Flight Safety Information  - March 17, 2026    No. 054
 

In This Issue

: Incident: Peace B772 near Abuja on Mar 13th 2026, cracked windshield

: Incident: Virgin Australia B738 at Melbourne on Mar 15th 2026, passenger device ignited

: Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 22-23 September 2026 (London)

: Incident: Delta B712 at St. Louis on Mar 12th 2026, bird strike and engine damage on landing

: Amazon Breaks From Commercial Drone Industry on Safety

: EASA Flags Safety Lapses in Air India Aircraft

: Abusive boyfriend dragged off aircraft by police

: Spirit Airlines to shrink fleet to fewer than 80 aircraft in Chapter 11 restructuring

: Atlas Air Worldwide becomes Airbus’ largest A350F freighter customer with an order for 20 aircraft

: First Airbus A220 hull loss confirmed after ground fire destroys airBaltic jet

: Calendar of Events



 


 


Incident: Peace B772 near Abuja on Mar 13th 2026, cracked windshield

An Air Peace Boeing 777-200, registration 5N-BVE performing flight P4-7576 from Abuja (Nigeria) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL360 about 250nm north of Abuja when the crew descended the aircraft to FL100 and returned to Abuja for a safe landing on Abuja's runway 22 about 2:20 hours after departure.

The airline reported a windshield cracked and suspected a bird strike as cause of the crack.

The passengers were rebooked onto other flights.

The aircraft returned to service the following day again performing flight P4-7576.

https://avherald.com/h?article=53681c01&opt=0

 


 


 


Incident: Virgin Australia B738 at Melbourne on Mar 15th 2026, passenger device ignited

A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YFU performing flight VA-328 from Brisbane,QL to Melbourne,VI (Australia), was descending towards Melbourne's runway 27 when a passenger's device caught fire. The aircraft went around, the device was secured and the aircraft continued for a safe landing on Melbourne's runway 34 about 15 minutes later. Emergency services followed the aircraft to the apron and removed the device.

The airline reported a passenger's vape ignited prompting an urgency call, emergency services were on standby for landing and accompanied the aircraft to the apron. Firefighters removed the device from the aircraft.

The aircraft resumed service after about 5 hours on the ground.

https://avherald.com/h?article=53681b06&opt=0

 


 


 


Incident: Delta B712 at St. Louis on Mar 12th 2026, bird strike and engine damage on landing

A Delta Airlines Boeing 717-200, registration N996AT performing flight DL-1541 from Detroit,MI to St. Louis,MO (USA) with 108 passengers and 4 crew, was on approach to St. Louis' runway 11 when the aircraft sustained a bird strike causing problems with the right hand engine (BR715). The aircraft landed on runway 11 about 25 minutes later.

The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE #2 ENGINE DUE TO A BIRD STRIKE ON LANDING, AND REPORTED DAMAGE TO THE #2 ENGINE" and stated 108 passengers, 2 flight and 2 cabin crew.

The aircraft remained on the ground in St. Louis until Mar 15th 2026.

https://avherald.com/h?article=53681789&opt=0

 








Amazon Breaks From Commercial Drone Industry on Safety

Company’s Prime Air unit withdraws from the Commercial Drone Alliance.

Key Takeaways:
Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery business has withdrawn from arguably the country’s largest and most influential drone advocacy group over a “fundamental and irreconcilable disagreement” on safety, it wrote in a letter viewed by FLYING.

First reported by Reuters, the letter marks Prime Air’s formal departure from the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) due to clashing perspectives on the FAA’s consequential Part 108 proposal, which contains provisions for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

The proposal generated thousands of comments, many criticizing the FAA for going too far—and some for not going far enough. The CDA largely falls in the latter bucket.

“After extensive dialogue…it is clear that CDA’s positions on the most consequential safety questions facing the commercial drone industry are incompatible with Prime Air’s core safety tenets,” reads the letter from Matt McCardle, Prime Air’s director of global regulatory, infrastructure, and expansion, who resigned from the CDA board.

In a statement Saturday, the CDA assured that it is “fully committed to the safety of the National Airspace System [NAS] and integrating drones safely and securely.”

“The drone industry must meet a high bar for safety, and our members do,” it wrote.

Amazon’s exodus creates a divide between Prime Air and competitors Zipline, Dexa, and Alphabet’s Wing, all CDA members.

The organization also represents military and public safety uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) developers such as Skydio, Brinc Drones, and Merlin Labs, as well as several state utility providers and mobility projects like the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR).

Amazon vs. Drone Industry
Prime Air wrote that the safe integration of drones is the company’s “highest priority” and argued the CDA is operating with a “narrower set of commercial priorities.”

The disagreement centers on a provision that would require drones to equip technology that helps them detect and avoid (DAA) crewed aircraft.

Part 108 would expand BVLOS operations, meaning more flights without human eyes directly on the drone. To prevent collisions, the FAA proposed that Part 108 UAS have DAA capabilities that extend to noncooperative aircraft—those not broadcasting location, speed, and other data using ADS-B Out or some other form of electronic conspicuity (EC)—when flying in Class B and C airspace or over densely populated areas.


The agency alternatively considered an ADS-B Out mandate for all crewed aircraft flying below 500 feet. But it determined that cost and reliability concerns made it impractical.

In February, the House rejected a bill that would have mandated universal ADS-B adoption in the wake of the fatal 2025 collision over the Potomac River between a commercial passenger jet and U.S. Army helicopter, which was not broadcasting its location at the time of impact. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sharply criticized the move, which it said ignored its recommendations.

The CDA similarly supports an ADS-B requirement for crewed operations below 500 feet, making noncooperative DAA systems moot. Prime Air views that as a partial solution.

“The risk of a drone collision with a crewed aircraft is not theoretical,” McCardle wrote. “It is a foreseeable consequence of relying on a single layer of electronic detection in an airspace system that has always demanded redundancy.”

Prime Air agreed with the FAA that Part 108 must contain “requirements that mandate drone technologies capable of detecting ⁠non-cooperative crewed aircraft.”

It cited two incidents during which its DAA system avoided collisions with crewed aircraft that were not broadcasting their position, despite being required to in one of the cases. Without that intervention, the company said, there could have been “catastrophic safety consequences, including the loss of life.”

The CDA last year made its position clear in comments on the FAA’s proposal, which it said Saturday represent the “consensus position of the commercial drone community.”

The group “strongly recommends” removing the noncooperative DAA requirement for a few reasons. One is cost—CDA members estimated that the installation of radar systems to meet the provision could cost them anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000 per square mile of coverage. It argued that equipping crewed aircraft with ADS-B or other EC systems would be cheaper.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) strongly disagreed. It even went a step further, arguing that drones should have ADS-B In capabilities.

“To require GA aircraft to equip with conspicuity technology, which may or may not be reliable enough to serve as a stand-alone deconfliction mechanism, simply because DAA capabilities for drones are too expensive, too heavy, or too power-intensive, is stunningly inequitable and, again, unsafe,” AOPA wrote.

AOPA’s other contention was that ADS-B systems are unreliable at low altitude. That’s supported by the Transportation Department, which per a recent Government Accountability Office report warned in December that the technology “was not designed to accommodate the sheer number of drones entering the airspace, leading to potential signal issues.”

Amazon’s own DAA is not perfect. In February, one of its drones crashed into an apartment building in Texas, months after another clipped an internet cable. AOPA has specifically used Prime Air’s DAA as evidence of the technology’s immaturity, citing a 2025 incident in which two drones struck the same crane boom in Arizona.

“The fact that two drones crashed within minutes of each other, into the same obstacle, would seem to indicate that a systemic problem exists that must be examined and addressed,” the group wrote in its comment.

The CDA told a different story. In its statement Saturday, the group said its members “have conducted millions of safe UAS operations to date” using current systems, arguing that a prescriptive requirement for noncooperative DAA is simply not necessary.

Amazon accused it of cutting corners.

“Amazon Prime Air’s operational experience demonstrates the opposite: noncooperative detect and avoid technologies are not only achievable, they are the pathway to the high levels of safety that the NAS demands and that the public deserves,” the company wrote.

https://www.flyingmag.com/amazon-commercial-drone-industry-safety/

 







EASA Flags Safety Lapses in Air India Aircraft

European aviation authorities have raised concerns over safety lapses in Air India aircraft following a series of surprise inspections at airports across Europe, prompting increased scrutiny from regulators and corrective action by India’s aviation watchdog.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) identified multiple issues during inspections carried out under its Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) program. According to officials familiar with the findings, the ratio of safety issues per inspection for Air India aircraft reached 1.96 in January, triggering concern within the Cologne-based regulator and prompting communication with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

A ratio approaching 2 is considered a warning threshold in the SAFA framework. If exceeded, it can result in heightened inspections, operational restrictions, or in extreme cases, bans in European markets. European authorities maintain strict safety standards, and even relatively minor cabin or documentation issues are recorded as compliance findings.

European aviation safety inspections did not point to a single aircraft but rather a pattern of issues across Air India’s fleet, mainly involving older widebody jets such as Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. The findings emerged during routine surprise inspections at multiple European airports under the SAFA program, with increased exposure at hubs like Vienna due to fuel stops on North America routes.

In response, the DGCA moved quickly to intensify oversight of the Tata Group-owned airline. Authorities imposed corrective measures and increased inspections of aircraft scheduled for international operations. Only aircraft meeting full compliance standards are now cleared for continued service.

Following these actions, Air India’s inspection ratio has improved, declining to 1.76 as of the latest assessments. However, this remains above the level typically seen in airlines with strong safety performance, which generally maintain a ratio below 1.

EASA inspections evaluate approximately 54 parameters, including aircraft documentation, safety equipment such as emergency exits and life jackets, and crew certification. Findings are categorized by severity, with Category 3 issues requiring immediate corrective action and carrying the greatest weight in the overall score.

Industry sources point to Air India’s ageing fleet as a key factor behind the higher number of recorded issues. While the airline has launched a $400 million program to refurbish older aircraft, progress has been slowed by global supply chain challenges affecting parts and maintenance timelines.

Operational changes have also increased exposure to inspections. Due to airspace restrictions, some Air India flights to North America have been making fuel stops in European cities such as Vienna, leading to more frequent checks under the SAFA program.

The developments highlight ongoing challenges for Air India as it undergoes a broader transformation under Tata Group ownership. The airline has faced repeated scrutiny over engineering and maintenance practices, including recent regulatory actions against senior officials.

To strengthen its technical capabilities, Air India is increasingly leveraging expertise from Singapore Airlines, which holds a strategic stake in the carrier. Recent leadership changes in engineering signal a renewed focus on improving maintenance standards and operational reliability as the airline works to align with global safety expectations.

https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

 







Abusive boyfriend dragged off aircraft by police

Police arrest suspect as he prepares to fly from Manchester Airport
A man who subjected his girlfriend to a year of control and abuse was dragged off an aircraft at Manchester Airport by police after throwing prosecco in her face.

Callum Coady, 27, was also seen shouting at his partner Daisy Martin and threatening to kill her after a Facebook message on her phone sent him into a rage.

After Coady was detained Martin revealed the truth about their relationship, telling officers he dictated what she wore and who she spoke to, isolated her from friends and family and kept a constant track on her location.

Coady pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and was jailed for 16 weeks, suspended for 12 months, at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

GMP Police body-camera footage of Callum Coady, 27, whose face has been blurred by police, standing in front of the camera in the entrance to an aeroplane. He is wearing a grey Under Armour branded t-shirt. GMP

Callum Coady, 27, pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour
Speaking after the case, Martin said Coady, from Larwood Avenue in Heaton Mersey, Stockport, had made her "forget what love should feel like".

"I struggle to believe anyone could genuinely want something healthy with me," she said.

"I feel anxious going places in case I see him, and I still look over my shoulder. My sense of safety is gone."

GMP A mocked up digital image showing a phone screen with 'Coady' written at the top, and blue message boxes reading: "Why have you turned your read receipts and location off, turn it back on NOW". "Who are you talking to?" and "Block him".GMP

Police trawled through 35,000 messages between Coady and his ex partner
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the abuse came to an end on 19 August 2023 after airport staff intervened and called the police.

Bodyworn camera footage released by the force showed Coady complaining about missing his flight as he was taken off the plane in handcuffs.

Martin opened up to officers and showed them messages from Coady on her phone.

They included demands to turn her location on and demands to know who she was speaking to.

One read: "Was that a [Snapchat] notification I heard from you?"

Martin replied: "No it wasn't me I deleted it."

GMP A mocked up digital image showing a phone screen with 'Coady' written at the top, and a blue message box reading: "Did I just hear a Snap notification come from you."
A grey message box underneath reads: "No it wasn't me I deleted it."GMP
The messages detailed Coady's controlling and abusive behaviour
She told officers she felt "trapped" and like there was "no way out", but did not realise she had been subjected to a criminal offence until it was explained to her.

GMP said specialist domestic abuse officers trawled through 35,000 messages between the couple as part of its investigation.

Det Con Elizabeth Andrews said Martin had shown "exceptional bravery" throughout the case.

"The thousands of messages recovered from Coady's phone provided a clear and disturbing insight into the level of control, manipulation and abuse she was subjected to, and they formed a crucial part of the evidence against him."

Martin added: "I used to be open and secure, but that part of me feels damaged. This experience has deeply affected my trust and identity."

Coady was ordered to complete a relationships course with the Probation Service as part of his suspended sentence order, and was banned from contacting her by a five-year restraining order.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to Martin.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yk1le9kp6o

 







Spirit Airlines to shrink fleet to fewer than 80 aircraft in Chapter 11 restructuring

As the carrier approaches its exit from Chapter 11, will a smaller fleet and reduced network size help amid the current fuel price increases?

Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low-cost carrier currently attempting to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has revealed a further round of cuts as it seeks to ensure its survival.

The latest measures include reducing its fleet even further than previously announced and shrinking its route network as the airline continues to contract to a fraction of its pre-bankruptcy size.

Spirit Airlines to cut fleet to less than 80 aircraft
On 13 March, Spirit Airlines provided investors with an update on its restructuring plan that it hopes will see it exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming months.

Under the latest plan, Spirit expects to shrink its fleet to between 76 and 80 aircraft by the third quarter of this year, down from 214 aircraft when the airline entered bankruptcy in August 2025.

According to Planespotters.net, Spirit’s current fleet stands at around 125 aircraft, meaning the carrier still plans to remove a further 45 to 50 aircraft from its operations.

The airline said the planned reductions would help cut debt and lower operating costs.

“The planned adjustment will further reduce Spirit’s debt, lease obligations and aircraft costs,” the company said in a statement.

Spirit added that it expects to begin expanding its fleet again between 2027 and 2030, in line with profitable growth opportunities.

Along with fleet, Spirit Airlines’ network faces further cuts
A smaller fleet inevitably means fewer routes.

Throughout its Chapter 11 process, Spirit has steadily reduced its network and closed unprofitable bases in an effort to limit losses. During summer 2025 alone, the airline cut around 25% of its flying programme, a period when low-cost carriers typically generate the bulk of their annual revenue.

The restructuring has already resulted in the closure of 11 bases across the United States, including Portland and Oakland on the West Coast and Chattanooga and Birmingham in the east.

More than 21 routes were eliminated as a result of these closures. Of those, 67% faced direct competition from other airlines, highlighting Spirit’s difficulties competing on routes where rivals operate.

The airline has also scaled back its operations at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, cutting 23 routes over the past year and leaving just 14 remaining from the 37 it operated a year ago.

Available seat capacity from Las Vegas has fallen by around 71% year-on-year.

“Spirit will continue to align its network with consumer demand and focus on its strongest routes and markets,” the airline said.

The company added that it plans to increase aircraft utilisation on peak days, reduce off-peak flying and maintain flexibility to adjust capacity seasonally.

How Spirit Airlines intends to exit Chapter 11
Spirit has previously said it expects to emerge from Chapter 11 restructuring in late spring or early summer, following an agreement in principle with creditors that would dramatically reduce its debt.

Under the plan outlined in the US Bankruptcy Court, the airline expects to cut debt and lease obligations from around $7.4 billion to roughly $2.1 billion.

Annualised fleet costs are projected to fall by more than 65% compared with pre-bankruptcy levels, largely due to the steep reduction in the airline’s operating fleet.

As part of the restructuring, Spirit plans to focus operations on a smaller number of core markets, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Detroit and the New York City area.

Another element of Spirit’s recovery plan involves expanding higher-yield cabin products.

The airline said it will continue rolling out its Spirit First and Premium Economy offerings, including the addition of a third row of the carrier’s “Big Front Seat”.

While Spirit built its business on dense single-class aircraft with extremely low fares, increased competition from US legacy carriers has forced the airline to adapt its model.

Full-service airlines have increasingly moved into Spirit’s traditional markets with a wider range of cabin options and fare bundles, making it harder for the ultra-low-cost carrier to compete purely on price.

Before entering Chapter 11, Spirit began shifting its strategy to attract higher-spending passengers while maintaining its low-cost identity.

“Spirit intends to expand its Spirit First and Premium Economy products… while continuing to lead the industry on price and focus on value,” the airline said.

Spirit to come back to a very different market
pirit now expects to emerge from Chapter 11 as a far smaller airline, operating a reduced fleet primarily made up of older Airbus A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft across a more limited route network.

Chief executive Dave Davis has described the strategy as creating a “strong, leaner competitor.”

However, with a significantly smaller fleet and network, analysts are already questioning the airline’s long-term prospects.

The restructuring also comes at a time of increasing volatility in aviation fuel prices due to the conflict involving Iran and the wider instability in the Middle East.

Sharp swings in fuel prices could introduce further uncertainty into Spirit’s recovery plans.

If rising fuel costs lead to higher fares or reduced passenger demand, the airline’s fragile restructuring efforts could face additional pressure just as it attempts to exit bankruptcy protection.

For now, Spirit’s future depends on whether the dramatically smaller airline emerging from Chapter 11 can compete effectively in a US domestic market dominated by larger and better-capitalised carriers.

https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/spirit-airlines-further-aircraft-fleet-reductions/

 






Atlas Air Worldwide becomes Airbus’ largest A350F freighter customer with an order for 20 aircraft

Toulouse, France, 16 March 2026 – Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (“Atlas”), a global leader in airfreight logistics based in the United States in New York, has placed a landmark firm order for 20 Airbus A350F freighters. The order is the largest ever placed for the latest generation fuel efficient A350F and makes Atlas the biggest customer of the type. 

The A350F aircraft will be deployed for growth. As a leading outsourced aviation logistics company, Atlas is uniquely positioned to bring the A350F’s next-generation performance to global operators across a wide variety of business models and markets.

“We are proud to become the largest customer for the Airbus A350F, securing early delivery positions for this next-generation widebody freighter platform,” said Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “This order reflects our commitment to maintaining the industry’s most modern and fuel-efficient widebody freighter fleet to best service existing and new customers worldwide. The A350F is a highly capable, reliable platform, with incremental payload and range benefits, and a strong sustainability profile. We are pleased to add Airbus and Rolls-Royce to our supplier base of leading aircraft and engine manufacturers, offering us optionality and supporting our global operations and continued growth.” 

“We are excited to welcome Atlas Air Worldwide, a global leader of the air cargo industry, to the Airbus family,” said Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “Atlas Air’s selection of the latest generation A350F - the first in the US - represents a pivotal moment, cementing the A350F’s position as the preferred true all new-generation freighter for the world’s most demanding cargo operators. We very much look forward to seeing it flying in Atlas’ colours."

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.

About Atlas Air Worldwide 

Atlas Air Worldwide is the world’s leader in outsourced aviation logistics. The Company is the parent of Atlas Air, Inc., Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. With approximately 5,000 employees, the Atlas Air Worldwide companies serve a diversified customer roster across the global supply chain in more than 300 destinations in 90 countries. 

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-03-atlas-air-worldwide-becomes-airbus-largest-a350f-freighter-customer-with-an-order-for-20-aircraft

 







First Airbus A220 hull loss confirmed after ground fire destroys airBaltic jet

With almost a decade of airline operations behind it, the Airbus A220 has had an excellent yet not unblemished safety record since its introduction in 2016.

Details have emerged of a maintenance-related incident last year that led to the loss of an airBaltic Airbus A220-300, marking what is believed to be the first hull loss of the type since it entered service in July 2016.

Ground incident resulted in the loss of an airBaltic Airbus A220
On 14 June 2025, an airBaltic Airbus A220 was undergoing maintenance at Riga Airport. The aircraft in question was YL-AAO, the first Airbus A220 to be delivered to the airline and named Jelgava.

According to Planespotters.net, the affected aircraft had been in storage since September 2024 and was undergoing heavy maintenance ahead of a planned return to service. As part of post-maintenance procedures, engineers conducted a mandatory auxiliary power unit (APU) ground run.

During the test, a fire reportedly broke out in the centre section of the aircraft, which caused severe heat damage to the fuselage and wing root section. The source of the fire was later identified as the ozone filter on the aircraft.

Airbus describes the ozone filter as a key component of the Environmental Control System (ECS), designed to convert harmful ozone in high-altitude air into oxygen before it enters the cabin. The catalytic unit also helps remove odours, including kerosene fumes.

The aircraft was grounded after the fire and remained at Riga Airport to await further technical inspection from insurance assessors and specialist engineers from Airbus.

However, a full assessment in December 2025 by Airbus Engineering concluded the aircraft was beyond economic repair, leading to its permanent withdrawal from service. The aircraft was fully insured and operated under an operating lease at the time of the incident.

In a statement to Aerospace Global News, airBaltic said:

“In 2025, during scheduled technical maintenance in Riga, while performing a ground operational test of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), an Airbus A220-300 aircraft with the registration YL-AAO sustained significant thermal damage in the fuselage and wing attachment area, within the ozone filter unit.

“Following an assessment, Airbus representatives concluded that restoring the aircraft would not be economically viable. The investigation determined that the maintenance work had been carried out in accordance with all applicable procedures in force at the time.

“The aircraft was financed under an operating lease and was insured. An insurance claim has been submitted in relation to the incident, and the review process is currently ongoing.”

Further details of the A220-300 lost in the incident
YL-AAO was delivered new to airBaltic from Airbus’s Montreal facility in March 2019 and entered service later that month. At the time of the incident, it was just 6.3 years old.

The aircraft was powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1521G-3 engines and configured with 148 seats in a single-class layout.

airBaltic remains one of the largest A220 operators, with 53 aircraft in service. Delta Air Lines is the largest globally, with around 84.

Overview of the Airbus A220’s safety record
Throughout its almost decade-long service life, the Airbus A220 has had a generally excellent safety record, with the loss of YL-AAO being the first of the type to be written off as a result of an incident or accident.

While there have been several minor events involving the A220 over the years, none have resulted in the loss of the aircraft as a result.

There have, however, been two incidents where fatalities have resulted from Airbus A220 operations. On 23 December 2024, Swiss International Air Lines flight LX1885, an Airbus A220-300 registered as HB-JCD, suffered an engine failure and a smoke event during the cruise phase of flight.

After an emergency diversion to Graz Airport (GRZ) in Austria, two cabin crew members were taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation. One of the crew members died on December 30 as a result of their injuries.

Earlier that same year, on 1 January 2024, a 30-year-old Utah resident was found unresponsive in the engine nacelle of a Delta A220 that was undergoing de-icing procedures at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

The individual had entered the boundary of the airport illegally and had been ingested into the engine of the aircraft, which was being prepared for departure to San Francisco.

Additionally, while not involved in an incident or accident, at least one A220 has already been broken up for parts due to a shortage of spares for the fleet.

The aircraft, a former Egyptair example, was acquired by leasing firm Azorra in 2025, which partnered with Delta Material Services (DMS) to have the industry’s first Airbus A220 parted out. It explained that the aircraft would be used to support the needs of Delta and other airlines by providing parts. 

https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/airbus-a220-first-hull-loss-airbaltic/

 








 
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