Flight Safety Information - May 7, 2026 No. 089 In This Issue : Incident: Swiss A359 near Almati on May 6th 2026, first officer incapacitated : Embraer ERJ-175LR - Loss of Cabin Pressure (Mass.) : Man Admits to Pointing Laser at CBP Helicopter — Then Went Inside and Went to Sleep : New lawsuits filed in UPS plane crash accuse pilot of failing to prevent fatal crash : Lockheed Taps Former F-22 Pilot to Lead Aeronautics Division : Airlines spent 56.4% more on jet fuel in month after Iran war started, U.S. government says : AirAsia ready to buy 150 larger versions of Airbus A220 jet it ordered : Man crowdsourcing to purchase shuttered Spirit Airlines exceeds $437 million in days : US FAA head to face questions from lawmakers after agency cited in fatal air collision : Passenger with hantavirus was briefly on board a KLM aircraft in Johannesburg : Graduate Research Request : Calendar of Events Incident: Swiss A359 near Almati on May 6th 2026, first officer incapacitated A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A350-900, registration HB-IFB performing flight LX-123 from Seoul (South Korea) to Zurich (Switzerland) with 227 passengers and 14 crew, was enroute at FL380 about 300nm northnorthwest of Almaty (Kazakhstan) when the captain decided to divert to Almaty. The aircraft landed safely on Almaty's runway 05R about one hour later. The airline reported the aircraft diverted due to a medical emergency with the first officer, three doctors on board provided medical assistance and recommended to divert. The first officer was taken to a hospital. Although two additional pilots were on board of the aircraft, the flight can not be continued according to regulations, a replacement pilot needs to be flown to Almaty. After taking the legally required rest the crew is estimated to continue the flight on Friday (May 8th) at 01:45L (Almaty time) and arrive in Zurich on May 8th 2026 at 06:30L (04:30Z). https://avherald.com/h?article=538d5c64&opt=0 Embraer ERJ-175LR - Loss of Cabin Pressure (Mass.) Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026 Time: 23:05 Type: Embraer ERJ-175LR Owner/operator: Delta Connection, opb Republic Airlines Registration: N242JQ MSN: 17000252 Year of manufacture: 2008 Engine model: General Electric CF34-8E Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Location: E of Springfield, MA - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Boston-Logan International Airport, MA (BOS/KBOS) Destination airport: Columbus-John Glenn International Airport, OH (CMH/KCMH) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Delta Air Lines flight DL5910, an Embraer ERJ-175LR, experienced a loss of cabin pressure at about FL380. The flight made an emergency descent and diverted to Windsor Locks Bradley International Airport, CT (BDL). https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/570122 Man Admits to Pointing Laser at CBP Helicopter — Then Went Inside and Went to Sleep According to reporting by KATU, a serious aviation safety incident unfolded in Aloha, Oregon, when a man on the ground aimed a high-powered laser at a law enforcement helicopter preparing to land. The aircraft involved was an Airbus H125 operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, identified in court records as tail number T169. The event took place on October 3, 2025, as the helicopter approached Hillsboro Airport. Prosecutors say the aircraft was in a critical phase of flight when a green laser beam suddenly illuminated the cockpit. The beam was intense enough to strike the eyes of one of the crew members, creating an immediate hazard. Pilots rely heavily on clear visibility and stable focus during landing, and even a brief flash of laser light can disorient vision or cause temporary blindness. Faced with that risk, the crew made the decision to abort the landing and circle the area instead of continuing their descent. The disruption underscores how even a handheld device on the ground can interfere with highly advanced aviation systems. Tracking the Source from the Air After regaining composure, the helicopter crew remained airborne and began scanning the neighborhood below. From their vantage point, they spotted an individual walking near a residence on Southwest Pinewood Way. That person was then seen disappearing from view, which drew further suspicion. This aerial observation played a key role in guiding the next phase of the investigation. Federal agents later secured a search warrant for the home identified by the crew. When authorities arrived to execute the warrant, they encountered resistance in the form of a locked bedroom door. After breaching it, they discovered 38-year-old Brian Keith Kapileo Nepaial inside an adjoining bathroom. More in U.S. Savannah Guthrie Suddenly Leaves 'Today' Mid-Show as Mom Nancy Remains Missing 3 Months Into Ongoing Investigation Inside the residence, investigators reported finding the green laser device placed on a nightstand. Alongside it were quantities of methamphetamine and materials that suggested drug distribution activity. The combination of evidence tied the suspect not only to the laser incident but also to a separate and more serious narcotics charge. Admission and Federal Charges Court documents reveal that Kapileo Nepaial admitted to pointing the laser at the aircraft. He told authorities that he had been outside smoking when he noticed or heard the helicopter overhead. With a laser already in his pocket, he aimed it at the aircraft before heading back inside and going to sleep. That admission aligned with the physical evidence and the observations made by the helicopter crew. A federal grand jury formally indicted him on December 16, 2025, on charges related to both the laser incident and drug possession with intent to distribute. From an aviation safety perspective, pointing a laser at an aircraft is treated as a federal offense due to the risks it poses to pilots and passengers. Even a momentary distraction can have severe consequences, especially during landing or takeoff phases. Sentencing Ahead and Wider Context Kapileo Nepaial has since pleaded guilty to both charges. His sentencing is scheduled for July 28, where he faces significant penalties. . For aiming the laser at the helicopter, he could receive up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. The drug trafficking charge carries far steeper consequences, with a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years, and fines reaching $5 million. The incident also occurred during a period of heightened aerial activity in the area. Reports noted that helicopters had been circling near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland for weeks due to ongoing protests tied to federal immigration policies at the time. For us who live and breathe cars, this case highlights how safety risks are not limited to roads. Whether it is a car navigating busy highways or a helicopter approaching a runway, human behavior can introduce unpredictable hazards. In this instance, a small handheld device disrupted a sophisticated aircraft operation and triggered a chain of legal consequences that are still unfolding. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/man-admits-pointing-laser-cbp-141545271.html New lawsuits filed in UPS plane crash accuse pilot of failing to prevent fatal crash The NTSB's investigation into the fatal plane crash in Louisville remains under investigation. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Months after the fatal plane crash in Louisville, new lawsuits have been filed against UPS and several other defendants, including the estate of one of the pilots of the plane. Fifteen people died when an MD-11 cargo plane crashed south of Louisville SDF on Nov. 4, 2025. Dozens more were injured near the crash site, including six people listed in one of three new lawsuits filed Wednesday. According to their lawsuit, which also includes the father of one of the victim’s children, the plaintiffs all suffered serious physical or psychological injuries due to the crash. It also resulted in some of them temporarily or permanently losing work at impacted businesses, attorneys argued. Hook and Book Towing & Recovery and Captain’s Hook Towing & Recovery filed the other two lawsuits separately. Both businesses worked with Grade A Recycling, the business the plane hit. The lawsuits added that both companies lost property and experienced a significant interruption in business due to loss of access to businesses in the crash site. RELATED: 'We can't forget about it' | Grade A owner weighs next steps months after UPS plane crash All three lawsuits accuse UPS, Boeing, GE and VT San Antonio Aerospace of negligently allowing the cargo plane to be flown in an unsafe and unairworthy condition. The lawsuits also name Maria Wartenberg as a defendant. She manages the estate of her late husband, Richard Wartenberg, who was one of the pilots killed in the crash. Attorneys argued Richard Wartenberg was the “final authority” before takeoff and was “directly responsible for determining whether [the plane] was in a condition for safe flight.” In its preliminary report, the NTSB said the plane's left engine detached during takeoff, finding evidence of “fatigue cracks” and “areas of overstress failure” in crucial components of the wing's engine mount. The report also said a repeating warning bell was heard inside the cockpit roughly 30 seconds before the fatal crash. “As a pilot in control of [the plane, he] failed to act appropriately when presented with this alarm bell and failed to prevent the crash," the lawsuit continued. The new lawsuits are seeking a jury trial and an unspecified amount of monetary damages. In a statement provided to ABC News, UPS said it was deeply saddened by Flight 2976. "Our focus continues to be on supporting those affected and working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board as the investigation continues,” the statement reads. Several other lawsuits have been filed against UPS, GE, and Boeing in the months after the crash as well. The NTSB's investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/lawsuits-ups-plane-crash-louisville-businesses-people-impacted/417-5e85bb72-6230-49bc-b50f-b4ab23a684e5 Lockheed Taps Former F-22 Pilot to Lead Aeronautics Division Lockheed Martin’s aeronautics division is getting new leadership, with president Greg Ulmer retiring and Skunk Works general manager O.J. Sanchez tapped to succeed him. The change puts Sanchez, a former Air Force fighter pilot, in charge of a massive portfolio anchored by the F-35, one of the largest acquisition programs in Pentagon history. In its May 6 release, Lockheed described the aeronautics division as being a “$30 billion business with more than 35,000 people.” Ulmer, who spent more than five years working on the F-35 program before moving up to his current job in 2021, will serve as a strategic advisor during a transition period, Lockheed said in its release. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside the talented men and women of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. I am proud of all we have accomplished together in support of our customers and their critical missions, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this remarkable team,” Ulmer said in a statement. Sanchez has been at Skunk Works, the famed research and development division, since the start of 2025. Prior to that, he led Lockheed’s Integrated Fighter Group, which supports the F-22 and F-16, and its F-22 program. “I am honored to step into the role of president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and grateful for the trust placed in me,” Sanchez said in a statement. “Aeronautics has an extraordinary legacy, a critical mission and some of the best talent in the industry, and I look forward to building on that strong foundation as we continue to deliver results that matter for our customers and our company.” According to his LinkedIn profile, Sanchez has been at Lockheed for nearly 12 years. Prior to that, he was an F-22 pilot in the Air Force and finished his career at the Pentagon with a stint on the Joint Staff. In his new role, Sanchez will be tasked with keeping the massive F-35 program on track after an eventful few years. Issues with the fighter’s Technology Refresh 3 update caused the Pentagon to pause deliveries from July 2023 to July 2024, creating a logjam only broken when the military accepted a “truncated” version of the software. Lockheed then delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025 as it worked to clear its backlog. But in March, Air & Space Forces Magazine confirmed that the military is now preparing to accept F-35s without radars due to delays with Northrop Grumman’s next-generation AN/APG-85. Meanwhile, the Pentagon slashed its purchase of F-35s in the 2026 budget to 47 jets, with officials saying they wanted to focus on buying spare parts to increase readiness and wait to ramp up production until work is complete on the Block 4 upgrade. For 2027, the president’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request includes 85 F-35s of all variants, though some experts have called for even higher procurement numbers. Because the F-35 was cleared to enter full-rate production in 2024, the Pentagon and Lockheed may choose to negotiate a multiyear contract for the next lot of aircraft. Proponents say such a deal would provide a stable demand signal for industry and drive down prices for the government. Besides the F-35, Sanchez will also oversee other major Lockheed aircraft programs like the C-130, F-22, and F-16. The firm is also a contender for future increments of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. During Sanchez’s time at Skunk Works, the division unveiled its new “Vectis” autonomous drone as a CCA option, while also saying it could compete for other programs. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/lockheed-taps-former-f-22-pilot-to-lead-aeronautics-division/ Airlines spent 56.4% more on jet fuel in month after Iran war started, U.S. government says U.S. airlines spent more than $5 billion on jet fuel in March, U.S. government data released Wednesday shows. The spike came after the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran began, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. Carriers have lowered or scrapped their 2026 guidance because of the rise in fuel, their biggest expense after labor. U.S. airlines spent 56.4% more on jet fuel in March, the month after the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran began, than they did in February, U.S. government data released Wednesday shows. U.S. carriers spent $5.06 billion on fuel in March, up from $3.23 billion in February. It was 30% more than what they paid in March 2025, according to the Department of Transportation. Airlines have lowered or scrapped their 2026 forecasts altogether because of the spike in fuel, their biggest expense after labor. Some carriers have scaled back growth plans to cut costs and avoid having too much expensive capacity in the markets. The spike in jet fuel was even sharper and topped $4 a gallon in some markets in April as the war continued and the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. Spirit Airlines collapsed over the weekend, and the carrier said the surge in jet fuel costs foiled its plans to emerge from bankruptcy midyear. Other major carriers told Wall Street as they reported earnings last month that they expect customers to cover the higher jet fuel costs by early 2027, if not the end of this year. So far, booking trends show consumers are still traveling, In March, travel agency ticket sales rose 12% from a year ago to $10.4 billion, with the number of domestic trips up 5% and international up 1%, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/airlines-jet-fuel-iran-war.html AirAsia ready to buy 150 larger versions of Airbus A220 jet it ordered An Airbus A220-300 aircraft flies during its unveiling in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Airbus to decide this year whether to make larger A220 jet Airbus seeks to ramp up A220 output to break even on program Airbus exec said airline reaction is positive to A220-500 MIRABEL, Quebec, May 6 (Reuters) - Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia (AIRX.KL), opens new tab announced on Wednesday a firm order of 150 Airbus A220 jets manufactured in Canada, with ‌150 options to purchase a larger version of the jet if Airbus makes it. The announcement was made at an event near Montreal. In January, Reuters reported that Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab would start offering a larger version of the plane, called an A220-500, to airlines and leasing firms. AirAsia's option to buy the larger plane does not involve the same level of commitment as its firm order of 150 A220s, which requires a deposit. AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said in an interview he believes Airbus will produce the larger version of the jet with 180 seats that ⁠would replace Airbus's A320 family, leaving the planemaker to focus on its larger A321 jets. The plane, designed originally by Canadian planemaker Bombardier (BBDb.TO), opens new tab, typically seats 110 to 130 passengers. "This plane was built to be stretched when Bombardier built it," said Fernandes, who added he would be the A220-500's launch customer. Airbus, however, is now trying to ramp up production of its existing A220 jets so it can break even on the money-losing program it essentially took for free from Bombardier in 2018. It has also faced pressure from Embraer's (EMBJ3.SA), opens new tab E2, which won a campaign with Finnair in March, and outsold the Airbus A220 three-to-one last year. Airbus commercial aviation CEO Lars Wagner said the European planemaker intends to take a decision on whether to do a larger version this year and that reaction from airline customers is positive. "It obviously helps if we have a customer like Tony who publicly said he's going to order another 150," Wagner ‌said in ⁠an interview. "I see a lot of demand." AirAsia is the "launch customer" of the A220's new 160-seat cabin configuration. The province of Quebec has a minority stake in the A220 program, which is produced at a site in Mirabel, north of Montreal, and at a separate assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. A220 planes for non-U.S. customers are produced in Mirabel. The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard Airbus's decision would come at a time when airlines are trimming flights and raising fears over shortages of jet fuel in Asia and Europe due to ⁠conflict in the Middle East. AirAsia recently cut the number of flights due to the spike in fuel prices since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted global oil markets. Fernandes said he did not think Asia would run out of jet fuel and said he hoped AirAsia would return to its normal schedule in July. For Airbus, ⁠bringing a larger A220 jet to market is not a short-term decision. "Once we do the decision we need obviously a bit of time to certify it, and the demand is really coming at the beginning of the next decade," Wagner said. "So that's a window we need to hit." If produced, ⁠the option for the additional 150 would replace AirAsia's existing A320 current engine option aircraft, Fernandes said. "So we'll end up with a fleet of A220s which could go from 160 seats to 185 and then we'll just focus on the A321," he said. Wednesday's announcement confirms earlier reports of a deal for 150 A220-300 jets. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airasia-orders-150-a220-jets-airbus-executive-says-2026-05-06/ Man crowdsourcing to purchase shuttered Spirit Airlines exceeds $437 million in days Hunter Peterson is leading a crowdsourcing effort to purchase the shuttered Spirit Airlines, raising over $437 million in just a few days. “Get in losers, we’re going to buy an airline,” is the short bio next to the smiling face of Hunter Peterson, an aviation enthusiast making waves trying to disrupt the air travel industry. On Saturday, May 2, at 3 a.m., Spirit Airlines abruptly shuttered, leaving thousands of employees out of work and thousands of travelers holding unusable tickets. There was no notice or warning. One day, people were booking tickets, and the next, the budget airline went dark. This airline made air travel affordable to a subset of people who otherwise couldn’t afford it. The FAA and other airlines scrambled to offer solutions for those booked with the budget airline. While Spirit is offering refunds, the loss of a budget airline giant will be felt. Peterson decided to go further by doing something unheard of in the airline industry– crowdsource to buy an airline. The idea behind crowdsourcing funds is to make the airline people-owned. This means there would be no corporation backing the airline. No overpaid CEO, and no large shareholder who gets to decide the fate of the company. Peterson calls it Spirit 2.0, and much to his surprise, an astonishingly large number of people were interested. What started as a zany idea quickly turned into an unexpected movement. Peterson set up a website where interested people could pledge money starting at $45– the average price of a Spirit Airlines ticket. The potential CEO wanted to keep the price point within reach. None of the money has left anyone’s accounts. Their pledge acts as a placeholder for future funds, but the clock is ticking. It may sound like an elaborate joke or scheme to go viral, but Peterson is doing the work. Not only has he met with the Spirit Flight Attendants’ Union, but he’s also spoken with attorneys. In his videos shared on Instagram, he explains the importance of doing the legal footwork before money leaves people’s accounts. “I just got off two calls,” Peterson says. “One, with one of the largest law firms in the world that specializes in mergers and acquisitions, aviation distress assets, and debt, and they basically said, this is doable. We can do this. I also got off a call with someone that represents high-net-worth individuals who may be interested in basically giving us some money to just burn to figure out the legalities of this.” Peterson explains that in less than a week, they’ll be auctioning the operation certificate for Spirit. This means that if this lofty goal is going to be reached, potential small-donor investors need to reach the astronomical $1.75 billion total. Yes, billion. Before giving the brief update, Peterson’s site letsbuyspiritair.com had already raised over $24 million. The total continues to climb rapidly, with people pledging amounts anywhere from $45 to $850. Since the website popped up, the total pledged has reached $437 million, and it’s restoring hope in people trying to make this proposed people-owned airline a reality. “ITS ACTUALLY HAPPENING WE CAN DO THIS,” one person screams. “Is this feeling I have…. hope? It’s been so long since I’ve felt it lol” another says. This person is already thinking bigger, writing, “If this succeeds the people can band together to buy even more companies that get intentionally bankrupt by private equity and we can start brining back consumer friendly practices or seizing the means of production maybe.” https://www.yahoo.com/finance/markets/stocks/articles/man-crowdsourcing-purchase-shuttered-spirit-002748771.html US FAA head to face questions from lawmakers after agency cited in fatal air collision WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The head of the Federal Aviation Administration will face questions on Capitol Hill on May 19 after a ‌report found systemic failures by the agency led to a devastating mid-air ‌collision that killed 67 people last year. The January 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in more than two decades. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford will appear before a Senate aviation subcommittee to answer questions about the agency's efforts to address a series ‌of National Transportation Safety Board recommendations. The ⁠hearing comes as the House and Senate have passed competing bills to address air safety. "Our aviation system is fragile, as demonstrated by ⁠the several close calls, and we cannot afford any delays in implementation of these safety standards," said Republican Senator Jerry Moran, chair of the aviation subcommittee. The FAA did not immediately comment. The NTSB determined the accident was caused by the FAA's decision to allow helicopters ‌to fly near the airport with no safeguards to separate them from airplanes and its failure to review data and act on recommendations to move helicopter traffic away from the airport. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy rebuked the FAA, shedding light on serious communication, culture and safety issues surrounding the 26th busiest U.S. airport, which has the single busiest ‌U.S. runway and is regularly used by members of Congress. The NTSB made more than 30 recommendations to the FAA, citing a series of failures before the Washington crash. Since 2021, there have been ‌15,200 air separation incidents near Reagan airport between commercial airplanes and helicopters, including 85 close-call events. American Airlines passenger injured in mid-flight assault by ‘emotionally unbalanced’ seatmate, lawsuit says https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-faa-head-face-questions-162917114.html Passenger with hantavirus was briefly on board a KLM aircraft in Johannesburg Yesterday evening, the Dutch public health authority RIVM informed KLM that one of the Dutch nationals who died from hantavirus had briefly been on board a KLM aircraft in Johannesburg on April 25, 2026. Due to the passenger’s medical condition at the time, the crew decided not to allow the passenger to travel on the flight. The passenger sadly later passed away in Johannesburg. KLM extends its condolences to the next of kin and wishes them much strength during this difficult time. The flight concerned was KL592 (codeshare AF8282, DL9560, SK6855), which departed Johannesburg (JNB) for Amsterdam (AMS) on April 25 at 11:15 p.m. local time. After the passenger was removed from the aircraft, the flight departed for the Netherlands. As a precaution, all passengers who were on board this flight are being informed by GGD Kennemerland. RIVM states that there are indications that the hantavirus in question (the Andes strain) can be transmitted from person to person. However, this appears to be very rare. Internationally, only a few such cases have been reported. Moreover, person-to-person transmission occurs only when people have very close contact with one another. KLM is working closely with the RIVM and the GGD and is following their guidance carefully. Current information about hantavirus can be found on the RIVM website: Actueel | RIVM. https://news.klm.com/passenger-with-hantavirus-was-briefly-on-board-a-klm-aircraft-in-johannesburg/ Graduate Research Request candidate in Aviation with a specialization in Human Factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. With nearly 40 years of experience in aircraft maintenance and aviation safety, his dissertation research examines how Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) experience and describe decision-making during troubleshooting, inspection, and repair activities in Part 121 and Part 135 operations. The IRB-approved study seeks currently employed Part 121 and Part 135 AMTs with at least one year of maintenance experience to participate in one confidential 60 to 75-minute virtual interview focused on real-world maintenance decision-making. Participation is voluntary and confidential, and no proprietary or company-specific information will be requested. Although employed by the FAA, this research is conducted solely in an academic capacity and is not affiliated with or conducted on behalf of the FAA. Individuals interested in participating or learning more may contact Steve Poiani at poianadf@my.erau.edu. Steve Poiani Doctoral Candidate Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University poianadf@my.erau.edu CALENDAR OF EVENTS . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . ESASI 2026, 20-21 May, Dubrovnik . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course 7 to 9 July 2026; Woburn MA 01801 USA : 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