protect the company against crude oil price spikes, it provides a partial hedge against "crack spreads"i.e. the difference between the cost of crude oil and the price of finished jet fuel. For its part, Southwest Airlines also enjoys significant downside protection despite being the largest low-cost carrier. Southwest has traditionally used aggressive fuel hedging strategies to manage fuel price volatility, although some reports indicate the airline slowed down in 2025 amid a low oil price environment. Southwest’s extensive fuel hedging program has provided significant cost savings ever since the airline adopted this tool during the Great Recession. The carrier also manages fuel expenses through a combination of a fuel-efficient fleet and operational efficiencies, coupled with the integration of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). By operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet, Southwest reduces maintenance and training costs, while utilizing newer, more fuel-efficient 737 MAX aircraft, which are roughly 16% more efficient than earlier models. The airline focuses on short-haul, point-to-point flights, which are generally more fuel-efficient than hub-and-spoke models. Further, Southwest has expanded its use of SAF made from renewable waste and residue in recent years, helping it to reduce reliance on conventional fuel. European and Asian airlines tend to hedge more aggressively than their American peers. For instance, Air France-KLM (OTCPK:AFRAF) has covered 87% of its fuel needs and Ryanair (NASDAQ:RYAAY) has covered 77% while Singapore Airlines (OTCPK:SINGY), Cathay Pacific (OTCPK:CPCAY) and Virgin Australia (OTCPK:VBHLF) also enjoy strong protection. Unfortunately, these carriers are still facing high costs because their hedges are tied to Brent crude, which did not rise as rapidly as the "crack spread" (the gap between crude oil and refined jet fuel). That said, technical charts for major airline indicators such as the U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS), suggest the recent selloff is driven by more than just high fuel costs. Analysts have noted that airline stocks continued to fall even when crude oil prices pulled back sharply, signaling a breakdown in long-term uptrends. To wit, JETS ETF has fallen below its 200-day moving average and key uptrend lines that had held since early 2025. There’s a method to the madness though. First off, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused widespread flight cancellations and forced expensive rerouting for international carriers. Second, there are growing concerns that sharp fare increases to offset fuel costs will lead to a pullback in consumer travel demand, especially among price-sensitive leisure travelers. Indeed, major airlines across Asia, Europe, and Oceania have begun aggressively raising ticket prices and implementing fuel surcharges following a massive spike in jet fuel costs from approximately $85 to as high as $200 per barrel amid the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Additionally, major carriers such as United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) face margin pressure from new labor contracts and general inflationary wage adjustments. Finally, cybersecurity has become a critical operational risk for 2026, with the FAA recently introducing new regulatory standards to combat sophisticated AI-enabled attacks. United Airlines stock is down nearly 21% over the past month, while Delta is down around 17% during the same time period, and American Airlines is down over 25%. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/only-3-u-airlines-remain-230000725.html 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 . 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) . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis