All articles tagged with #federal aviation administration
Trump officials say 2,000 gamers have been hired as air traffic controllers to meet a staffing shortfall, with the FAA arguing gaming skills help with quick thinking and focus. Critics warn that gaming experience cannot replace training and certification and could risk lives, while some supporters praised the plan; about 2,000 more hires are in the pipeline.
After about a decade of review, the FAA certified Boeing’s 737 MAX-7—the smallest model in the MAX family—for production, clearing the way for eventual passenger service after years of scrutiny tied to crashes.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Boeing can resume self-certifying its jets as airworthy, signaling a return toward normal certification processes while maintaining ongoing FAA oversight to ensure safety.
Twelve people died when a Skydive Kansas City skydiving plane crashed near Butler Memorial Airport shortly after takeoff. Authorities say the aircraft failed to gain altitude and struck the ground; a joint FAA–NTSB investigation is underway, with a Red Cross family center opened at the airport and favorable weather reported at the time.
Storms along the eastern half of the United States, compounded by disruptions from a partial government shutdown that left TSA screeners unpaid, led to more than 12,500 flights canceled or delayed as security lines stretched and major hubs ordered ground stops.
The FAA said JetBlue requested a ground stop at all destinations, a temporary flight halt used in aviation for safety, weather, or operations; JetBlue had no immediate comment, and no further details were provided.
Alaska Airlines grounded all flights in the U.S. due to an issue with the system that calculates weight and balance, causing residual delays throughout the day, with zero cancellations and 20 delays reported at Portland International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that operations are back to normal after the ground stop was requested and then lifted by the airline.
Delta Air Lines' special eclipse flight from Dallas to Detroit deviated from the path of totality due to air traffic control restrictions, causing passengers to miss a prime view of the total solar eclipse. The airline's Airbus A321neo flew in a circle at 33,000 feet to give both sides a look, but passengers didn't get the view they expected. Despite the disappointment, some passengers still enjoyed the experience, while others expressed frustration over the missed opportunity and financial investment.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 bound for Houston returned to Denver International Airport after an engine cover fell off and struck a wing flap during takeoff. The plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported. Passengers were flown to Houston on another plane, arriving three hours behind schedule. The FAA is investigating the incident, and Boeing has been under scrutiny since a similar incident involving an Alaska Airlines plane in January.
Part of an engine covering fell off a Southwest Airlines Boeing airplane during takeoff from Denver International Airport, striking the wing flap, but the Houston-bound flight with 135 passengers returned safely to the airport without incident. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident, which is the latest in a series of issues to plague Boeing, including a recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 experienced a terrifying engine failure during takeoff from Denver International Airport, causing a removable sheet of metal covering the engine to shear off and strike one of the plane's wing flaps. The flight, bound for Houston, returned to Denver and landed safely, with the FAA currently investigating the incident. Southwest Airlines attributed the incident to a "mechanical issue" and assured that the safety of their customers and employees is their highest priority.
United Airlines announced that federal regulators will increase oversight of the company following a series of recent safety incidents, including a piece of the outer fuselage falling off one jet, an engine fire, and a plane losing a tire during takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration will examine multiple areas of United's operation to ensure safety compliance, pausing certification activities while doing so. United's vice president of corporate safety welcomed the FAA's engagement and stated that the airline is open to making necessary changes to enhance safety. United CEO Scott Kirby reassured customers that the recent issues were unrelated and outlined plans for additional pilot training and changes in training curriculum for newly hired mechanics.
A small plane crash in a remote area of central Oregon has resulted in no survivors, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The crash, involving a Piper PA-32, was reported on Sunday evening, and authorities are withholding the victims' names until their identities are confirmed and families are notified. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will oversee the investigation.
A small jet crashed near Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia, killing all four adults and one juvenile onboard, including the pilot. The aircraft caught fire on impact after crashing in a wooded area, and the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Virginia State Police are working to identify the passengers and pilot onboard and confirm the flight path of the plane.
A United Airlines flight bound for Salt Lake City was forced to return to O'Hare Airport due to a possible oil warning light issue, with 149 passengers and five crew members on board. This incident adds to a series of recent troubles for United Airlines, including emergency landings, runway veering, and other maintenance issues, prompting FAA investigations into each incident.