Flight Safety Information - May 13, 2026 No. 093 In This Issue : Incident: Ryanair B738 near Amsterdam on May 11th 2026, medical situation, cockpit secured, first officer responsive : Incident: BAW A320 at Edinburgh on May 11th 2026, first officer incapacitated : Incident: Swiss BCS3 at Zurich on May 10th 2026, fault in air data system : Beechcraft 300 King Air - Inflight Emergency (Florida) : US Air Force training jet crashes in Alabama and the pilots eject safely : Southwest Airlines Flight Diverted After Windshield Cracks Midair : American Airlines plane lands with flat tires at O'Hare, FAA says : Thibauld Jongen appointed EASA certification director : Air Force, Boeing accelerate KC-46 upgrades to target readiness : Graduate Research Request : Calendar of Events Incident: Ryanair B738 near Amsterdam on May 11th 2026, medical situation, cockpit secured, first officer responsive A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-EKM performing flight FR-7665 from Warsaw (Poland) to Leeds,EN (UK), was enroute at FL380 about 130nm northeast of Amsterdam when the captain decided to divert to Amsterdam. On approach to Amsterdam the captain advised, they had a cabin crew member here, the cockpit was secured, the first officer was now very responsive. The aircraft landed safely on Amsterdam's runway 27 about 30 minutes later. Dutch media report a trauma helicopter had been dispatched and flew over the aerodrome but eventually departed. The airport reported: "The flight from Warsaw to Leeds was diverted to Amsterdam when one of the pilots became ill." https://avherald.com/h?article=5391d661&opt=0 Incident: BAW A320 at Edinburgh on May 11th 2026, first officer incapacitated A BAW British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYW performing flight BA-1458 from London Heathrow,EN to Edinburgh,SC (UK), was descending towards Edinburgh when the captain declared emergency reporting the first officer had become ill. The aircraft continued for a safe landing in Edinburgh's runway 24. The airline confirmed the incident, the passengers were able to disembark normally. The return flight was cancelled, the aircraft remained on the ground in Edinburgh for about 18 hours, then the aircraft positioned back to London Heathrow. https://avherald.com/h?article=5391c3f8&opt=0 Incident: Swiss BCS3 at Zurich on May 10th 2026, fault in air data system A Swiss International Airlines Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration HB-JCU performing flight LX-1794 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Malta (Malta) with 89 people on board, was climbing out of Zurich's runway 32 when the crew stopped the climb at FL080 due to disagreeing indications related to the air data system. The crew decided to return to Zurich for a safe landing on runway 28 about 35 minutes after departure. The airline reported it was the same problem again, that had occurred the previous day on another aircraft, see Incident: Swiss BCS3 at Zurich on May 9th 2026, fault in air data system. The faulty sensor was replaced. It was pure coincidence that the two aircraft suffered the same issue. The aircraft is still on the ground in Zurich about 45 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=5391b852&opt=0 Beechcraft 300 King Air - Inflight Emergency (Florida) Date: Tuesday 12 May 2026 Time: Type: Beechcraft 300 King Air Owner/operator: private Registration: HP-1859 MSN: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 11 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Location: off Fort Pierce, Florida - Atlantic Ocean Phase: En route Nature: Private Departure airport: Marsh Harbour-Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH/MYAM) Destination airport: Freeport-Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO/MYGF) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Beechcraft 300 King Air carrying 11 occupants crashed under unknown circumstances off Fort Pierce, Florida. The pilot declared an emergency while enroute between Marsh Harbour and Freeport, before communication was lost with air traffic control. U.S. Coast Guard crews later located the downed aircraft off the coast of Fort Pierce and rescued all 10 people on board. Three people suffered injuries. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/570332 US Air Force training jet crashes in Alabama and the pilots eject safely A U.S. Air Force training jet crashed Tuesday in west Alabama with both pilots ejecting safely, military officials said. COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) — A U.S. Air Force training jet crashed Tuesday in west Alabama with both pilots ejecting safely, military officials said. Military officials said a T-38 Talon II aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi was involved in a “mishap” at noon. “The cause of the mishap is currently unknown and will be investigated by a Safety Investigation Board,” according to a news release from base officials. The public affairs office at the Columbus Air Force Base said it could not provide information about the condition of the pilots other than to say they safely ejected. The base is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing, which trains pilots on a variety of aircraft. The T-38 Talon is a supersonic jet trainer. https://apnews.com/article/air-force-trainer-crash-4d31c39df0f5362917fd93625d0a2703 Southwest Airlines Flight Diverted After Windshield Cracks Midair Southwest Airlines told KRQE that the diverted plane landed "safely" in Tulsa, Okla. The airline provided a replacement flight, which arrived in Baltimore, Md., later that evening Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight to Maryland on Monday were diverted to Oklahoma after the plane's windshield cracked midair. After taking off from the Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico around 2 p.m. local time on May 11, Flight 2665 was forced to divert to Tulsa International Airport in Okla., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told USA Today. The flight, which was initially headed to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland, was re-routed after the crew reported a cracked windshield, the FAA said, per USA Today. Our new app is here! Free, fun and full of exclusives. Scan to download now! The diversion occurred just over an hour into the trip while the Boeing 737 was traveling at 37,000 feet, Business Insider reported, citing data from Flightradar24. George Gonzales, a passenger on the plane, told KRQE that the pilots announced over the intercom that something had happened and that the flight would be making an emergency landing. “They mentioned ... nothing struck the aircraft, it was just the windshield started cracking, and then it just exploded, so credit to the pilots for landing the plane and getting us down safely," Gonzales told the outlet. In a statement shared with KRQE, Southwest Airlines confirmed that the diverted plane landed "safely" in Tulsa, Okla. The flight landed at the Tulsa airport at about 4:20 p.m. local time, the FAA said, per USA Today. "The flight landed uneventfully and Customers were reaccommodated to Baltimore on another aircraft," the Southwest Airlines statement said, per KRQE. "We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees." The replacement flight arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport around 11:30 p.m. local time, per Business Insider, citing Flightradar24 data. 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. PEOPLE reached out to the FAA and Southwest Airlines for comment. https://people.com/southwest-airlines-flight-diverted-after-windshield-cracks-midair-11973520 American Airlines plane lands with flat tires at O'Hare, FAA says CHICAGO (WLS) -- There was a large emergency response at an O'Hare airport runway overnight. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch An American Airlines plane landed with flat tires at the Chicago O'Hare airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Flight 791 was landing from Tuesday at about 10:30 p.m. when crew reported the flat tires, the FAA said. Passengers deplaned on the taxiway using a portable staircase. A shuttle bus took them to the terminal. No injuries were reported. The FAA said the Boeing 737 departed from Miami International Airport. https://abc7chicago.com/post/american-airlines-flight-aal791-miami-chicago-reportedly-lands-flat-tires-ohare-airport-overnight/19092452/ Thibauld Jongen appointed EASA certification director Thibauld Jongen has been appointed certification director for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), effective from June 1, 2026. The Certification Directorate is responsible for EASA certifications of all aircraft, as well as validations of certifications by authorities in other countries that hold a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement with the European Union. Jongen brings over 25 years’ experience of leading innovation across high-impact sectors, including manufacturing, aerospace, defence, and AI-powered robotics. EASA’s executive director, Florian Guillermet, said: “Thibauld’s experience in the aeronautics industry, combined with his knowledge of cutting-edge technology, and his scientific and technical background make him a strong addition to our leadership team. He understands the challenges in driving technology forward in safety related environment and is determined to deliver.” Jongen said: “We stand at a turning point in aviation where structural transformations, new territories, and blurred boundaries are reshaping the industry. The convergence between manned and unmanned aviation, the increasing overlap between military and civil ecosystems, the rise of autonomy and data-driven methods, the emergence of new propulsion and energy sources, and the arrival of new platform families all present challenges to which EASA must adapt, and take the lead in upholding safety. I am honored to contribute to EASA’s continued leadership in certification, environmental protection, technological progress, and international collaboration for European competitiveness.” The Certification Directorate is the largest at the agency, comprising around 270 of the Agency’s circa 820 staff. Alain Leroy, EASA’s chief engineer and safety adviser, has also been acting certification director since the start of 2026. Leroy, who joined EASA in a management position in certification in 2004, will retire from EASA on June 30 after 22 years with the agency. https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/thibauld-jongen-appointed-easa-certification-director/ Air Force, Boeing accelerate KC-46 upgrades to target readiness ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force and the Boeing Company have come to terms for a plan to improve the readiness of the KC-46 Pegasus tanker and accelerate capability delivery to the fleet. A KC-46 Pegasus assigned to the 418th Flight Test Squadron, Global Reach Combined Test Force, refuels an F-22 Raptor assigned to the 411th Flight Test Squadron, Air Dominance Combined Test Force while an F-16 assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron, Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force, awaits a turn over the Mojave Desert, March 3, 2026. Partnerships between the Combined Test Forces at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., help expedite critical capability for the warfighter by leveraging multiple program portfolios in tandem. In this scenario, the F-16 aircraft was operating as a target for key F-22 Raptor test points while the KC-46 was able to collect additional data for aerial refueling efforts. (Courtesy photo) The plan pursues three primary lines of effort: repurposing early-built aircraft for immediate operational impact, accelerating the Remote Vision System 2.0 retrofit schedule and implementing a targeted performance-based logistics effort to resolve systemic readiness challenges. "The KC-46 is a cornerstone of U.S. power projection, and we are proactively partnering with Boeing to ensure it is always ready to deliver,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “By establishing this multi-pronged approach, we are directly improving aircraft availability, accelerating the delivery of vital new capabilities and significantly enhancing the overall supportability of the fleet." Combined with the Air Force's investment in the Fiscal Year 2027 Presidential Budget Request, the plan will increase KC-46 aircraft availability by more than 20% by 2030. Unlocking critical materiel earlier and establishing limited performance-based logistics, this partnership ensures tangible increases to both near- and long-term readiness. "This is a decisive step forward for the KC-46 enterprise,” stated William Bailey, performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. “This partnership secures Boeing's continued investment in both KC-46 readiness as well as the production line, effectively lowering risk for our transition to the KC-46 Production Extension and ensuring this critical mobility platform continues to flow to the warfighter without delay." While the specifics of the plan itself will remain protected to safeguard operational security, its three lines of effort, as detailed below, will provide a near-term aircraft availability boost of approximately 6% and a longer-term increase of 20% by 2030. Repurposing early-built aircraft First, the Air Force is repurposing five early-build aircraft, which serves a dual purpose: providing the Air Force with dedicated test assets — keeping combat-ready tankers focused on the mission — and immediately injecting high-value spare parts into the operational fleet. Because these aircraft were not scheduled to reach the fleet until early 2031, this effort allows the Air Force to immediately free otherwise “trapped” materiel. This includes high-value parts, like engines and landing gear, from three non-operational, early-build aircraft, providing a significant near-term boost to fleet readiness by resolving existing parts shortages. Accelerating RVS 2.0 Retrofits Second, the plan significantly accelerates the fielding of the critical RVS 2.0 upgrade. Scheduled to begin fielding in early 2028, the plan creates a partnership with Boeing to bundle the modification with the Air Force’s depot-level maintenance and accelerate kit deliveries. This strategy reduces the retrofit timeline from 13 years to seven years, while simultaneously reducing the retrofit’s impact on aircraft availability by 90%. Implementing Performance-Based Logistics Finally, the plan directs the Air Force and Boeing to pursue a temporary, Performance-Based Logistics agreement targeting the supportability of the aerial-refueling subsystem and other key components. Reliability and parts availability of the aerial-refueling subsystem collectively represent the largest detractors of KC-46 availability. This effort makes Boeing responsible for improving the availability of these critical systems and is designed to ensure a successful transition back to organic Air Force sustainment after a limited five-year period. These and other efforts reflect the Air Force’s continued investment in both tanker capacity and capability to enable the Joint force now and into the future. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4484901/air-force-boeing-accelerate-kc-46-upgrades-to-target-readiness/ 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