Florida Aviation News

An Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 experienced a nose landing gear collapse during landing at Kirensk Airport (KCK) in Russia, concluding a scheduled domestic flight from Irkutsk. The twin-turboprop aircraft veered off the runway and came to rest in the grass, but fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 51 people onboard, which included 46 passengers and 5 crew members. The aircraft involved, registered as RA-46620 and built in 1973, has been flying for over 50 years. It is part of Angara Airlines’ aging fleet, which has continued operating amid limited access to modern aircraft due to sanctions impacting the Russian aviation industry. This flight, designated as Angara Airlines Flight 83, departed Irkutsk at 12:50 PM local time and landed at Kirensk at approximately 2:33 PM, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Shortly after touchdown, the nose gear collapsed, leading to a runway excursion. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 confirms the cancellation of the return fl...

  An EasyJet flight traveling from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) was diverted to Faro Airport (FAO) on May 19 after a group of British men on a stag do (bachelor party) caused a major disturbance onboard. The aircraft was forced to land in Portugal due to safety concerns linked to unruly passenger behavior. Witnesses report that the six men were vaping in their seats and the lavatory , consuming alcohol excessively , and verbally abusing cabin crew throughout the journey. Fellow passenger Arron Davies , flying from Wales, described the scene as chaotic and unsettling. He noted that two of the men were visibly intoxicated before boarding and continued drinking heavily during the flight. Despite receiving six warnings from flight attendants, the group refused to comply, shouting profanity and ignoring the presence of families and children nearby. The flight crew, trained to manage in-flight incidents , made the call to divert for the safety...

A serious in-flight emergency involving a Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 has prompted a detailed investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), revealing that the aircraft’s right engine was nearly out of oil during the incident. On February 24, 2025, a Delta Boeing 717-2BD, originally delivered in May 1999 and now 26 years old, was forced to return to Atlanta shortly after takeoff due to a severe onboard emergency. The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR715-C1-30 engines and has been a reliable member of Delta’s short-haul fleet, primarily operating domestic routes across the United States. Despite its age, the 717 remains in active service with Delta, valued for its performance and efficiency on shorter routes. The emergency unfolded as the jet rotated for takeoff. The pilots reported seeing smoke rising from beneath the cockpit floor and immediately donned oxygen masks. At the same time, thick smoke began to fill the cabin, severely limiting visibility for bot...

  When most people think of Airbus, images of the massive A380 or the widely used A320 series come to mind. But tucked into the Airbus family is a lesser-known yet fascinating aircraft: the Airbus A318 . Often referred to as the "baby bus," the A318 is the smallest member of the A320 family—yet its story is anything but small. A Compact Beginning Launched in the late 1990s, the Airbus A318 was designed to serve short to medium-haul routes while offering the same cockpit, systems, and operational commonality as its larger siblings—the A319, A320, and A321. The idea was to give airlines flexibility: a smaller jet with lower operating costs, perfect for lower-demand routes or airports with strict noise and size restrictions. The A318 officially entered service in 2003 with Frontier Airlines in the United States and Air France in Europe. It was typically configured to carry 107 to 132 passengers , depending on layout, and had a range of about 3,100 nautical miles (5,700 km...

On the morning of May 21, a Lufthansa flight bound for Frankfurt was forced to return to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad after the crew detected a technical issue with the landing gear shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was carrying approximately 160 passengers. Shortly after departure, the pilot noticed the malfunction and promptly alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC). Emergency protocols were activated, and ATC quickly granted clearance for the aircraft to return to the airport. The flight made a safe emergency landing, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. Airport authorities were on standby to manage the situation, which concluded without incident. This successful outcome underscores the importance of routine safety checks, responsive flight crews, and strong coordination between pilots and air traffic controllers in handling in-flight technical issues.

Turkish Airlines flight TK713 was forced to make an emergency landing at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) on the morning of May 20, after a bird strike impacted one of the aircraft's engines shortly after takeoff. The flight, operated by an Airbus A330-303 with registration TC-JOG , departed from runway 14 at approximately 7:00 AM local time, bound for Istanbul. Moments into the climb, the aircraft suffered a bird strike on engine 2 (right engine) , resulting in visible sparks and smoke. In response, the pilots entered a holding pattern to assess the situation and prepare for a safe return. After remaining airborne for 53 minutes , the aircraft landed safely back at DAC at 8:01 AM , executing a controlled and professional emergency landing. All 290 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. In an official statement, Turkish Airlines confirmed the emergency: “Flight TK713 on 20 May was grounded due to an AOG (Aircraft on Groun...

On the night of May 16, 2025 , a serious runway incident occurred at Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" International Airport (BOC) involving Air Panama Flight 982 , a Fokker 50 turboprop aircraft registered as HP-1899PST . The flight had departed from Panama City’s Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport (PAC) with 35 passengers and 3 crew members on board. The aircraft attempted to land amid heavy rain and wet runway conditions at approximately 10:01 PM local time . During the landing roll on Runway 27 , the plane veered off the right side of the runway and continued for nearly 1,000 meters , ultimately coming to a stop after colliding with dense vegetation. Despite the severe structural damage to the aircraft— including a detached vertical stabilizer and damaged wings— all 38 occupants survived . However, 12 people were injured , and the captain reportedly sustained a broken wrist . The aircraft has been declared a total loss . The Panamanian Civil A...

  A new chapter in transatlantic air travel has begun. Global Airlines , the ambitious UK-based startup founded by travel entrepreneur James Asquith , officially launched its first commercial flight on May 15, 2025 , marking a bold entry into the aviation industry with none other than the Airbus A380 — the world’s largest passenger aircraft. A380 Revival in Style The inaugural flight departed from Glasgow Airport (GLA) and landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) . Operated under a wet lease agreement with Hi Fly Malta , the flight used a refurbished A380 previously owned by China Southern Airlines . Now registered as 9H-GLOBL , this double-decker giant returned to the skies with a touch of luxury. A Boutique Experience at 30,000 Feet Carrying around 170 passengers , the flight featured premium touches like caviar service , Laurent-Perrier champagne , and elegant cabin decor. Although some highly anticipated features like the onboard "sky pub" ...

In May 2025, three of the busiest airports in the United States — Newark Liberty (EWR), Denver International (DEN), and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) — faced major operational disruptions caused by air traffic control (ATC) failures and staffing shortages. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the nation’s aviation system. Newark Airport: Understaffed and Under Pressure Newark Liberty International Airport experienced one of the most alarming situations when it operated with just three air traffic controllers on duty — far below the required number of 14. In some cases, a single controller was responsible for managing more than 100 flights during peak hours. In addition to the staffing shortage, the airport suffered from multiple communication blackouts due to outdated equipment and wiring. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by considering temporary flight reductions during peak times and accelerating infrastructure upgr...

 A tragic accident at a hot air balloon festival in Zacatecas, Mexico, has left one person dead and two others injured. The incident occurred on Sunday morning during the First Balloon Festival, part of the 2025 Enrique Estrada Fair. According to state officials, a hot air balloon caught fire shortly after takeoff in the municipality of Enrique Estrada. Three individuals were on board when the flames erupted in the basket around 8 a.m. While two passengers managed to escape with first-degree burns, the third—who reportedly helped the others to safety—became entangled in a rope and was lifted into the air. Eyewitness videos on social media captured the harrowing moment he clung to the burning balloon before tragically falling to his death. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the event. The Zacatecas State Prosecutor’s Office confirmed they are treating the case as one of manslaughter, injury, and abandonment. Two individuals identified as event organizers alleg...

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has been grappling with a series of operational challenges in recent weeks, leading to significant disruptions for travelers. From system outages to staffing shortages and runway construction, here's a detailed look at the events unfolding at one of the nation's busiest airports. April 28, 2025: Initial Outage The first major incident occurred on April 28, when a telecommunications and equipment issue at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility caused radar screens to go dark for approximately 60 to 90 seconds. This disruption led to a temporary halt in departures to Newark Airport. May 9, 2025: Second Outage On May 9, at around 3:55 a.m., a similar outage impacted the Philadelphia TRACON, resulting in a 90-second loss of radar and communication capabilities. This incident led to 320 flight delays and 137 cancellations at Newark. May 11, 2025: Third Incident A third disruption occurred on May 11, when a ...

 In the realm of aviation, emergencies come in all shapes and sizes—from engine failures to unruly passengers. But sometimes, the skies deliver something a little less dramatic and a bit more... inconvenient. Such was the case on May 2, when Air India Flight AI188 from Toronto to Delhi found itself grounded in Frankfurt due to a most unexpected issue: clogged toilets. The (Unfortunate) Layover Midway through its long-haul journey, the Boeing 777-337 (ER) faced a plumbing predicament that left several lavatories unserviceable. As the waste tanks decided they had enough for the day, the crew had no choice but to make an unscheduled pit stop in Frankfurt. To make matters more frustrating, this was the second time in under two months that an Air India wide-body aircraft had to divert due to lavatory issues. (Apparently, plumbing problems are just as relentless at 30,000 feet!) Old Planes, Old Pipes The aircraft in question, a sprightly 15.8 years old, is part of Air India’s aging fleet...

 The recent air traffic control outages at Newark Liberty International Airport have raised significant concerns about aviation safety, infrastructure reliability, and the overall efficiency of the U.S. air traffic control system. These incidents, occurring twice within two weeks, have not only disrupted flight schedules but also highlighted the pressing need for modernizing outdated systems. The Incidents On Friday, May 9, 2025, air traffic controllers directing planes into Newark Liberty International Airport briefly lost radar access for 90 seconds. This outage mirrored a similar incident that occurred on April 28, sparking alarm among controllers and prompting discussions about the vulnerabilities of the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure. The outage affected radar and communications at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which guides aircraft in and out of Newark’s airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the communicat...

  The aviation industry is on the brink of a radical transformation, and leading the innovation is a revolutionary aircraft design known as the blended-wing body . At the forefront of this shift is JetZero , an ambitious aerospace company developing the JetZero Z4 , a next-generation aircraft designed to change the way we fly. 🌍 What Is a Blended-Wing Body Aircraft? Unlike traditional aircraft with a long cylindrical fuselage and separate wings, blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft feature a unified design where the wings and fuselage blend into a single aerodynamic surface. This shape dramatically reduces drag, increases lift, and improves fuel efficiency. 🛫 Meet the JetZero Z4: Designed for Efficiency and Sustainability The JetZero Z4 is being built with the goal of cutting fuel consumption by up to 50% compared to conventional aircraft. That’s a significant advantage in an era where airlines face mounting pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. Key Features of the JetZer...

 Passengers aboard a Delta Connection flight experienced an unexpected scare on April 30 when a lavatory smoke alarm went off shortly before landing at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the incident concluded safely. The flight in question, Delta Connection 4985, operated by Endeavor Air on behalf of Delta Airlines, had departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900, was carrying 64 passengers, two pilots, and two flight attendants when the alarm was triggered in the final phase of the journey. According to Delta, the lavatory smoke detector activated during taxi-in, prompting the flight crew to enact emergency protocols. Air traffic controllers were immediately notified to ensure the aircraft received priority handling upon arrival. While no signs of smoke were ultimately confirmed, the airline took precautionary measures by evacuating passengers and tra...