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Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: aviation
November 17, 2025
News

Trump Admin Issues Update on Shutdown Flight Disruption Ahead of Thanksgiving.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Flight traffic has returned to normal following the end of the government shutdown, according to U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, air traffic controllers, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford, and President Donald J. Trump.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The FAA lifted its emergency order at 6 AM ET on Monday, with normal operations resuming nationwide.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Air traffic controllers who didn’t miss a single day during the shutdown deserve a bonus! We are working on it RIGHT NOW!” – Sean Duffy

🎯IMPACT: The return to normal operations comes ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, a critical travel period for millions of Americans.

IN FULL

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has stated that “flight traffic is back to normal as controllers return to towers” during the first Monday morning after the government shutdown concluded. Airports had cautioned that it might require several days to fully restore operations, following the cancellation or delay of thousands of flights by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over safety issues stemming from inadequate staffing. With Thanksgiving—a peak travel period—set for November 27, getting back on track is essential for countless Americans.

Throughout the shutdown, numerous air traffic controllers remained at home without pay, although others kept working. President Donald J. Trump commented on the matter, noting that those controllers who stayed on the job would qualify for a $10,000 bonus. Secretary Duffy echoed this in an X post, declaring, “Air traffic controllers who didn’t miss a single day during the shutdown deserve a bonus! We are working on it RIGHT NOW!”

The FAA formally ended its emergency flight-reduction directive at 6 AM ET on Monday. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford remarked, “The decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the NAS and allows us to return to normal operations.” He also thanked FAA personnel, saying, “I am grateful for the hard work of the FAA safety and operations teams and for their focus on the safety of the traveling public.”

Image by Joe Ravi.

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October 29, 2025
News

Ground Stop at Newark Airport as Shutdown Causes Air Traffic Control Staffing Crisis.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Staffing shortages at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control centers led to a temporary ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air passengers, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Wednesday afternoon, Newark Liberty International Airport, with potential impacts at other major airports.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “We have more people calling in sick, more people not showing up for work,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

🎯IMPACT: Over 2,700 flight delays were reported by 4 PM EDT, contributing to a week of significant travel disruptions.

IN FULL

On Wednesday, staffing shortages at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control centers led to a temporary ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport. The FAA issued an advisory at 3:30 PM EDT highlighting staffing triggers at three control facilities, including the Philadelphia TRACON Area C, the New York ARTCC Area D, and the Indianapolis ARTCC Area 5.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation, stating that the increasing number of staffing triggers is a “sign that the controllers are wearing thin” amid the Senate Democrats’ government shutdown. He noted a rise in absences, with more personnel calling in sick or not showing up for work. Saturday marked the highest number of staffing triggers since the shutdown began, with 22 air traffic control facilities affected.

The ground stop at Newark was issued shortly after 3 PM EDT, with potential ground stops or delays flagged for New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport after 4 PM EDT, and at Dallas and Washington’s Reagan National until 10 PM EDT. As of 4 PM EDT, FlightAware reported over 2,700 flight delays, adding to the 21,000 flights delayed earlier in the week.

The current staffing issues are reminiscent of the 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019, where missing the first paycheck led to increased absences among air traffic controllers. This week, controllers received their first “zero paychecks,” exacerbating the situation as some seek temporary second jobs. Congressional Republicans have tried to pass funding bills multiple times, but the Senate Democrats have consistently blocked them.

Image by InSapphoWeTrust.

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June 12, 2025
News

Boeing Stock Plunges Following Deadly Crash.

PULSE POINTS:

âť“What Happened: A Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff in India, reportedly exploding and killing all 242 people on board.

👥 Who’s Involved: The aircraft was operated by Air India, with passengers including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.

đź“Ť Where & When: The crash occurred in the Meghani Nagar area near Ahmedabad Airport at 1:38 PM local time (9:08 AM BST).

💬 Key Quote: A Boeing spokesman stated, “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”

⚠️ Impact: Boeing’s shares fell as much as eight percent in pre-market trading, and this marks the first crash involving the 787 Dreamliner model.

IN FULL:

Shares in Boeing dropped sharply in pre-market trading on Thursday after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in India, reportedly exploding and leaving no survivors among the 242 people on board.

The flight, operated by Air India and bound for London Gatwick Airport, took off from Ahmedabad Airport before crashing in the Meghani Nagar area at 1:38 PM local time. According to Air India, 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese were among the passengers.

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of India’s Directorate of Civil Aviation, confirmed the timing and location of the tragic incident.

A Boeing spokesman commented, “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”

This incident marks the first crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model that first entered service in 2013. However, the aircraft faced issues early on, with its fleet temporarily grounded in 2013 due to fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in its power system.

The crash has reignited scrutiny of Boeing’s safety record, following high-profile incidents in recent years. In 2018, a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max crashed, killing 189 people, and in 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crash claimed 157 lives. Both incidents led to the grounding of the 737 Max fleet worldwide.

Boeing’s shares fell by up to eight percent in pre-market trading on Thursday as news of the crash spread. The 787 Dreamliner is used by major airlines including British Airways, United Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

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April 28, 2025
Wake Up Right
News

Black Hawk Pilot Ignored Instructions, Leading to Crash that Killed 67.

Shocking new details reveal that Army Black Hawk pilot Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach repeatedly disregarded instructions in the minutes leading up to the tragic collision with a commercial airliner, which resulted in the deaths of all passengers.

Refresher: On January 29, 2025, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with American Airlines Flight 5342 over Washington, D.C., killing all 67 aboard. ​

Rank: While Lobach was the highest-ranking soldier on the flight, her instructor, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, had twice as many flight hours. (This will be important below.)

The new details: A New York Times investigation—based on government documents, cockpit recordings, and interviews with over 50 aviation experts and officials—uncovered a fuller picture of the crash. The following are direct excerpts from the Times article:

  • First elevation instruction: “Warrant Officer Eaves stated that it was at 300 feet and descending to 200 feet—necessary because the maximum height for its route closer to the airport had dropped to 200 feet.”
  • Second elevation instruction: “But even as it reached that juncture, Warrant Officer Eaves evidently felt obligated to repeat his instruction: The Black Hawk was at 300 feet, he said, and needed to descend. Captain Lobach said she would. But two and a half minutes later, the Black Hawk still was above 200 feet—a dangerously high level.”
  • Left turn instruction: “The Black Hawk was 15 seconds away from crossing paths with the jet. Warrant Officer Eaves then turned his attention to Captain Lobach. He told her he believed that air traffic control wanted them to turn left, toward the east river bank. Turning left would have opened up more space between the helicopter and Flight 5342, which was heading for Runway 33 at an altitude of roughly 300 feet. She did not turn left.”

The mission: The Times report also confirmed the purpose of the Black Hawk flight that evening was to evaluate Capt. Lobach in a simulated emergency evacuation scenario.

Perspective: The collision was the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001.

Big picture: There is no public information to indicate that Captain Lobach was admitted into the Army due to relaxed DEI standards. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the military to end separate fitness standards for men and women—which includes tests of reaction time.

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Shocking new details reveal that Army Black Hawk pilot Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach repeatedly disregarded instructions in the minutes leading up to the tragic collision with a commercial airliner, which resulted in the deaths of all passengers. show more
April 10, 2025
Breaking

BREAKING: Helicopter Crash in Hudson River Claims Lives.

PULSE POINTS:

âť“What Happened: A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River.

👥 Who’s Involved: Six people are dead, per the Associated Press; law enforcement sources and first responders involved.

đź“Ť Where & When: Hudson River near Lower Manhattan, closer to the New Jersey side, on Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2025.

đź’¬ Key Quote: “Fatalities have been reported,” stated by law enforcement sources to ABC News.

⚠️ Impact: The U.S. Coast Guard halted boat traffic around the incident area and is coordinating the response.

IN FULL:

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, according to the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). Law enforcement sources have confirmed fatalities following the incident.

The crash site, located closer to the New Jersey shoreline of the river, prompted an immediate response from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard. As part of the emergency response efforts, the Coast Guard has temporarily suspended boat traffic around the area.

The circumstances leading up to the crash had not been disclosed as of the time of publication, and authorities were still assessing the situation. As a response measure, the Coast Guard has confirmed its presence at the scene, coordinating with other responding agencies to manage the situation and prevent any further risks or incidents.

This accident marks the latest in a series of helicopter-related incidents in the area, raising potential concerns about aerial safety regulations and protocols over this highly traveled urban and waterways corridor.

This story is developing…

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April 1, 2025
News

Air Traffic Controller Arrested Following Disturbance at DC Area Control Tower.

PULSE POINTS:

âť“What Happened: An air traffic controller was charged with assault and battery after an incident.

👥 Who’s Involved: Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged.

đź“Ť Where & When: The event occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday night.

đź’¬ Key Quote: “The employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,” stated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

⚠️ Impact: The arrest comes as the airport already faces scrutiny following a deadly January collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter and a recent near-collision involving military jets and a Delta flight.

IN FULL:

An air traffic controller at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been charged with assault and battery following an incident that took place last Thursday night. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, faces charges related to an altercation.

“The employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. However, authorities have not detailed the specifics of the incident or any potential motives behind it.

The situation arises while Reagan National Airport is already under elevated scrutiny. Earlier this year, a mid-air collision occurred involving a military helicopter and a passenger airplane that resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, including passengers, flight crew, and military pilots. As of last month, 55 of the 67 bodies of those deceased had been recovered from the Potomac River.

More recently, another close call occurred at the airport when military aircraft, on their way to Arlington National Cemetery, activated a collision alarm in a Delta Air Lines plane during takeoff. These incidents highlight ongoing safety and operational challenges at the airport. The proximity of military operations in the region adds complexity to the airspace management surrounding the nation’s capital.

Notably, in January 2024, the Biden government pushed a DEI policy that required the FAA to ensure a greater portion of new hires included individuals with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

Image by Mariordo Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz.

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March 21, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Economy

United Airlines Complains Government Travel Is Down 50% Amid Trump’s Cost-Cutting Drive.

United Airlines has announced that its first-quarter earnings will likely fall to the lower end of its forecast, driven by a 50 percent decline in government travel bookings. Meanwhile, American Airlines has reduced its capacity in the Washington area, a market long known for its profitability, also citing a drop in government-related bookings.

President Donald J. Trump, assisted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) fronted by tech mogul Elon Musk, has been making strenuous efforts to cut government waste since his inauguration in January. The fact that cutbacks on government travel are having a significant impact on commercial airlines raises questions about the extent to which public spending has been propping them up before now.

Southwest Airlines lowered its revenue expectations for the first quarter, also pointing to decreased government travel as well as the impact of California wildfires. On Monday, Delta Air Lines cut its first-quarter profit estimates in half, highlighting a broader softening in domestic travel demand.

Despite these issues, airlines report that premium and long-haul international bookings remain strong. A fall in fuel prices—a key goal of Trump administration policy—is also expected to help offset the slowdown in demand.

Image by Bill Abbott.

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United Airlines has announced that its first-quarter earnings will likely fall to the lower end of its forecast, driven by a 50 percent decline in government travel bookings. Meanwhile, American Airlines has reduced its capacity in the Washington area, a market long known for its profitability, also citing a drop in government-related bookings. show more
March 3, 2025
News

False Collision Alerts Disrupt Landings at Reagan National Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting an investigation following a series of apparent false alerts received by aircraft approaching Washington Reagan National Airport on Saturday. Several airliners reportedly experienced unexpected alarms from their onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). The situation prompted air traffic controllers to communicate with incoming flights about the anomalies, according to audio records.

American Eagle flight 4469, operated by Republic Airways, received a TCAS alert while descending between 1,200 and 1,000 feet. This prompted the pilots to take evasive actions, although no other aircraft were visible. Upon landing, the pilots confirmed to air traffic controllers that the TCAS showed an “unknown target descending rapidly.”

This issue was not isolated to a single flight. At least four other American Eagle flights reported similar alerts during their final approaches. These flights included American Eagle 4538 from New York City, American Eagle 5197 from Minneapolis, American Eagle 5098 from Des Moines, and Flight 5802 from Nashville. In each case, crews indicated the system showed potential hazards, yet no physical objects were detected.

While TCAS nuisance alerts are known to occur, it is rare for multiple aircraft in one location to experience them.

The FAA confirmed that various incoming crews encountered these alerts despite no nearby aircraft, with some pilots opting for go-arounds as a precaution. The exact number of affected flights remains undetermined.

This investigation comes amid increased scrutiny at Reagan National Airport, particularly in the aftermath of January’s fatal crash involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger aircraft. Earlier this year, the NTSB began examining the TCAS from that incident to glean insights into potential system malfunctions.

Image by dbking.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting an investigation following a series of apparent false alerts received by aircraft approaching Washington Reagan National Airport on Saturday. Several airliners reportedly experienced unexpected alarms from their onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). The situation prompted air traffic controllers to communicate with incoming flights about the anomalies, according to audio records. show more
February 26, 2025
News

American Airlines Jet Aborts DC Landing to Prevent Collision.

An American Airlines jet had to abort its landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., early Tuesday morning to prevent a potential collision with another aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the flight was nearing its descent at approximately 8:20 AM EST when the pilot noticed another plane preparing to take off from the same runway.

The pilot quickly decided to execute a go-around maneuver, ascending back into the air to maintain separation from the other aircraft. An official statement from the FAA explained that the action was necessary to ensure a safe distance between the two planes.

In another incident on the same day, a Southwest Airlines flight experienced a similar near-miss at Chicago Midway Airport. At 9:50 AM EST, Southwest Flight 2504, arriving from Omaha, was forced to pull up just before touching down. A smaller business jet, operated by Flexjet, had entered the runway without authorization. Initial FAA statements confirmed that this unauthorized runway entry prompted the abrupt go-around maneuver. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with the FAA, is investigating this incident. A Southwest Airlines representative confirmed that the crew adhered to safety protocols and the flight landed without issues.

These incidents underscore growing worries about aviation safety amid recent air travel incidents. Earlier on Tuesday, a United Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport following a suspected mechanical issue. On Monday, a Delta Air Lines flight had to return to Atlanta after a cabin haze prompted an emergency landing.

Tragically, 67 individuals died in early February after a U.S. military black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet preparing to land at Reagan National Airport.

Image by Quintin Soloviev.

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An American Airlines jet had to abort its landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., early Tuesday morning to prevent a potential collision with another aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the flight was nearing its descent at approximately 8:20 AM EST when the pilot noticed another plane preparing to take off from the same runway. show more
February 10, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

BREAKING: Flights Grounded After Plane Crashes in Arizona.

Flights have been grounded at Scottsdale Airport, Arizona, following a crash involving a smaller aircraft. As of the time of publication, the cause of the crash and details of any deaths or injuries are unknown. The airport has confirmed that the Fire Department “is on scene assessing the situation.”

The incident in Scottsdale follows a number of incidents in recent weeks. Last Thursday, a Cessna Grand Caravan carrying ten people was lost over Alaska, with everyone on board now confirmed dead. On January 31, a Learjet 55 went down over Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, destroying several homes and killing one motorist, along with everyone on board the aircraft.

Worst of all, a Bombardier CRJ700 airliner and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., on January 29, killing 64 people.

President Donald J. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have suggested that far-left diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies have undermined aviation safety in recent years.

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Flights have been grounded at Scottsdale Airport, Arizona, following a crash involving a smaller aircraft. As of the time of publication, the cause of the crash and details of any deaths or injuries are unknown. The airport has confirmed that the Fire Department "is on scene assessing the situation." show more