COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) applauds Congress for advancing essential investments in aviation safety, stabilizing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations and reinforcing the integrity of the National Airspace System (NAS) as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, H.R. 7148. The act includes several provisions of note to the 3,700-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathawa ...

(Bloomberg) -- Inaction by government agencies and other systemic failures contributed to a 2025 midair collision that was the worst US civil aviation disaster in more than two decades, the head of the US National Transportation Safety Board said.NTSB has been investigating what caused a US Army helicopter to slam into an American Airlines Group Inc. regional jet attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the closest to the nation’s capital, on Jan. 29, 2025. The accident resulted in t ...

Core Points - The US government has acknowledged liability for damages resulting from a deadly collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jetliner, which occurred on January 29, killing 67 people [1][2]. Summary by Sections Incident Details - The collision involved an American CRJ-700 jet and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, occurring as the plane approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter had three individuals on a training mission [3]. Legal Proceedings - Family members of the victims have filed lawsuits against the US government and American Airlines, including its subsidiary PSA Airlines. The Justice Department's filing stated that the US breached its duty of care, contributing to the accident [2][4]. Responses from Involved Parties - American Airlines has declined to comment on the recent filing but referred to its motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the proper legal recourse lies against the US government rather than the airline [5]. - The FAA has deferred questions to the Justice Department, which has not provided comments on the matter. The US Army has indicated it cannot comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings but looks forward to sharing implemented changes post-investigation [5]. Ongoing Investigations - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an independent investigation into the collision, which will not be influenced by the civil litigation. The NTSB has stated that its findings and recommendations will remain separate from the Department of Justice's determinations [6]. Safety Measures - Following the collision, the FAA has increased safety measures at Reagan Airport and restricted non-essential helicopter operations due to heightened public concern over aviation safety [7].

Core Viewpoint - Airbus is facing significant challenges due to a software recall affecting approximately 6,000 A320 family jets and a quality issue with metal panels, leading to a notable decline in share prices and a reduction in delivery targets for 2025 [1][2][5]. Group 1: Quality Issues and Software Recall - Airbus identified a quality issue with metal panels on some A320 aircraft, affecting up to 628 planes, with over 100 already delivered to airlines [6][7]. - The software recall was initiated after a JetBlue A320 experienced a malfunction, resulting in an emergency airworthiness directive from Europe's aviation safety agency [3][4]. - Airbus stated that the quality issue was not a safety concern, but inspections are being conducted on all potentially affected aircraft [7]. Group 2: Financial Impact and Market Reaction - Following the news of the quality issue, Airbus shares dropped as much as 11%, marking the largest decline since April, although they recovered slightly with a 4% increase on Wednesday [1][2]. - The company has reduced its 2025 delivery target from 820 to 790 aircraft, which has somewhat reassured investors despite the overall share price being down about 8% over the past month [2][8]. - Airbus is set to report November's delivery figures soon, and despite recent challenges, its share price is still up nearly 24% for the year [9]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The A320 has become the most popular commercial airliner, surpassing the Boeing 737 this year, amid safety concerns surrounding Boeing [9]. - Boeing's stock has shown positive momentum, with an 8% increase following announcements of expected delivery increases next year, indicating a competitive recovery [10].

Core Insights - Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has raised concerns about a record number of runway incursions, reporting 639 incidents in 2024, an increase from 566 in 2023, marking the highest figure in 15 years [1][2] Group 1: Runway Incursions - The increase in runway incursions reflects broader aviation safety concerns, particularly in the U.S., where air traffic control operations are understaffed [2] - Runway incursions occur when an aircraft or vehicle incorrectly occupies a runway designated for landing or takeoff [1] Group 2: Safety Incidents - Recent near-miss incidents include a Southwest Airlines flight aborting landing less than 200 feet behind a business jet at Chicago Midway Airport and an Air Canada A220 narrowly avoiding a taxiing Bombardier business jet at Pearson International Airport [2] Group 3: TSB Recommendations - TSB Chair Yoan Marier emphasized the complexity of preventing incursions due to multiple stakeholders involved, and highlighted the need for cockpit alert systems to manage growing air traffic [3] - Proposed actions by Canada's TSB include implementing cockpit alert systems, improving technology, and enhancing airport signage and lighting [4] - While most runway incursions are not deemed high-risk, some incidents can lead to fatal outcomes, as evidenced by a collision at Tokyo's Haneda airport that resulted in fatalities [4][5]

Core Insights - NASA's crash testing of aircraft fuselages, particularly the eVTOL design, has provided critical data for improving aviation safety and validating computer models used in crash simulations [4][12][18] Group 1: Crash Testing and Safety Improvements - In 2022, NASA conducted a crash test of a full-scale aircraft fuselage from 35 ft, which was destroyed but yielded valuable data for enhancing safety models [2][12] - The test involved over 200 sensors and high-speed cameras, allowing for detailed analysis of the crash dynamics [9][10] - The results indicated that occupants would have survived due to energy-absorbing features, validating NASA's safety models [12][18] Group 2: Historical Context and Research Facilities - NASA's Landing and Impact Research (LandIR) facility has been pivotal in aviation safety research since its inception in 1965, evolving from lunar landing training to crash testing [5][6] - The facility has tested various aircraft types, contributing to significant advancements in aviation safety over the past 50 years [6][7] Group 3: Future Testing and Model Validation - A follow-up test in June 2025 showed improved outcomes with a new cabin model, confirming the accuracy of updated computer simulations [14][15][18] - The updated model successfully predicted material failures, demonstrating the effectiveness of NASA's research in enhancing aircraft safety [16][17] Group 4: Funding and Legislative Support - The fiscal year 2026 President's Budget Request proposed significant cuts to NASA's aeronautics research, including crashworthiness studies, which raised concerns about future aviation safety [19][21] - Congress has moved to restore funding for NASA's aeronautics research, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in aviation safety technologies [20][21]

Core Points - Two Delta Air Lines regional jets collided while taxiing at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in minor injuries to one flight attendant and prompting investigations by regulators [1][4] - The incident involved CRJ-900 aircraft operated by Endeavor Air, with one plane striking another while following air traffic control instructions [2][4] - The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to investigate the collision, and flight recorders from both planes are being analyzed [3] Incident Details - The collision occurred around 10 p.m. local time, with Flight 5047 heading to its gate and striking Flight 5155, which was taxiing for departure [2][4] - Preliminary information indicates that the wing of Flight 5155 made contact with the body of the other aircraft [4] - Passengers reported feeling the plane being dragged during the incident, raising safety concerns at LaGuardia due to previous incidents [5] Regulatory Context - The FAA is investigating the incident, which is part of a series of safety concerns at LaGuardia, including a previous incident involving a Delta jet [5][6] - More than 50 industry and labor groups have expressed concerns that a US government shutdown could threaten aviation safety [7]

Incident Summary - Two Delta regional jets collided on LaGuardia's tarmac, causing damage to both aircraft [1] - The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident [2] - A full NTSB report could take a year or longer [5] Impact and Response - One minor injury to a flight attendant was reported; none of the 85 passengers were harmed [4] - Delta Airlines pledges to cooperate with authorities to review the incident, prioritizing customer and people safety [4] Potential Causes - Air traffic control (ATC) instructed Flight 5155 to hold short and yield [3] - A possible communication breakdown between ATC and the flight crew could be a focus of the investigation [5]

Aviation Safety - Singapore committed to enhancing aviation safety protocols concerning in-flight turbulence following two accidents in the past year [1] - These accidents resulted in one death and multiple injuries [1]

Core Points - Southwest Airlines has begun flying its first Boeing 737 Max 8 equipped with a secondary flight deck barrier, marking a significant milestone in aviation safety since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks [1][2] - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that new commercial airliners in the U.S. must include these secondary barriers, with a compliance deadline set for July 2026 [5][12] - Southwest Airlines plans to accept delivery of approximately 25 more Boeing airplanes with the barriers this year, demonstrating its commitment to immediate compliance with the new safety regulations [6][9] Industry Context - The introduction of secondary barriers has been a long-sought safety measure following the hijackings on September 11, 2001, aimed at enhancing cockpit security [2][9] - Major aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing and Airbus, have started delivering planes with these barriers in compliance with the new FAA regulation [2][12] - Most airlines have indicated they will utilize the extension provided by the FAA and may not implement the barriers until closer to the deadline [6][12]