Flight Safety Information - February 19, 2025 No. 036 In This Issue : Incident: Delta B712 at Atlanta on Feb 14th 2025, smoke on board : Incident: Wizz A21N at Brasov on Feb 18th 2025, bird strike : Incident: LATAM A21N at Fortaleza on Feb 17th 2025, bird strike : Incident: Blue Dart B752 at Hyderabad on Feb 17th 2025, unsafe gear : Incident: PIA A320 at Lahore on Feb 18th 2025, bird strike : How clever designs helped save 80 people after their plane caught fire, lost a wing and skidded down a runway upside down : Many passengers might prefer not to fly regional jets. But they have little choice : Backlash after flight attendants caught taking photos on plane wing : New Partnership Expands Pilot Access to Backcountry Flying in South America : Trump slashes workforce of another federal agency that regulates Musk's company : DHS helicopter patrolling border struck three times by laser from Mexico : Senator Mike Lee Calls to Abolish TSA: Could Airline-Run Security Be the Future? : FAA Employees Say Trump and Musk’s Purge Is a ‘Threat’ to Air Safety : Calendar of Events Incident: Delta B712 at Atlanta on Feb 14th 2025, smoke on board A Delta Airlines Boeing 717-200, registration N985AT performing flight DL-786 from Atlanta,GA to Lexington,KY (USA) with 95 people on board, was climbing out of Atlanta's runway 26L when the crew stopped the climb at about 7500 feet reporting smoke in cockpit and cabin and decided to return to Atlanta. The aircraft landed safely on Atlanta's runway 08L about 15 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 717-200 registration N942AT performed the rotation to and from Lexington and remained in service. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Atlanta for about 23 hours before returning to service. The FAA reported, stating the occurrence aircraft was N942AT at Lexington: "AIRCRAFT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY DUE TO SMOKE IN FLIGHT DECK AND CABIN, LEXINGTON, KY." ATC communication as well as FAA radar data confirm the occurrence happened in Atlanta to N985AT https://avherald.com/h?article=52443b10&opt=0 Incident: Wizz A21N at Brasov on Feb 18th 2025, bird strike A Wizzair Airbus A321-200N, registration G-WUKY performing flight W9-5400 from Brasov (Romania) to London Luton,EN (UK) with 221 passengers and 7 crew, was climbing out of Brasov's runway 03 when the crew declared PAN PAN reporting they had flown through a flock of birds on rotation and had definitely had some impacts believed to be to the fuselage. The crew stopped the climb at FL120 and diverted to Cluj (Romania) for a safe landing on runway 25 about 55 minutes after departure. The airline reported the crew advised of a possible bird strike and diverted to Cluj for a landing under normal conditions. The aircraft is still on the ground in Cluj about 9.5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52443e99&opt=0 Incident: LATAM A21N at Fortaleza on Feb 17th 2025, bird strike A LATAM Airbus A321-200N, registration PS-LBJ performing flight LA-3319 from Fortaleza,CE to Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP (Brazil), was climbing out of Fortaleza's runway 13 when the crew stopped the climb at FL060 reporting a bird strike and returned to Fortaleza for a safe landing on runway 13 about 35 minutes after departure. The aircraft is still on the ground in Fortaleza about 22 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52443086&opt=0 Incident: Blue Dart B752 at Hyderabad on Feb 17th 2025, unsafe gear A Blue Dart Aviation Boeing 757-200 freighter, registration VT-BDB performing flight BZ-154 from Chennai to Hyderabad (India) with 6 crew, was on approach to Hyderabad's runway 09R when the crew initiated a go around due to an unsafe gear indication. The aircraft performed a low approach to runway 36R for an inspection from the ground about 20 minutes later and landed safely on runway 36R about 32 minutes after the first go around. The aircraft is still on the ground in Hyderabad about 24 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52442e0a&opt=0 Incident: PIA A320 at Lahore on Feb 18th 2025, bird strike A PIA Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration AP-BLC performing flight PK-203 from Lahore (Pakistan) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Lahore's runway 36R when the crew levelled off at 3000 feet after one of the engines (CFM56) ingested a bird. The aircraft returned to Lahore for a safe landing on runway 36R about 35 minutes after departure. The engine is undergoing borescopic inspection. A replacement A320-200 registration AP-BLS reached Dubai with a delay of about 5.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=52442c26&opt=0 How clever designs helped save 80 people after their plane caught fire, lost a wing and skidded down a runway upside down When Delta Flight 4819 from Minneapolis to Toronto landed in a fiery crash that ripped off a wing and rolled the plane upside down, panicked onlookers feared the worst. But Michael McCormick saw decades of aircraft safety improvements in action. All 80 people on board survived Monday’s crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport. “That was absolutely phenomenal that you could see an aircraft on its back like that and have people walking away from it,” said McCormick, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “But my second thought was, well, that’s the design. That’s engineering. That’s the years of civil aviation research … that has enabled something like that to happen.” Fuel tanks are mainly stored in the wings Fiery aviation disasters of the past have taught experts that jet fuel should be stored primarily in the wings, not directly beneath the passengers. “Back in the early days of aviation, that was where it was stored – in the belly of the aircraft,” McCormick said. So when Delta’s Bombardier CRJ900 crash-landed Monday, tipped over and skidded down the runway, its fuel-laden right wing broke off, leaving behind a massive inferno. The plane continued skidding and rolled over. In this incident, the wing breaking free kept the fire out of the passenger cabin, said Joe Jacobsen, an aerospace engineer who has worked for Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration. “Things can break … but if it’s within design requirements, then you have to see how it broke, and did it break according to design?” Jacobsen said. The wing might have broken off due to a maintenance or design flaw, Jacobsen said. The investigation may examine those possibilities, he added. When a wing rips off entirely due to impact, ditching potentially explosive fuel is just one benefit, McCormick said. “We want to be able to separate the fuel from the passenger compartment, and at the same time, we want to be able to ensure that the fuselage can come to rest in a stable position,” McCormick said. The plane ended up in a stable position – albeit upside down. But everyone survived, thanks in part to brawny seats that can withstand extreme force. 16G seats are designed for safety – not necessarily comfort Most modern commercial aircraft are required to have what’s known as 16G seats, meaning they can withstand 16 times the force of gravity, McCormick said. “You don’t want the seats to either fall apart or come loose in an aircraft accident – even if it’s upside down,” he said. “So it’s not specifically designed for comfort, it’s designed for durability” in case of an accident, McCormick said. “And you know that, if you’ve been in the coach for anything more than a few hours.” The seats include a humble yet critical safety feature: life-saving seat belts. In this case, “without the seat belts, passengers surely would have been thrown around and would have sustained a lot more injuries,” said Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation. “That was an important factor in this.” And if this crash had occurred a few decades ago, the outcome might have been far more grim, CNN aviation analyst Peter Goelz said. “What’s changed is that all commercial aircraft have seats that are locked in place on the tracks as part of the fuselage that can withstand up to 16 Gs of impact,” said Goelz, a former managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board. “That means that in a crash-landing like this, if you’re strapped in correctly, you’re going to survive the impact and have a chance to escape,” he said. “And when you combine that with advances in fire-retardant material … you really have a good chance to make it, if you follow directions.” Nothing can replace skilled crew members While high-tech engineering likely helped save lives, “You cannot give enough credit to the cabin crew for the safe evacuation of that aircraft,” McCormick said. The two flight attendants on this flight had never landed a plane upside down, said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. But the duo had trained for many scenarios, including evacuating passengers within 90 seconds. Despite dozens of passengers being strapped in their seats and dangling upside down like bats, the crew managed to evacuate the entire plane in less than 90 seconds. The flight attendants “performed their jobs perfectly. They were heroic,” Nelson said. And “hopefully this will (make) the public be more aware and more grateful for the men and women who serve as flight attendants,” McCormick said. “They are responsible for much more than picking up trash and serving sodas. They’re trained professionals responsible for the safety of the passengers. And they did a phenomenal job. https://www.yahoo.com/news/clever-designs-helped-save-80-182648769.html Many passengers might prefer not to fly regional jets. But they have little choice Regional jets are despised by many passengers. They’re uncomfortable and cramped, with little space for both carry-on luggage and people. Although their use is on the decline, for many routes, there’s little choice but to fly them. The smaller jets have been getting attention due to two high-profile crashes in recent weeks – the Delta Air Lines-branded flight that flipped over and burst into flames Monday upon landing in Toronto, and the fatal collision of a US Army helicopter with an American Airlines-branded regional jet on approach at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last month. Investigations into the causes of the two crashes are just beginning, so it’s too soon to say what was responsible. The crew in the Delta flight in Toronto got all 76 passengers out of the upside-down plane quickly and safely after the crash amid flames. Even before the crashes, smaller jets were not popular with passengers and airlines already know it. When United Airlines placed a large order of full-sized narrow-body jets from Boeing and Airbus in June 2021, United CEO Scott Kirby said a major reason for the purchase was to try to greatly reduce the use of regional jets, which he said “customers dislike.” But that doesn’t mean they’re inherently more dangerous than any other commercial jet. “The seats have less leg room, and there’s less recline. No question about that, it’s not as comfortable an environment,” airline consultant Mike Boyd told CNN on Tuesday. “But they’re going to be as safe as any larger airplane. And while some passengers might not like them, many people don’t notice. They get on them and go.” Regional jets are a large share of US flights Regional jets are a significant part of the networks of three major US airlines – United, American and Delta. They are typically operated by a separate “feeder” airline company flying under the name of one of the major carriers. The staff of the feeder airlines are lower paid and get fewer benefits than the employees at mainline carriers, even when the feeder airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of the major airline, as is the case at Endeavor Air, the Delta subsidiary that was operating the flight that crashed in Toronto. Passengers booking flights might not notice they’re not on a jet operated by their named carrier unless they read the fine print. But they’re a significant part of the airborne ecosystem, making flights that the airlines have decided don’t make economic sense to serve with full-size jets. About 31% of all flights flown by US airlines were flown by regional carriers in 2023, down from 46% in 2014, according to the most recent data from the Regional Airlines Association. Because planes are smaller, however, they only make up about 14% of the number of seats flown, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. For many flyers, those seats are their only choice. About 67% of US airports are served only by regional airlines, according to the RAA, while its data shows the mainline operations of airlines using full-size jets only reach 37% of US airports. There are 18 states in which at least half of the air service is provided by regional carriers, according to RAA. The wreckage of a Delta Air Lines-operated CRJ900 aircraft lays on the runway after a plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Cole Burston And many of these flights are just as long, if not longer than flights flown by larger jets. About 13% of US regional jet flights this year will be over 1,000 miles, according to Cirium. The Wichita, Kansas-to-Washington, DC flight that crashed just before its scheduled landing had flown more than 1,100 miles, and the Minneapolis-to-Toronto flight that crashed Monday had flown 678 miles. There are regional flights from Houston to Portland, Maine, and from Minneapolis to San Francisco that are more than 1,500 miles. And while smaller jets are often used to connect smaller markets to larger ones, they’re also are used to connect major cities. More than 80% of flights between Boston and New York’s LaGuardia Airport are flown by regional jets, along with 71% of the flights between Los Angeles and San Jose and nearly half the flights between Boston and Washington. “If it’s 2 p.m. on a weekday afternoon and you don’t need 175 seats, you can put a 50-seater on one of those major routes,” Boyd said. Regional jets being parked But the economics of regional jets are changing. A shortage of pilots has led to sharp increase in wages at regional carriers, which have typically been considered entry-level jobs for pilots fresh out of flight school. “Regional airline pilot pay has gone up 500%,” said Kit Darby, a pilot career consultant. “Seven to eight years ago, starting pay was $25,000. Now it’s $125,000.” “When wages go up, you need as many people on the plane to cover the cost of the pilots,” Boyd said. That means many of the older regional jets have been parked, either because of a shortage of pilots or the significant operating costs. Darby said about 350 regional jets are currently parked and not in use. Boyd said that many of the older planes need a major overhaul of their engines and other equipment in order to keep operating. That can cost $1 million or more per aircraft, he said. “Those that are parked are most likely parked permanently,” he said. “If it’s a 50-seater, it’s not coming back. To bring them back into service costs a lot of money.” https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/18/business/regional-jets-airline-flights/index.html Backlash after flight attendants caught taking photos on plane wing Flight attendants for a budget South Korean airline are under investigation after taking photos on a plane wing during an informal training exercise. Eastar Jet staff were caught on camera standing on a plane wing at Cheongju International Airport in the North Chungcheong Province in South Korea, around 69 miles south of the capital, Seoul. The airline said these photos were a “certification shot” after the training. The incident occurred on 12 February, when takeoffs were delayed due to heavy snow, so crew on a grounded plane took the time to carry out informal training, according to an exclusive report from South Korean television network JTBC. The incident reportedly occurred on flight 703 to Jeju Island, which was delayed over two hours taking off for its one-hour flight. The attendants can be seen in images taken from afar standing on the wing, appearing to take photos while the plane was waiting at the airport. The South Korean low-cost carrier explained to the network that the crew were carrying out an “overwing exit” training, where attendants are taught how to open the emergency exit above the wing. However, the airline said that the training was “unofficial” and it was “inappropriate to climb on the wing of the plane and take a certification shot”. The Korean Airports Corporation (KAC), which is responsible for managing the airport, said it was not notified of the training in advance. While Cheongju airport serves domestic and international flights, the network also explained it is also a designated military airport, where photography is strictly prohibited. Photography requires prior application and approval if it is to be taken on the apron, an area of an airport where aircraft are parked. KAC told JTBC that it has issued a written warning to Eastar Jet, and has requested the Air Force unit in charge of Cheongju airport to take action against the airline crew members. The airline added to The Korea Times that the emergency exit door was not opened specifically to take pictures, but as part of the training. "The airline took advantage of the waiting time caused by heavy snow and conducted an emergency exit training that is normally difficult to carry out," an official from the carrier said. "At the time, a maintenance technician was discussing the emergency exit door with the cabin crew, leading to a training session where they practised opening the exit," a company official also explained to The Korea Herald. "An investigation into the employees involved is currently underway, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," the official said. The airline said it also plans to “reinforce strict training measures” across all departments to make sure incidents like these do not happen again. https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/south-korean-flight-attendants-caught-145502426.html?.tsrc=fp_deeplink New Partnership Expands Pilot Access to Backcountry Flying in South America Training includes precision landings on remote airstrips, mountain flying strategies, and wilderness navigation. Anew partnership between the Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation (JRBAF) and Patagonia Bush Pilots will enable JRBAF members with access to specialized training to fly in the Patagonia region of South America. Jim Richmond was founder of CubCrafters, the aircraft manufacturer that has enabled so many pilots to go "off road" for aviation adventures. The JRBAF nonprofit was formed in July 2024 to honor Richmond’s legacy by expanding access to backcountry flying. The partnership with Patagonia is a "game-changer" for backcountry aviators, according to Brad Damm, executive director at JRBAF and vice president of sales and marketing at CubCrafters, “Joining forces with Patagonia Bush Pilots fits perfectly with our mission to expand public backcountry aviation access and opens the door to provide our members with unparalleled training and adventure opportunities in one of the most dynamic flying environments on Earth,” Damm said. According to Damm, pilots who take advantage of the training developed by Patagonia Bush Pilots will learn advanced backcountry techniques, including precision landings on remote airstrips, mountain flying strategies, and wilderness navigation. Pilots will also have the opportunity to visit remote places throughout Patagonia, where the wilderness experience includes fishing and exploration in pristine parts of the world. “We are thrilled to welcome JRBAF members to Patagonia and share our expertise in bush flying,” Queque Parodi, CEO of Patagonia Bush Pilots, said in a statement. “The landscapes here present incredible challenges and rewards, and we are excited to equip JRBAF members with the skills and confidence they need to navigate them safely.” Through the partnership, JRBAF members will receive preferred booking dates and discounted rates on all Patagonia Bush Pilot in-country services, including aircraft rental. Expeditions and training are available for JRBAF members in both late 2025 and early 2026. Patagonia Bush Pilots offer backcountry flight training and guided aviation expeditions in the remote landscapes of the Chubut Province of Patagonia. This is the only operation of its kind in Argentina. https://www.flyingmag.com/new-partnership-expands-pilot-access-to-backcountry-flying-in-south-america/ Trump slashes workforce of another federal agency that regulates Musk's company The Trump administration continued its streak of federal layoffs over the weekend, firing hundreds of employees with the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been struggling with a staffing crisis. The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union, which represents the employees, said in a statement that probationary workers were informed of the news beginning Friday evening, through messages “sent from an ‘exec order’ Microsoft email address, not an official .gov email address.” A spokesperson for the union told NBC News that nearly 300 people — including maintenance mechanics, aeronautical information specialists, environmental protection specialists, aviation safety assistants, and management and program assistants — received termination notices over the weekend. PASS denounced the firings in its statement, citing three recent plane crashes, including the deadly midair collision between a commercial airplane and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., last month in which there were no survivors. The union called the layoffs "especially unconscionable in the aftermath of three deadly aircraft accidents in the past month." "This draconian action will increase the workload and place new responsibilities on a workforce that is already stretched thin," it said. The FAA has long faced a staffing crisis, which aviation safety experts warned has contributed to near-miss incidents between aircrafts. The deadly plane crash near Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, in January has renewed concerns about reduced staffing as well. In a statement posted to X on Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy downplayed the mass layoffs. “[T]he FAA alone has a staggering 45,000 employees,” he wrote. “Less than 400 were let go, and they were all probationary, meaning they had been hired less than a year ago. Zero air traffic controllers and critical safety personnel were let go.” The FAA layoffs come as Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental organization, has instituted a mass reduction of the workforce across federal agencies. Many of those agencies regulate his own companies or have been investigating them, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Similarly, the FAA regulates rocket launches by Musk’s aeronautics company SpaceX, and the agency last year proposed civil penalties against SpaceX for allegedly failing to follow license requirements during two launches in 2023. Musk in turn threatened to sue the FAA for “regulatory overreach.” Notably, Duffy said Sunday that he intends to overhaul the air traffic control system with help from a team with Musk's SpaceX. The team, he said, will visit the FAA's command center in Virginia and “envision how we can make a new, better, modern and safer system.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-slashes-workforce-another-federal-181128954.html DHS helicopter patrolling border struck three times by laser from Mexico A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) helicopter that was patrolling the southern U.S. border was targeted by a laser from the Mexican side of the boundary. An AS-350 helicopter patrolling about 13 miles west of McAllen International Airport in Texas was struck three times by a laser that was pointed at the aircraft from a vehicle on the Mexican riverbank last week, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) release. The incident marked the sixth time in the last four months that Air Interdiction Agents have been forced to take evasive maneuvers after being targeted by lasers, the release notes. New Cartel Threats Against Border Agents: Explosives, Drones And Wireless Tracking Another recent incident, also involving an AS-350 helicopter, occurred in Jacksonville, Florida, last month, which resulted in the arrest of an individual who now faces felony charges in the state. "No pilots or crew were injured in these cases, and the laser sightings are being investigated," the release said. Owning handheld lasers isn’t illegal, but shining the laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is a federal crime that can result in 20 years of prison time and a $250,000 fine, the release notes. portion of Rio Grande river in Texas The Rio Grande is seen from Laredo, Texas. Border Patrol Agents To Stop Wearing Body Cameras After Social Media Post Reveals ‘Security Risk’ "When laser beams are aimed at any piloted aircraft, whether military or commercial, what might seem like a tiny beam on the ground can blind aircrew, potentially causing a midair collision or other incident," the release warned. Border Patrol personnel have come under continued threats in recent months, including a report earlier this week that revealed agents in the field will no longer wear body cameras after a social media post revealed how to exploit the cameras to track and potentially threaten agents by using a Bluetooth application that can be downloaded to a cellphone. https://www.yahoo.com/news/dhs-helicopter-patrolling-border-struck-200722834.html Senator Mike Lee Calls to Abolish TSA: Could Airline-Run Security Be the Future? Senator Mike Lee reignites the debate over TSA's role, proposing a controversial plan to let airlines manage airport security measures. Senator Mike Lee has caused quite a stir with his recent call to "Abolish TSA" and allow airlines to handle their own passenger screening. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has received mixed reviews since its creation, Lee's suggestion has sparked intense debate over the future of airport security. How Did We Get Here? The TSA was established in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. Its mission: to secure the nation’s transportation systems and prevent another tragedy like 9/11. Yet, critics like Senator Lee argue that the TSA’s protocols are invasive and infringe on Fourth Amendment rights, which protect against unreasonable searches and seizures. Lee’s stance is not new, but with the Trump administration now in office, his call for change may gain traction. The Case for TSA As a former TSA officer, I’ve seen firsthand why these security measures exist and why the TSA is a critical layer of protection for the traveling public. Many of the protocols passengers find inconvenient, such as removing shoes or undergoing pat-downs, are based on real threats. For example: Shoe Removal: Introduced after Richard Reid, the "Shoe Bomber," attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes during a flight in 2001. Groin Area Checks: A response to the 2009 "Underwear Bomber" plot, where an individual attempted to carry a bomb concealed in his underwear onto a plane. These measures may seem excessive, but they serve as constant deterrents to potential attackers and have contributed to the remarkable fact that no major terrorist attacks by air have occurred in the United States since 9/11. Balancing Security and Convenience Frequent travelers often view TSA as a hassle, citing long lines, delays, and intrusive procedures. However, when customer service begins to outweigh security protocols, we risk creating loopholes that could be exploited by those intending harm. TSA’s role goes beyond screening bags and passengers—it acts as a visible and psychological deterrent for anyone considering an attack on our aviation system. Could Airlines Handle Security? Senator Lee's proposal to shift security responsibilities to individual airlines raises significant questions. Would airlines have the resources, training, and consistency needed to maintain the same level of security nationwide? Fragmented screening processes could lead to varying standards and vulnerabilities, undermining the safety of the aviation system as a whole. This approach could also create significant frustration for passengers. Each airline implementing its own security measures could lead to a confusing patchwork of rules. What’s allowed on one airline might be prohibited on another, forcing passengers to navigate inconsistent protocols. Imagine packing for a trip and realizing that your bag complies with one airline's security policies but not another’s—this lack of uniformity could create chaos and increase delays at airports. Ultimately, this system could lead to not only greater vulnerabilities in security but also a more stressful and unpredictable experience for travelers, highlighting the importance of having a standardized, centralized security framework like the TSA. The Bottom Line While TSA has its flaws, it is an essential part of ensuring passenger safety. Its protocols are rooted in real threats and have proven effective in preventing attacks. Calls to abolish the agency may spark conversation, but the stakes of aviation security are far too high to risk weakening a system that has safeguarded the skies for over two decades. https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/senator-mike-lee-calls-to-abolish-tsa-could-airline-run-security-be-the-future-152840689.html FAA Employees Say Trump and Musk’s Purge Is a ‘Threat’ to Air Safety After firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees, the Trump administration is now attempting to downplay safety concerns Donald Trump and Elon Musk fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration workers Friday night, amid a startling series of plane crashes and other air-related incidents in recent weeks. A few days later, the Trump administration is telling Americans not to worry, because they didn’t fire anyone too important. Musk posted on X on Monday: “To the best of our knowledge, no one affecting safety has been fired.” Trump White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt similarly wrote that no employees “who perform safety-critical functions were terminated,” calling it “fake news” to report otherwise. Former and current FAA officials, however, say the purge could certainly affect air safety going forward. According to the Associated Press, the mass firings included “personnel hired for FAA radar, landing, and navigational aid maintenance.” Rolling Stone spoke with a fired FAA employee who was among a handful of employees working on an obstacle impact team at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. The team evaluates many tens of thousands of potential new hazards — such as new buildings, windmills, and especially cranes — to inform flight procedures each year. The obstacle impact team was already understaffed before it was gutted. “There are currently four people remaining over there to do the work of 15 people,” they say, adding: “The danger to the national airspace can’t be understated. This is a very real threat to the American flying public.” While the mass firings targeted “probationary” employees, that doesn’t mean the cuts only affected employees with limited experience. The fired FAA employee, a veteran, previously performed the same role for years for a government contractor; after the contract ended, the FAA hired most of the team back directly. The probationary status, however, made the obstacle impact team ripe targets for Musk’s hit squad at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. On a personal level, the fired employee says they “found it very insulting that after [decades] of military and civil service to my country, I was discarded in a moment with an e-mail.” They worry they could lose their home — but they’re more concerned about the well-being of their other fired colleagues. Asked about Musk’s claim that the FAA didn’t fire anyone affecting safety, they respond: “Well, he’s wrong.” (Musk, whose team at SpaceX was scheduled to tour the FAA’s Air Traffic Control Center on Monday, says his company’s “engineers will help make air travel safer.”) As news of the purge circulated Friday night and over the weekend, FAA staffers and longtime personnel who were already preparing for the worst were stunned at Trump and Musk’s recklessness, multiple sources familiar with the matter tell Rolling Stone. “Holy hell — that was my response,” one FAA official tersely says, describing their initial reaction. Asked on Tuesday about Musk and the Trump White House’s line that it’s “fake news” that the new administration sacked a bunch of safety-critical personnel over the long weekend, the FAA official simply replies: “How do they think airports and airplanes work?” During the first month of the second Trump presidency, numerous staffers and career officials within the FAA and Department of Transportation have been preparing exit strategies in the event of further purges of probationary employees and other staffers, and actively fearing potential worst-case scenarios, the sources say. Judge Says States Have ‘Strong’ Case Against Musk, but Rejects Restraining Order However, for many of these federal staffers, what Trump and Musk did late last week was considerably more shocking than they expected. Another source who works with the Transportation Department says they couldn’t help themselves and immediately informed their spouse that Americans could die from this. “President Plane Accident,” this source says. “Is that how Donald Trump wants to be remembered?” Spokespeople for the White House and the Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Though Musk and the White House claim their job cuts relate in no way to anyone involved with airline safety, Rolling Stone separately spoke with a second terminated FAA employee whose job was ensuring that pilots are medically able and certified to fly. It’s a vital role, especially given the ongoing airline pilot shortage. “We were already behind,” says the terminated FAA employee. “The pilots already complained that there’s a shortage in getting their medical certification [approved]. It’s just going to be put further behind now.” They say the FAA firings came as a surprise: “I don’t think we expected it to happen to us, especially with all the aviation crashes and things going on, all the safety issues that are already out there, and then being already understaffed.” Since Trump took office, there has been a spate of terrifying air accidents — including a deadly mid-air collision just outside Washington, D.C., between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter; a fatal plane crash in Philadelphia; and another fatal plane crash off the coast of Alaska. On Monday, a plane traveling from Minneapolis crash-landed in Toronto, Canada. The fired FAA employee who worked on the obstacle impact team tells Rolling Stone it’s not fair to blame Trump for these incidents — but that the president and Musk are certainly increasing the risk of accidents going forward. “Firing people that do this sort of work is not conducive to preventing accidents,” they say. “None of these accidents were anything having to do with the new administration — but that’s coming. When you lay off people that investigate these things and prevent these things, it’s only a matter of time.” https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-musk-faa-firings-purge-air-safety-1235271233/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS · · Sponsor the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference! 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