Flight Safety Information - April 7, 2026 No. 069 In This Issue : Incident: Swiss A20N near Brussels on Apr 6th 2026, indication of possible fire in cabin : Incident: Frontier A21N near Nashville on Mar 30th 2026, engine rolled back in flight : Incident: AirAsia A320 at Kuala Lumpur on Apr 4th 2026, part of cabin ceiling collapsed on landing : Accident: Frontier A321 enroute on Apr 2nd 2026, fumes on board : Incident: Frontier A20N at Trenton on Apr 5th 2026, tail strike : Learjet 60 - Runway Overrun (New Jersey) : Flight Aborts Over Pacific Ocean After Terrifying Emergency : Airline pilots must be given final say on flying in war zones, aviators' group says : ICAO Council condemns Iran for unlawful airspace violations affecting civil aviation safety : New Resource Helps Reduce the Risks of Circle-to-Land Approaches : White House Appoints Michael Graham as NTSB Vice Chair : FAA proposes to hire 2,300 air traffic controllers in budget request : Calendar of Events Incident: Swiss A20N near Brussels on Apr 6th 2026, indication of possible fire in cabin A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration HB-JDH performing flight LX-325 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Zurich (Switzerland), was enroute at FL350 about 30nm southwest of Brussels (Belgium) when the crew decided to divert to Brussels reporting indication of a possible fire in the cabin. The aircraft landed safely on Brussels' runway 07L about 20 minutes later, vacated the runway and stopped on the parallel taxiway. The crew queried emergency services whether an evacuation at the left hand side was possible but asked for stairs at the same time. About an hour after stopping on the parallel taxiway the aircraft continued to the apron. The aircraft is still in Brussels about 4 hours after landing. The airline reported the aircraft diverted due to an unusual odour from the forward galley. All passengers and crew disembarked normally, the passengers were taken to hotels. https://avherald.com/h?article=53781bf8&opt=0 Incident: Frontier A21N near Nashville on Mar 30th 2026, engine rolled back in flight A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration N622FR performing flight F9-6 from Saint Louis,MO (USA) to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), was enroute at FL330 about 50nm southeast of Nashville,TN (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Nashville. The aircraft landed safely on Nashville's runway 20L about 25 minutes later. A passenger reported there were strange noises, then the captain announced one of the engines (PW1133G) had rolled back. Other passengers reported seeing flames from an engine. A replacement A321-200N registration N629FR reached Punta Cana with a delay of about 10 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Nashville until Apr 6th 2026, then positioned to Orlando,FL (USA). https://avherald.com/h?article=537811ed&opt=0 Incident: AirAsia A320 at Kuala Lumpur on Apr 4th 2026, part of cabin ceiling collapsed on landing An AirAsia Airbus A320-200, registration 9M-AFE performing flight AK-720 from Singapore (Singapore) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), landed on Kuala Lumpur's runway 15 when upon touch down part of the cabin ceiling separated and fell onto the seats below. The aircraft rolled out without further incident. There were no injuries. The airline reported a section of the cabin ceiling became loose and dislodged just as the aircraft was landing. The seats below that section were unoccupied, there were no injuries to passengers and crew. https://avherald.com/h?article=53780235&opt=0 Accident: Frontier A321 enroute on Apr 2nd 2026, fumes on board A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N715FR performing flight F9-1974 from Dallas Ft. Worth,TX to Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA), was enroute when the crew declared emergency reporting fumes on board. The aircraft continued to Fort Lauderdale for a safe landing on runway 10L. There were a number of minor injuries. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY DUE TO FUMES AND PASSENGERS AND FLIGHT CREW WERE USING SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL.", stated there were minor injuries to 5 cabin crew. The aircraft returned to service about 33 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5377f8c8&opt=0 Incident: Frontier A20N at Trenton on Apr 5th 2026, tail strike A Frontier Airbus A320-200N, registration N413FR performing flight F9-1690 from Tampa,FL to Trenton,NJ (USA), was on final approach to Trenton's runway 06 when the crew initiated a go around, positioned for another approach to runway 06 and initiated another go around from very low height, climbed to 4000 feet and entered holds. The aircraft landed on runway 06 about 55 minutes after the second go around. The return flight was cancelled. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TAIL STRIKE ON LANDING, TRENTON, NJ." The aircraft is still on the ground in Trenton about 26 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5377f74f&opt=0 Learjet 60 - Runway Overrun (New Jersey) Date: Monday 6 April 2026 Time: c. 18:24 LT Type: Learjet 60 Owner/operator: N732RJ LLC Registration: N732RJ MSN: 60-407 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Minor Location: Teterboro Airport (TEB/KTEB), NJ - United States of America Phase: Landing Nature: Executive Departure airport: New Orleans-Louis Armstrong International Airport, LA (MSY/KMSY) Destination airport: Teterboro Airport, NJ (TEB/KTEB) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Learjet 60 overran runway 24 when landing at Teterboro Airport (TEB/KTEB), New Jersey. The six occupants were not injured and the aircraft received minor damage. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/568898 Flight Aborts Over Pacific Ocean After Terrifying Emergency A long-haul flight was forced to turn around just four hours into the journey due to a medical emergency on board. Qantas Flight QF7, en route from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, was abruptly halted over the North Fiji Basin when crew members decided that a passenger required urgent medical attention on the ground. The pilots surveyed the situation, dumped fuel into the ocean and cut short what was supposed to be a 17-hour journey, one of the longest nonstop passenger routes in the world. In the event of an emergency landing early in a flight’s path during a long-haul journey, pilots are required to dump fuel to get below the maximum safe landing weight. The double-decker A380 jet landed at Sydney Airport late Sunday evening, and the stricken passenger was rushed to the hospital. At the time of writing, the onward journey still hasn’t reached Dallas. “Our crew provided immediate medical assistance onboard and made the decision to return to Sydney to ensure the passenger could receive the necessary care,” a spokesperson said. Some flyers faced delays of 24 hours or more, the International Business Times reported. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers and are working to rebook them on alternative flights as quickly as possible,” the statement continued. There has been no update on the ill passenger’s health. “Really hoping the person who had the medical emergency is okay,” Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker, who was one of the passengers, wrote on social media. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/flight-aborts-over-pacific-ocean-135105924.html Airline pilots must be given final say on flying in war zones, aviators' group says MONTREAL, April 7 (Reuters) - Pilots must be given a "final and non-negotiable" say allowing them to refuse to fly over or within conflict zones without influence from ‌commercial pressures, global union group International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) said. The position paper on Monday from IFALPA comes as the six-week-long Iran war is reshaping airspace across the Middle East and increasing disruptions to flights due to drone and missile attacks and interceptions, heightening safety risks for airline crew members and their passengers. Montreal-based IFALPA said airlines should recognize how conflict zone operations can create mental and emotional strain in the cockpit. "The Commander’s decision regarding the conduct or rerouting of a flight, including ⁠refusal to overfly a conflict zone, must be final and non-negotiable," the paper said. "Additionally, this decision must not be influenced by financial or other incentives, career repercussions or other penalties, or commercial pressures." While many carriers have canceled services to affected destinations, Dubai-based Emirates is now operating at about 69% of its normal capacity and Qatar Airways at 26%, according to Flightradar24 data. That equates to hundreds of flights per day in airspace that has been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. Advertisement · Scroll to continue The United Arab Emirates has instituted "safe corridors" with specific flight paths, but planes still regularly enter holding patterns during attacks and in some cases have been turned back or diverted to other destinations when airspace was closed temporarily. Qatar Airways said "the safety of our passengers and crew remains paramount" and all flights to and from ‌Doha ⁠were being operated through dedicated flight corridors established in close coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Emirates, which has also said it prioritizes safety, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The IFALPA paper said airlines needed to provide pilots operating in conflict zones with mitigation measures like post-flight recuperation time and confidential support. "If rerouting, delay, holding, elevated workload, diversion complexity, or sector uncertainty are recurrent and foreseeable, they should be incorporated ⁠into scheduling assumptions, fatigue controls, and roster buffers with additional safety margins such as augmented crew rostering, rather than repeatedly managed as an ad hoc exception," it said. Separately on Monday, the United Nations aviation agency said its governing council condemned Iran for unlawful airspace violations against Gulf neighbors like ⁠the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia affecting civil aviation safety. "The council deplored Iran’s illegal use of unmanned aircraft systems for military purposes against civilian infrastructure over the territories of the affected member states," the International Civil Aviation Organization said in a statement. The council's ⁠decision follows a paper submitted by multiple Arab states over Iran's use of weaponized drones against its neighbors, a source familiar with the matter said. Iran has submitted a separate paper regarding its territory that is to be heard during a future council session, although the source was not familiar with specific details. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/airline-pilots-must-be-given-final-say-flying-war-zones-aviators-group-says-2026-04-07/ ICAO Council condemns Iran for unlawful airspace violations affecting civil aviation safety ICAO Council condemns Iran for unlawful airspace violations affecting aviation safety Montréal, 06 April 2026 – Through its decision adopted on 31 March 2026, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) condemned the violation by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, including their sovereign airspaces, contrary to Article 1 of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). The Council deplored Iran's illegal use of unmanned aircraft systems for military purposes against civilian infrastructure over the territories of the affected Member States. Recalling the purposes and principles of the Chicago Convention, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), as well as relevant resolutions of the ICAO Assembly, the Council highlighted that such actions are inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Emphasizing the serious and ongoing risk to the safety of civil aviation arising from unauthorized military incursions into airspace and the resulting disruption of civil air operations in the region, the Council underscored the paramount importance of preserving the safety and security of international civil aviation. The Council urgently called upon Iran to cease its unlawful activities and respect its obligations under the Chicago Convention and other relevant international civil aviation treaties. Resources for Editors About ICAO Leading international civil aviation as a crucial driver of social and economic development, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is accelerating progress towards zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions in air transport for everyone, everywhere, in line with its Long-Term Strategic Plan for 2050. ICAO works with its 193 Member States and all air transport stakeholders to develop standards and policies for international civil aviation, and undertakes planning and capacity building activities to support their implementation by Member States. Media Contact William Raillant-Clark ICAO Communications Officer media.relations@icao.int https://www.icao.int/news/icao-council-condemns-iran-unlawful-airspace-violations-affecting-civil-aviation-safety New Resource Helps Reduce the Risks of Circle-to-Land Approaches The Aviation Safety Information and Analysis Sharing (ASIAS) program, an FAA/industry partnership, recently conducted an analysis of circle-to-land approaches to identify contributing factors of safety issues related to the procedure. That analysis led to a new Circle-to-Land Approach Hazards resource for general aviation pilots and operators. Ten accidents involving Part 91 and 135 operators occurred during circle-to-land approaches between 2008 and 2023, resulting in 17 fatalities. ASIAS notes three key areas of interest for flight crews: There is a subset of airports where circling approaches are more common. Pilots should be aware of the circling approaches at these airports and conduct thorough pre-flight and pre-approach briefings. Flight crews should be aware of the circling approach obstacle protected airspace for the individual approach and airport, using all available tools to remain within the obstacle protection area. There’s a linkage between circling approaches and unstable approaches. “ASIAS completed this analysis following recent accidents, including those at Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKF) and Gillespie Field (SEE), involving a circle-to-land approach, noting these maneuvers often result in an unstable approach,” said Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations, and member of the ASIAS General Aviation Issues Analysis Team. “A stabilized approach reduces risk of loss of control in-flight and decreases the probability of some of the most common and fatal accident types,” he added. ASIAS identified 10 airports where circling approaches are conducted at a higher level than other airports across the system, including but not limited to: Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) Eagle Count Regional Airport (EGE) Long Beach Airport (LGB) Peachtree/Dekalb Airport (PDK) Scottsdale Airport (SDL) Teterboro Airport (TEB) an Nuys Airport (VNY) “While circling approaches are sometimes necessary due to airport environments or unfavorable winds, we know these approaches present increased risk,” Larsen added. “This resource is an opportunity to disseminate information collected and analyzed by ASIAS, highlighting those risks and providing mitigation strategies for pilots. In general, pilots should utilize an alternative option to a circling approach, especially when a straight-in approach is available to a suitable runway.” Teterboro Airport recently introduced a new instrument approach procedure, RNAV (GPS) RWY 01, meant to minimize the need for circle-to-land approaches. While offering the advantage of lateral and vertical guidance to the runway, the new IAP notably introduces a Visual Guidance Fix (VGF) and visual segment concept at TEB. Operators flying this approach should be familiar with VGF and ensure the approach is included in their database. The ASIAS circle-to-land resource also highlights the ongoing need for safety data-sharing. ASIAS utilizes data obtained through Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Aviation Safety Reporting System, Flight Operational Quality Assurance, air traffic control safety reports and more. “ASIAS’s ability to analyze data which leads to industry recommendations relies upon a stream of good data. NBAA encourages members to participate in safety data sharing programs, whether through ASAP, FOQA or other means,” said Larsen. “Data sharing is crucial to improving safety in the aviation industry as a whole.” NBAA member Part 135 operators can find additional circle-to-land approach information in a new resource, the NBAA Operations Specifications Guide: Demystifying Operations Specifications for Part 135 Operators. The guide provides plain-language explanations of the purpose of Operations Specifications (OpSpecs) and includes a deep-dive into OpSpec C075: Category 1 IFR Landing Minimums – Circle-to-Land Approach Maneuver. https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/safety/new-resource-helps-reduce-the-risks-of-circle-to-land-approaches/ White House Appoints Michael Graham as NTSB Vice Chair Graham has served on the board since 2020 and was renominated for a term extending through 2030 NTSB member Michael Graham was appointed to serve as vice chair, filling the slot vacated last year after the White House ousted Alvin Brown from the safety agency. Graham joined the Safety Board as the 45th member in January 2020 and has been nominated for a second term as a member that would extend through Dec. 31, 2030. His initial appointment as vice chair, meanwhile, is for three years. Appointment to the vice chair role comes less than a month after the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted 21 to seven to forward the nomination for full Senate consideration. Graham joined the NTSB with extensive operational experience and deep business aviation knowledge. He previously served as director of flight operations safety, security, and standardization at Textron Aviation, overseeing safety management systems, emergency response planning, air safety investigations, and airport operations. A former naval aviator, he was also active in business aviation organizations, including serving as an Air Charter Safety Foundation chairman and on safety committees at NBAA. While on the Board, Graham has served as member on the scene for several major investigations, including the May 2025 accident involving a Mexican naval vessel striking the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City; February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio; November 2022 Wings Over Dallas midair collision; and October 2021 MD-87 runway excursion in Brookshire, Texas. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2026-04-03/white-house-appoints-michael-graham-ntsb-vice-chair FAA proposes to hire 2,300 air traffic controllers in budget request WASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is proposing to hire 2,300 air traffic controller trainees as it works to address a persistent lack of personnel. The FAA is about 3,500 fully certified air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels. At the end of September it employed 13,164 controllers -- or 6% fewer controllers than it did a decade earlier. Many controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks and the FAA's air traffic control training academy faces serious issues with retaining students. The FAA is seeking $95.4 million to bring 2,300 controller trainees on board, up from 2,038 in 2025. The FAA is also seeking $39 million to increase aviation safety oversight and strengthen commercial space transportation oversight, compliance and enforcement. Congress approved $12.5 billion last year for a rehabilitation of the aging U.S. air traffic control system and to boost hiring. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last week he wants another $7 billion to $10 billion for new software and other tech upgrades. In February, the USDOT Office of Inspector General said it was investigating the high failure rates among air traffic control trainees. The FAA said in December it lost around 400 to 500 trainees during the government shutdown last fall. Congress earlier this year approved funding to hire 2,500 additional controllers in 2026. The FAA is offering retirement-eligible controllers who are under the mandatory retirement age of 56 a lump sum payment of 20% of their basic pay for each year they continue to work. The FAA has increased starting salaries by 30% for candidates who go to the FAA training academy and is speeding time-to-hire by cutting more than four months off the prior process. The FAA is in the process of moving its headquarters into the main USDOT building and the Trump administration wants $60 million to complete the move of thousands of employees. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/faa-proposes-to-hire-2300-air-traffic-controllers-in-budget-request/ar-AA20hFqb CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 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 - BOSTON 2026 - September 28, 2026 – October 2, 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis