Saudia Airbus A320 Burst into Flames at Riyadh Airport Following Deadly Attacks

A disturbing incident at Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH/OERK) in Riyadh has left a Saudia Airbus A320 destroyed after an explosion and fire engulfed the aircraft while it was parked at a terminal.

The incident occurred on Thursday the 8th of October 2026, amid a series of attacks targeting Saudi Arabian airports. Images and video circulating from the airport showed a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky, with reports indicating that the aircraft had sustained substantial damage.

According to sources cited by Reuters, the aircraft may have been struck by a projectile or damaged by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. The precise cause of the damage has not yet been established publicly. Thankfully, initial reports indicated that the aircraft was believed to have been empty of passengers when the incident occurred. However, authorities had not confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the aircraft or whether anyone was injured in the latest incident.

The latest aircraft incident comes against the backdrop of an increasingly dangerous situation at Saudi Arabia’s airports. On Wednesday the 7th of October, an attack on the same airport killed one Sudanese national and injured eight other people, according to Saudi authorities. The incident formed part of a wider series of attacks that also struck Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

For the aviation industry, the events at Riyadh serve as a stark reminder that civil aircraft and airport infrastructure can become unintended casualties of armed conflict.

While the immediate priority is the safety of airport personnel and the travelling public, the longer-term implications include aircraft losses, disrupted flight schedules and uncertainty for airlines operating through the region. Investigators will need to establish exactly what struck the Saudia aircraft, how the fire started and the extent of the damage.

As further information becomes available, the incident will be watched closely by the international aviation community.

Lufthansa Confirms Last Airbus A340-600 Flight

Lufthansa is preparing to retire its last Airbus A340-600, with the last scheduled commercial departure set for the 18th of October 2026, ending more than 23 years of service.

As part of the sweeping renewal of the narrowbody and widebody fleet, the Airbus A340-600 and broader family’s fate has been sealed for some time. Flight LH419 is now set to operate the final service from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD/KIAD) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA/EDDF) on the 18th of October before touching down at the airline’s hub the morning of the 19th of October. The schedule confirmation moves the previously planned operational end from the 24th of October to a week earlier. It follows earlier confirmation that the jet would leave the fleet in October, alongside the grounding of two Boeing 747-400s during the winter season.

Higher fuel prices and other operating expenses have driven the retirement of aircraft like the Airbus A340 and Boeing 747, despite their small resurgence since the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were retired with no intention of returning.

Lufthansa began operating the Airbus A340-600s in the early 2000s, with deliveries of the 600-version reaching thirteen; it was a vital operator. Lufthansa took 32 deliveries of the A340 as part of the almost 100 built. 

Lufthansa A340-600 — the key facts

• 32 aircraft were delivered to Lufthansa over the different type's history
• Currently remaining 4
• The first Lufthansa A340-600 entered service in December 2003
• Length is 75.27 metres (247 ft)
• Wingspan is 63.45 metres (208 ft 2 in)
• Height is 17.29 metres (56 ft 8 in)
• Maximum take-off weight 368 tonnes
• Range about 12,400–12,900 km
• Cruising speed about 890 km/h
• Engines 4 × Rolls-Royce Trent 556
• Lufthansa seating 297 passengers in the published maximum configuration
• Typical Lufthansa layout 8 First, 56 Business, 28/32 Premium Economy and 189 Economy

The Story of Pegasus: The Aircraft Buried Beneath Antarctica:

Deep beneath the snow and ice of Antarctica lies the remains of an aircraft with an incredible story to tell.

The aircraft was a Lockheed C-121 Constellation, a military version of the famous four-engine airliner. Known as Pegasus, the aircraft was being operated by the U.S. Navy when disaster struck near McMurdo Station on the 8th of October 1970.

While attempting to land in terrible Antarctic weather, the aircraft encountered a severe whiteout. With visibility virtually disappearing, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing on the Ross Ice Shelf.

The landing badly damaged the aircraft, but remarkably, all 80 people aboard survived.

With the Constellation too badly damaged to return to service, it was abandoned on the ice. Over the following decades, Antarctica slowly began to reclaim it. Snow and ice accumulated around the aircraft, gradually burying much of the once-impressive Constellation.

The wreck became a familiar landmark for personnel operating in the region, and it eventually gave its name to Pegasus Field, an important Antarctic airfield that served McMurdo Station for many years.

Today, much of the aircraft remains hidden beneath the Antarctic ice. What was once a magnificent four-engine aircraft has become an unusual piece of aviation history — frozen in time in one of the most remote places on Earth.

Some aircraft are retired to museums. Others are scrapped. And then there is Pegasus — an aircraft that became part of Antarctica itself.

Aircraft Information:

Owner/Operator US Navy 

Section: Air Development Squadron Six

Aircraft: Lockheed C-121 Constellation

Registration: 131644

Serial Number: 4145

Engines: 4 x Wright R-3350 Turbo-Compound radial engines

Two widebodys damage in ground collision

Two massive widebody jets collided on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport, highlighting just how little clearance these aircraft often have to operate within.

Delta Air Lines Flight DL7, an Airbus A350-900 bound from Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND/RJTT), was taxiing for takeoff when its left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer of an Air Canada Boeing 777.

Air Canada Flight AC785, a Boeing 777 from Toronto (YYZ/CYYZ), was being towed toward its gate when it stopped just short. Around 10:30 a.m. local time, it made contact, resulting in a collision.
The impact damaged both aircraft, with part of the Delta A350's wingtip reportedly ending up on the Air Canada 777's tail. Despite the size of both jets, no passengers or crew members were reported injured.

Delta's A350 was carrying 275 customers and 15 crew members. Both aircraft were removed from service for inspection and repairs, causing delays and cancellations for the affected flights.

The FAA is investigating the incident, and the exact sequence of events, including the positioning of the aircraft and towing operation, will be important in determining how the collision happened.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Delta Airlines

Code: DL/DAL

Aircraft: Airbus A350-941

Registration: N512DN

Serial Number: 267

Engines: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84

First Flew: 14/12/2018

Age: 7.8 Years

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air Canada

Code: AC/ACA

Aircraft: Boeing 777-233LR

Registration: C-FIVK

Serial Number: 35245

Engines: General Electric GE90

First Flew: 05/01/2008

Age: 18.8 Years

Looking back on Qantas Flight 72

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPA (MSN 0553)

 

Qantas Flight 72, a scheduled service from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS) to Perth Airport (PER/YPPH) made an emergency landing at Learmonth Airport (LEA/YPLM) near Exmouth, Western Australia, on the 7th of October 2008. This was due to an in-flight incident involving sudden, uncommanded pitch-down movements that resulted in serious injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and spinal injuries, to passengers and crew. The aircraft was met by the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and Care Flight at Learmonth. 

Fourteen individuals were airlifted to Perth for hospital treatment, and thirty-nine others were also hospitalised. Overall, one crew member and eleven passengers sustained serious injuries, while eight crew members and ninety-nine passengers incurred minor injuries. The investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) identified a malfunction in one of the plane's three air data inertial reference units (ADIRUs) and an unrecognized software design flaw in the Airbus A330's fly-by-wire flight control primary computer (FCPC).

Qantas Flight 72, carrying 315 passengers, departed Singapore at 9:32 am local time. By 10:01 am, the aircraft had reached a cruising altitude of approximately 37,000 feet (11,000 m) and was maintaining a cruising speed of Mach 0.82. The incident began at 12:40 Perth time when one of the plane's three air data inertial reference units (ADIRUs) began supplying incorrect data to the flight computer. As a result, the autopilot automatically disengaged. Shortly thereafter, the pilots received electronic warnings on the aircraft's electronic centralized aircraft monitor about inconsistencies in the autopilot and inertial reference systems, along with conflicting stall and overspeed alerts. At this point, the captain took manual control of the aircraft. The autopilot was re-engaged briefly, prompting the plane to revert to its previously selected flight level. However, the crew disengaged the autopilot after roughly 15 seconds, and it remained off for the rest of the flight.

At 12:42, the aircraft executed a sudden, uncommanded pitch-down maneuver, experiencing -0.8 G and reaching an 8.4-degree pitch down, resulting in a rapid descent of 650 feet (200 m). Twenty seconds later, the pilots managed to return the aircraft to its assigned cruise flight level, FL370. At 12:45, the aircraft underwent a second uncommanded maneuver of a similar nature, this time with an acceleration of +0.2 G, a 3.5-degree pitch down, and an altitude loss of 400 feet (120 m); the flight crew successfully re-established the aircraft's assigned level flight within 16 seconds.

Passengers and crew who were unrestrained—and even some who were restrained—were thrown around the cabin or injured by falling overhead luggage, as well as by impacts with and through the overhead compartment doors. The pilots stabilized the plane and issued a Pan Pan Pan call, which was later escalated to a Mayday when the extent of the injuries became known to the flight crew.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantas Airways

Code: QF/QFA

Aircraft: Airbus A330-303

Registration: VH-QPA

Serial Number: 0553

Engines: 2 x GE CF6-80E1A3

First Flew: 11th November 2003

Age: 20.11 Years Old

A few hours at New Farm Park

Yesterday, my family and I went to New Farm Park for morning tea to celebrate my wife's birthday. Fortunately, runway 01 was in use at Brisbane Airport, so all the arrivals for 01 Left flew right over the park.

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A330-243 B-6537 (MSN 1262)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 14 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YVA (MSN 40995)
VA1234 ARRIVING FROM ROCKHAMPTON (ROK) 15 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKJ (MSN 36236)
JQ66 ARRIVING FROM BANGKOK (BKK) 11 YEARS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 400 VH-84N (MSN 4483)
QF2451 ARRIVING FROM MORANBAH (MOV) 11 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-8SA VH-XZQ (MSN 44227)
QF985 ARRIVING FROM MACKAY (MKY) 11 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-7K2 VH-NQY (MSN 38054)
VA604 ARRIVING FROM MACKAY (MKY) 16 YEARS

AIR NIUGINI BOEING 767-383 P2-PXW (MSN 25365)
PX3 ARRIVING FROM PORT MORESBY (POM) 35 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UZI (MSN 19000191)
QF1841 ARRIVING FROM ROCKHAMPTON (ROK) 18 YEARS

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZLO (MSN 340B-382)
ZL5717 ARRIVING FROM ROMA (RMA) 30 YEARS

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AIRBUS A321-271N RP-C9933 (MSN 8242)
PR221 ARRIVING FROM MANILA (MNL) 8 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 70 VH-NUZ (MSN 11568)
VA1710 ARRIVING FROM GLADSTONE (GLT) 30 YEARS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 400 VH-QOI (MSN 4189)
QF2377 ARRIVING FROM HERVEY BAY (HVB) 19 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHA (MSN 254)
SQ255 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 7 YEARS

HONG KONG AIR CARGO AIRBUS A330-243 B-LNY (MSN 1062)
RH703 ARRIVING FROM HONH KONG (HKG) 15 YEARS

NATIONAL JET EXPRESS DASH 8 400 VH-8QB (MSN 4323)
WO343 ARRIVING FROM MORANBAH (MOV) 16 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS ARIBUS A350-941 DQ-FAJ (MSN 320)
FJ921 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 6 YEARS

Debris Found as Gulfstream G100 Carrying Six People Disappears Over The Atlantic

A Canadian-registered Gulfstream G100 carrying six people has disappeared over the Atlantic after reporting electrical problems and suffering a dramatic descent. A debris field from the aircraft has now been located south of Nantucket as the search for those on board continues.

What began as a routine medical evacuation flight from Bermuda to Boston has turned into a major search-and-rescue operation in the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 registered C-GRJP, was operated by Canadian air ambulance company Latitude Air Ambulance.

It departed L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA/TXKF) in Bermuda at approximately 12:41 a.m. on Saturday the 3rd of October bound for Boston Logan International Airport (BOS/KBOS). There were six people on board — two pilots, two medical crew members, a patient and a family member.

The U.S. Coast Guard has now confirmed that search crews have located a debris field associated with the missing Gulfstream G100. The debris was found in the Atlantic Ocean south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, after Coast Guard aircraft and vessels conducted an extensive search of the area.

The Coast Guard said search crews had covered approximately 1,644 square miles of ocean before locating the debris. The discovery provides investigators with the first physical evidence of what happened to the aircraft.

Authorities emphasize that the search is still ongoing for the six people who were on board, though there are serious concerns about their chances of survival.

The Coast Guard has deployed aircraft, helicopters and surface vessels to the area, including the USCGC William Sparling, which remained involved in the search.

The Gulfstream had been cruising at approximately 24,000 feet during its journey north toward Boston. At some point during the flight, the crew reported electrical problems. Flight-tracking data subsequently showed the aircraft entering a dramatic descent, losing thousands of feet in a very short period.

The aircraft reportedly descended from around 24,000 feet to approximately 13,000 feet in only a few minutes. As the situation developed, air traffic controllers attempted to establish communications with the Gulfstream. Another aircraft in the area was also reportedly asked to try to contact the medical flight.

Those attempts were unsuccessful.

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Latitude Air Ambulance

Code: HTT

Aircraft: Gulfstream G100

Registration: C-GRJP

Serial Number: 080

Engines: 2 x Honeywell TFE731-40R-200G turbofan

First Flew: January 1996

Age: 30.9 Years

Our thoughts and deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones at this very sad time.