Flight Safety Information - March 31, 2026 No. 064 In This Issue : Incident: Lufthansa A321 at Frankfurt on Mar 29th 2026, rejected takeoff due to wildlife strike : Incident: Delta A333 at Sao Paulo on Mar 29th 2026, engine failure starts fire on ground : Incident: Delta B739 near Richmond on Mar 27th 2026, engine failure : Accident: Malta Air B738 near Toulouse on Mar 29th 2026, turbulence jolts luggage : American Airlines Passengers Reportedly Told ‘Put Your Hands Up’ After FBI Responds to ‘Disruptive’ Incident on Board : LaGuardia controller staffing may have violated procedures on night of collision, document shows : Frontier A320 Pilots Makes Emergency Landing at Atlanta Amid Bomb Threat : Woman allegedly shines laser at airplane, fakes medical emergency to avoid arrest : A US Marine is detained after TSA finds a live 25 mm explosive round in his checked bag : United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Jackson : Bombardier delivers first Global 8000 aircraft to NetJets : Aviation experts warn aging equipment at Potomac TRACON threatens DC air traffic flow : Calendar of Events Incident: Lufthansa A321 at Frankfurt on Mar 29th 2026, rejected takeoff due to wildlife strike A Lufthansa Airbus A321-200, registration D-AISC performing flight LH-1314 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Malta (Malta), was accelerating for takeoff from Frankfurt's runway 18 at high speed (about 135 knots over ground) due to a suspected rabbit strike. The aircraft slowed safely, emergency services responded and checked the brakes. The aircraft was able to depart again about 90 minutes later and reached Malta without further incident. https://avherald.com/h?article=53739d8a&opt=0 Incident: Delta A333 at Sao Paulo on Mar 29th 2026, engine failure starts fire on ground A Delta Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration N813NW performing flight DL-104 from Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP (Brazil) to Atlanta,GA (USA) with 272 passengers and 14 crew, was climbing out of Guarulhos' runway 10L when the left hand engine (PW4168) emitted a series of bangs, streaks of flames, sparks and debris, tower advised of fire in their wing. Debris ejected from the engine started a brush fire within the airport perimeter (see at 04:42 minutes into the ground observer video below). The aircraft stopped the climb at about 4500 feet MSL and returned to Guarulhos for a safe landing on runway 10L about 11 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled. The airline reported a mechanical problem with the left engine. The aircraft is still on the ground in Guarulhos about 15 hours after landing back. Brazil's CENIPA have opened an investigation. https://avherald.com/h?article=53731ac8&opt=0 Incident: Delta B739 near Richmond on Mar 27th 2026, engine failure A Delta Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration N908DN performing flight DL-1082 from Atlanta,GA to Hartford,CT (USA) with 83 people on board, was enroute at FL330 about 110nm southwest of Richmond,VA (USA) when the crew reported a large vibration of the left engine (CFM56) followed by big bang. The aircraft drifted down and diverted to Richmond for a safe landing on runway 34 about 35 minutes later. The crew requested attending emergency services to check the left hand side of the aircraft and left hand engine for damage. The aircraft taxied to the apron about 11 minutes after landing. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N818DA reached Hartford with a delay of about 4 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 49 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=53732932&opt=0 Accident: Malta Air B738 near Toulouse on Mar 29th 2026, turbulence jolts luggage A Malta Air Boeing 737-800 on behalf of Ryanair, registration 9H-QEP performing flight FR-4017 from Porto (Portugal) to Milan Malpensa (Italy), was enroute at FL340 over the Pyrenees when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing luggage to fall onto passengers. Four passengers received injuries prompting the crew to divert to Toulouse (France) for a safe landing about 20 minutes later. One passenger suffered a dislocated shoulder, another a neck injury. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration 9H-QAS reached Milan with a delay of about 3:45 hours. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 14 hours, then resumed service. https://avherald.com/h?article=5373231c&opt=0 American Airlines Passengers Reportedly Told ‘Put Your Hands Up’ After FBI Responds to ‘Disruptive’ Incident on Board A spokesperson for the FBI Detroit Field Office confirmed to PEOPLE that personnel were “conducting law enforcement activities” at DTW Airport on Sunday, March 29 American Airlines flight 2819 from New York to Chicago was diverted to Detroit due to a disruptive passenger on board The airline confirmed law enforcement met the plane when it landed in Detroit as a result of the incident The flight later continued to Chicago after a delay of several hours at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport An American Airlines flight heading to Chicago was forced to divert to Detroit after a passenger caused a serious disruption on board. On Sunday, March 29, American Airlines flight 2819 diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), where it landed safely following an incident with a “disruptive customer,” a spokesperson for the airline tells PEOPLE in a statement. Once the plane landed, “law enforcement and medical personnel met the flight and the customer deplaned,” the airline adds. A spokesperson for the FBI Detroit Field Office confirmed to PEOPLE that personnel were “conducting law enforcement activities” at DTW Airport at the time. Speaking to CBS News, passengers who were on the flight described the alleged scene on board after the plane touched down in Detroit. "There was a guy who came on the plane with a machine gun, and we're being told, 'Put your head down and hands up,'" a passenger named Esther Sutofsky told the outlet. Passenger Sona Jones said the ordeal was “pretty spooky” and that the day ended up being “awfully long for all of us.” She also said she thought the kids on board “handled it well.” Jones told CBS News that she recalled hearing the unruly passenger say something along the lines of, “'If you don't land this plane, I'm going to, I'll blow it, the plane,' or, 'If you don't land this plane, I'm going to do something to it, and you will see.'" Meanwhile, passenger Gerry Sutofsky said they were about an hour from Chicago when the passenger’s outburst started. "And about an hour out of Chicago, we hear this person in the back screaming, yelling: 'No! No! No!' And he's not going to — 'I can't get off the plane!'" the passenger said. "According to the people who came on the plane, he was threatening — he said there was a bomb." While no additional details were provided by the FBI, the agency added that “there was no threat to the public during that time.” According to data provided by FlightAware, American Airlines 2819 departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York at 8:59 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 29. Instead of landing at its destination, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), it was diverted to DTW where it landed at 11:08 a.m. local time. The duration of the flight was just over two hours. The flight later departed from DTW at 7:08 p.m. local time and reached ORD in less than an hour. 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. The incident comes days after another American Airlines flight was met by emergency vehicles on Wednesday, March 25, due to a “malfunction” on board. A large presence of emergency vehicles responded to American Airlines flight 1461, a Boeing 737-800 that had departed from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), when it landed at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey following reports of a “malfunctioning landing gear” from the flight crew. A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the aircraft landed with a “blown nose-gear tire” in a statement shared with PEOPLE at the time. The department noted that Boeing 737 aircrafts have two nose-gear tires so the second tire would have still been functional. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/american-airlines-flight-forced-divert-164701070.html LaGuardia controller staffing may have violated procedures on night of collision, document shows NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) - Air traffic controller staffing at LaGuardia airport on the night an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck may have violated the facility's procedures by combining roles before midnight, according to a document seen by Reuters. The crash at the ‌New York airport at about 11:37 p.m. ET on March 22, which killed both pilots, has revived concerns over U.S. air traffic control staffing ‌shortages and the workload of controllers across the country. Staffing shortages, including at the supervisor level, are placing controllers into combined roles handling local air and ground traffic more often, according to several air traffic controllers across the country. The National Transportation Safety Board said last week that as part of its crash investigation, it was seeking information on the duties being performed by each controller. If the controller involved in the crash was performing both air and ground duties, that would be inconsistent with the LaGuardia tower's standard operating procedures. An NTSB final report on a 1997 collision at LaGuardia between a private jet and a vehicle referenced new procedures being put in place afterward to ensure "local and ground positions shall not be combined prior ‌to" midnight at the New York airport. As of 2023, ⁠the rule remained in place, according to a LaGuardia Tower Standard Operating Procedures document seen by Reuters. "Positions at LaGuardia Tower are not to be consolidated to one position prior to midnight local time or 90 minutes after the start of the shift, whichever ⁠is later," said the 2023 document, which people familiar with the matter said remained current in 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration, which runs U.S. air traffic control, did not respond to a request for comment. CONTROLLER DUTIES NOT CLEAR NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters last week that two controllers were working in a glass-enclosed section of the airport's control tower at the time of the accident. There was a local controller managing the active runways and the immediate airspace and a controller-in-charge who was also providing pilots with departure clearance, ‌she said. "It is not clear who was conducting the duties of the ground controller. We have conflicting information," she said, referring to the position that manages all aircraft and vehicle movements on the taxiways, generally excluding active runways. Multiple current and retired controllers said they believed the local controller who was managing the active runways was also handling traffic on the ground, based on audio posted by LiveATC.net. The NTSB did not return a request for comment. Air crash investigations typically find accidents result from multiple contributing factors, rather than a single cause. COMBINING POSITIONS The controller-in-charge, who is responsible for safety of operations, signed in at 10:30 p.m. while the local controller signed on at ‌10:45 p.m., the NTSB's Homendy said. According to the LaGuardia standard operating procedures document, the local and ground positions should not have been combined until midnight at the earliest. The document also states positions will only be consolidated as traffic warrants. If positions are consolidated, as traffic volume increases, the positions will be de-combined, the document stated. On the night of the Air Canada crash, weather-related delays resulted ‌in 70 commercial flights taking off or landing at the airport between 10 p.m. and 11:37 p.m., compared with an average of 53 in the same time frame since 2022, according to Cirium data. Several controllers interviewed by Reuters described the workload that night as busy and said other controllers would typically be brought in or stay on past their normal shift end time to manage the heavier-than-scheduled number of flights. The local and ground positions should have stayed uncombined ‌until at least midnight, said a current New York-area controller on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak with media. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/laguardia-controller-staffing-may-violated-100435986.html Frontier A320 Pilots Makes Emergency Landing at Atlanta Amid Bomb Threat Frontier flight F9-2539 triggers Level 4 alert, isolated for 2 hours at Atlanta Airport after passenger bomb threat incident. ATLANTA— Frontier Airlines (F9) made an emergency landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) after pilots reported a possible security threat onboard during final approach. The Airbus A320 operating a domestic flight from Columbus (CMH) was immediately diverted to a remote taxiway following landing. The incident triggered a Level 4 security alert, which indicates a suspected or attempted cockpit breach, prompting a full-scale emergency response. Authorities isolated the aircraft away from active operations while law enforcement teams secured the situation and ensured passenger safety. Frontier Flight Bomb Threat Frontier flight F9 2539 landed safely on Runway 8L before being directed to a remote section of the airfield. The aircraft was moved to an unused taxiway, where emergency responders surrounded it as a precaution. Airport operations continued without disruption due to the airport’s large capacity and ability to isolate incidents. The aircraft remained stationary for nearly two hours while authorities assessed the threat and prepared for intervention. Passengers were eventually deplaned using mobile stairs onto the tarmac under controlled conditions. Officials then initiated a thorough inspection of the aircraft to rule out any additional risks. Threat Details Authorities later confirmed that a passenger seated near the front of the aircraft made serious threats during the flight. The individual reportedly threatened another passenger and claimed that there was an explosive device onboard. Such threats are treated as high-risk incidents under international aviation safety protocols. A Level 4 classification reflects the highest level of concern, as it involves potential threats to cockpit security and overall flight safety. A SWAT team responded to the scene and removed the passenger from the aircraft without further escalation, PYOK reported. Law enforcement agencies continued their investigation while ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew. Another Aviation Incident On the same day, a separate inflight disturbance led to another emergency diversion involving American Airlines (AA). Flight AA2819, operating from New York JFK Airport (JFK) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) after a passenger caused a disturbance onboard. The aircraft was also isolated upon landing, and law enforcement officials, including federal authorities, responded to the situation. While details remain limited, the incident highlights a broader pattern of disruptive passenger behavior affecting airline operations. Aviation authorities continue to enforce strict regulations to manage such risks, with severe penalties for individuals who threaten flight safety. Offenders in cases involving false bomb threats or violent behavior can face significant legal consequences, including lengthy prison sentences. The Frontier Airlines incident underscores the importance of rapid response procedures and coordination between flight crews and ground authorities. Airlines remain vigilant in handling onboard threats to maintain safety and operational integrity across global aviation networks. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/03/31/frontier-flight-emergency-landing-at-atlanta-amid-bomb-threat/ Woman allegedly shines laser at airplane, fakes medical emergency to avoid arrest A Parkland area woman was arrested on felony charges after she allegedly pointed a laser at a Washington State Patrol (WSP) airplane. Around 10:30 p.m. on March 27, deputies were notified by the WSP, from their aircraft, that they were being actively targeted by a green laser from the ground. The subject could be seen by the aircraft in a backyard in the Parkland area. “From the aircraft, the Washington State Patrol was able to lead our deputies to the suspect’s location, providing a very detailed description of the suspect’s clothing and where they were located,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Carly Cappetto said. While deputies were en route, the suspect continued to shine the laser at the aircraft. When the deputies arrived, the suspect reportedly fled into a home. Woman allegedly tried to avoid arrest after WSP laser incident She eventually came out and was taken into custody without incident. But not before spending more than 30 minutes allegedly trying to evade arrest by making reportedly false statements about having medical issues and other reasons why she couldn’t go to jail. The Tacoma Fire Department arrived and determined the suspect didn’t have any of the issues that she reported. The suspect then made one last effort to evade arrest by collapsing. The 31-year-old was taken to the hospital to rule out any medical issues. She was later cleared from the hospital and booked into the Pierce County Jail for felony unlawful discharge of a laser in the first degree and obstructing a law enforcement officer. “It’s dangerous enough to warrant these felony charges. It can blind the pilot. It can cause damage. It can also disrupt the operation of the aircraft,” Cappetto said. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/woman-allegedly-shines-laser-airplane-fakes-medical-emergency-avoid-arrest/RRQC2ZOCEJFZVOUJY3PRA4RRYE/ A US Marine is detained after TSA finds a live 25 mm explosive round in his checked bag PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — A U.S. Marine was detained at a California airport after Transportation Security Administration personnel found a live 25 mm explosive round in his checked baggage, police said. The round was found during the screening process of checked luggage at Palm Springs International Airport on Monday, the Palm Springs Police Department said in a news release. The Marine told investigators he found the round “in the field” about a year ago and kept it, thinking it wasn’t live. “Due to extensive rust and corrosion, the round’s original identifying paint markings were no longer visible, making it difficult to determine whether it was an inert training munition or a live explosive device,” police said in the news release. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team used X-ray technology to confirm that it was a live round. The team took it to a desert area near Interstate 10, where it was destroyed, the news release said. No one was hurt. Police said they submitted the case to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for a review of potential violations and criminal charges. An email seeking comment was sent to the district attorney’s office Tuesday. The Marine, who was released to military authorities, could face administrative action by the Marine Corps and a potential civil penalty through the TSA, police said. Emails seeking comment were sent to both organizations. https://apnews.com/article/marine-detained-california-airport-live-explosive-round-9c454c140e516da9f28823c3e749c454 United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Jackson JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - United Airlines flight 4302 made an unscheduled landing at the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport shortly before noon on Monday, according to JMAA. It was originally on its way to Houston, Texas, from Knoxville, Tennessee. Air traffic control audio obtained by 3 On Your Side indicates that the plane experienced an emergency during flight involving its left engine. The flight crew told Jackson’s tower that there was no fire or immediate danger. The pilot requested that Jackson dispatch emergency vehicles to inspect the plane once it landed safely. JMAA spokesperson LSherie Dean says they found no debris or fire when they examined the engine. She says the plane is still grounded and the 37 passengers were placed on another aircraft to continue their flight to Houston. https://www.wlbt.com/2026/03/30/united-airlines-flight-makes-emergency-landing-jackson/ Bombardier delivers first Global 8000 aircraft to NetJets Launch customer receives the first of the 24 business jets it ordered. Bombardier celebrated the delivery of the first Global 8000 aircraft to fleet launch customer NetJets, a valued longtime customer and a world leader in private aviation. The delivery took place at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in the presence of employees, NetJets leadership, and special guests. With its range of 8,000nm (16.75 hours) and a top speed of Mach 0.95 (627mph), the Bombardier Global 8000 business jet expands route options, while allowing NetJets customers to reach their destinations faster and in greater comfort. With this most recent addition, NetJets plans to build a 24-strong fleet of Global 8000 aircraft and will be working with Bombardier to upgrade its entire in-service Global 7500 fleet to Global 8000 jets. NetJets could subsequently grow its fleet through a series of options that could be exercised progressively over the coming years. “The Global 8000 is redefining the business aviation landscape with its unmatched performance, signature smooth ride, and innovative design, and we are thrilled to be providing our longtime, valued partner NetJets with its first Global 8000 aircraft,” said Éric Martel, president and CEO, Bombardier. “Our long-standing partnership with Bombardier has been built on a shared vision of excellence and innovation in business aviation,” said Patrick Gallagher, president, NetJets Aviation. “The Global 8000 is the ultimate expression of that partnership, and we are proud to be the first to bring this remarkable aircraft to our fleet. The range and features of the Global 8000 aircraft perfectly align with NetJets’ commitment to offering safety, service, and access at an extraordinary level and empowering owners to do more and miss less.” The Global 8000 offer a range of 8,000nm (16.75 hours), enabling nonstop travel between more city pairs. The aircraft has takeoff and landing performance comparable to that of a light jet. Its advanced wing design features leading-edge slats enable passengers to land at up to 30% more airports – the equivalent of more than 2,000 destinations – than its closest rival. Inside, the Global 8000 aircraft sets a high bar in luxury and comfort. The business jet features the longest seated length in its class along with cabin features such as Bombardier’s Pũr Air System, Soleil circadian lighting system, and the lowest cabin altitude in production, all designed to maximize passenger comfort and prevent the effects of jet lag. Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,200 aircraft, supported by a network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Originally incorporated in 1964 as Executive Jet Airways, NetJets is a Berkshire Hathaway company. The NetJets portfolio of distinctive companies, encompassing NetJets, Executive Jet Management, QS Partners, and QS Security, offers a variety of customizable travel solutions, including shared ownership, lease and jet card options, aircraft management, private jet chartering, brokerage and acquisition services, and specialized security services. https://www.aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com/news/bombardier-delivers-first-global-8000-aircraft-netjets/ Aviation experts warn aging equipment at Potomac TRACON threatens DC air traffic flow WASHINGTON (7News) — Aviation experts are sounding the alarm about old equipment inside an FAA radar facility that's critical for moving planes in and out of the busy DC airspace. It's called the Potomac TRACON. In the last few weeks, issues have put flights on hold for hours. The facility is on MacIntosh Drive in Warrenton. The FAA told 7News it could not accommodate an interview on Monday, but sent a YouTube video showing how vital the facility is. Last Friday, a device similar to a surge protector failed. Three weeks ago, the Fauquier County Fire Department had to evacuate the entire building because of a strong chemical smell. Further investigation traced that issue to an overheated circuit board. Secretary Sean Duffy has spoken previously about the urgent need to modernize an air control system that seems ancient by modern standards. "I think our country, our people, those who use the airspace, they deserve this moment in time to actually deliver an air traffic control system that's going to keep them safe," said Duffy last May. The Potomac Tracon is the 4th largest in the country and manages flights for DCA, Dulles, BWI, as well as Richmond and Charlottesville. https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/faa-dc-airspace-potomac-tracon-facility-bwi-dulles-dca-sean-duffy-surge-proetector 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