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.

Looking back on EL AL Flight 1862

EL AL BOEING 787-8 4X-ERC (MSN 63399)

On the 4th of October 1992, El Al Flight 1862, a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft of the Israeli airline El Al, crashed into the Groeneveen and Klein-Kruitberg flats in the Bijlmermeer neighbourhood of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. The crash is known in Dutch as the Bijlmer disaster.

The aircraft was traveling from Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS/EHAM) to Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV/LLBG). 43 people were killed, including all four on board the freighter and 39 on the ground. 11 people were seriously injured and 15 received minor injuries. The exact number killed on the ground is uncertain, as the building housed many unregistered residents.

The crash is the deadliest aviation disaster to have occurred in the Netherlands.

EL AL flight 1862 departed AMS at 18:28, as the aircraft was climbing through 6500 feet, the no. 3 engine and pylon separated from the wing in an outward and rearward movement, colliding with the no. 4 engine causing this engine and pylon to separate as well. An emergency was declared, and the crew acknowledged their intention to return to Schiphol Airport and reported that they had a no. 3 engine failure, and a loss of engine thrust of both no. 3 and 4 engines. At 18:29 the Amsterdam Radar controller informed the crew that runway 06 was in use with wind from 40 degrees at 21 knots. The crew however requested runway 27 for landing. A straight in approach to runway 27 was not possible because of airplane altitude (5000 feet) and distance to the runway (7 miles). 

The Amsterdam Arrival controller then instructed the crew to turn right heading 360 degrees and descend to 2000 feet. During this descending turn the flight crew reported that the no. 3 and 4 engines were out and that they were having flap problems. Final clearance was given to turn right heading 270 to intercept the final approach course. When it became apparent that the aircraft was going to overshoot the localizer, the controller informed the crew accordingly and directed them to turn to heading 290 to try and intercept the final approach path again. A further instruction was given for a 310-degree heading change and descent clearance for 1500 feet. These instructions were acknowledged, and the crew added that they were experiencing control problems. While reducing speed in preparation for the final approach, control was lost and the aircraft crashed into an eleven-floor apartment building the Bijlmermeer suburb of Amsterdam.


Aircraft Information:
Airline: EL AL
Code: LY/ELY
Aircraft: Boeing 747-258F
Registration: 4X-AXG
Serial Number: 21737
Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7J
First Flew: 7/3/1979
Age: 13.7 Years

Etihad will launch a daily double service in Sydney starting this December.

Etihad Airways has just announced it will boost its Sydney flight schedule to 14 flights per week starting from the 15th of December 2026, further expanding its Australian capacity. The Gulf carrier will operate twice-daily flights on weekdays between Sydney and Abu Dhabi, increasing from 10 to 14 weekly flights, with 5,000 seats available in each direction every week.

This follows the airline speeding up plans to operate all Sydney flights with its larger Airbus A350-1000s due to rising demand. The route had previously been served by Etihad’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 777-300ER aircraft. Etihad announced that the expanded schedule will make it easier for passengers to catch same-day connections from Abu Dhabi to various European destinations, such as Zurich, Geneva, Milan, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, London, Dublin, and more.

After the return flight to Sydney, passengers can now enjoy more same-day connection options across Australia and New Zealand through interline partners Qantas, Jetstar, and Air New Zealand. Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, Arik De, said the updated schedule offers travelers “even greater flexibility” when flying between Australia and the far-flung destinations on the airline’s network.
The carrier also continues to offer a complimentary one or two-night hotel stay through the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which has now been expanded to include the UAE’s “oasis city” Al Ain.

Unfortunately, Etihad doesn't call into Brisbane anymore. 

On the 6th of October 2020, Etihad confirmed it would cancel its Abu Dhabi–Brisbane route as part of a worldwide network review. The airline said the decision was commercial and linked directly to the collapse in travel demand caused by COVID-19.
Etihad listed the 25th of October 2020 as the start of the Brisbane suspension, with the route cancelled "until further notice."

The Three Major Airline Alliances

I’m always thinking about stories I could share here, and while browsing through my photos, I came across an aircraft with “Oneworld” on the side, which sparked some ideas. Let's look at the three major airline Alliances.

When you book a flight with a major international airline, you may have noticed a small logo alongside the airline's own branding – Star Alliance, Oneworld or SkyTeam. These three organisations are the world's three major global airline alliances, bringing together airlines from around the world to create huge international networks.

But how did these alliances begin, and which airlines belong to each one?

Here is a look at the three major alliances and their current members.

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⭐ STAR ALLIANCE

Founded: 1997

Star Alliance was the first of the three major global airline alliances, being established in 1997.

The founding airlines were Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Thai Airways and United Airlines.

The alliance has since grown into a global network spanning airlines across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

As of September 2026, Star Alliance has 26 member airlines.

Star Alliance members – alphabetical order

Airline	Joined
Aegean Airlines	2010
Air Canada	1997 – Founding member
Air China	2007
Air India	2014
Air New Zealand	1999
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	1999
Asiana Airlines	2003
Austrian Airlines	2000
Avianca	2012
Brussels Airlines	2009
Copa Airlines	2012
Croatia Airlines	2004
EgyptAir	2008
Ethiopian Airlines	2011
EVA Air	2013
ITA Airways	2026
LOT Polish Airlines	2003
Lufthansa	1997 – Founding member
Shenzhen Airlines	2012
Singapore Airlines	2000
South African Airways	2006
SWISS	2006
TAP Air Portugal	2005
Thai Airways	1997 – Founding member
Turkish Airlines	2008
United Airlines	1997 – Founding member

ITA Airways became Star Alliance's 26th member in 2026, following its integration with the Lufthansa Group.

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🌎 ONEWORLD

Founded: 1999

Two years after Star Alliance was created, Oneworld was launched in 1999.

Its founding airlines were American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Canadian Airlines and Finnair.

Canadian Airlines was subsequently absorbed into Air Canada, while the other founding carriers continued as members.

Oneworld has developed a particularly strong presence across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.

Oneworld members – alphabetical order

Airline	Joined
Alaska Airlines	2021
American Airlines	1999 – Founding member
British Airways	1999 – Founding member
Cathay Pacific	1999 – Founding member
Fiji Airways	2025
Finnair	1999 – Founding member
Hawaiian Airlines	2026
Iberia	1999
Japan Airlines	2007
Malaysia Airlines	2013
Oman Air	2025
Qantas	1999 – Founding member
Qatar Airways	2013
Royal Air Maroc	2020
Royal Jordanian	2007
SriLankan Airlines	2014

One of the most recent additions is Hawaiian Airlines, which officially joined Oneworld on the 23rd of April 2026. It became the alliance's third US-based member, alongside American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

The current Oneworld membership comprises 16 airlines.

Qantas is particularly significant for Australian travelers, having been one of Oneworld's founding members.

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🔵 SKYTEAM

Founded: 2000

The youngest of the three major global alliances is SkyTeam.

It was founded by just four airlines:

Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air.

SkyTeam has subsequently expanded to include airlines from Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

SkyTeam members – alphabetical order

Airline	Joined
Aerolíneas Argentinas	2012
Aeromexico	2000 – Founding member
Air Europa	2007
Air France	2000 – Founding member
China Airlines	2011
China Eastern	2011
Delta Air Lines	2000 – Founding member
Garuda Indonesia	2014
Kenya Airways	2007
KLM	2004
Korean Air	2000 – Founding member
Middle East Airlines	2012
SAS	2024
Saudia	2012
TAROM	2010
Vietnam Airlines	2010
Virgin Atlantic	2023
XiamenAir	2012

SkyTeam's membership has changed considerably over the years, with airlines joining and leaving the alliance.

One of the more recent additions was SAS, which joined SkyTeam in September 2024 following its departure from Star Alliance.

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✈️ THE THREE ALLIANCES AT A GLANCE

Alliance	Founded	Current members
⭐ Star Alliance	1997	26
🌎 Oneworld	1999	16
🔵 SkyTeam	2000	18

The three alliances therefore represent a huge proportion of the world's international airline network.

 So, what does this mean for Australian travelers?

Australia has a particularly strong connection with the global alliance system.

Qantas is a founding member of Oneworld, while Virgin Australia has extensive partnerships with airlines outside the three major alliances.

Air New Zealand, Australia's closest international neighbour, is a member of Star Alliance.

For Australians travelling internationally, the alliance system can make it possible to combine flights operated by different airlines while retaining frequent-flyer benefits and other reciprocal privileges.

For example, a passenger could potentially begin a journey in Australia with Qantas, connect through an Oneworld hub such as Doha, London or Los Angeles, and continue their journey on another Oneworld member airline.

Similarly, Star Alliance provides extensive connections through hubs such as Singapore, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Istanbul and Auckland.

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🌍 WHY DO AIRLINES JOIN ALLIANCES?

The basic idea behind an airline alliance is cooperation.

Instead of having to operate aircraft to every possible destination around the world, an airline can work with alliance partners to provide customers with access to a much larger network.

The benefits can include:

• Connecting flights between member airlines
• Reciprocal frequent-flyer benefits
• Lounge access
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Additional baggage benefits
• Easier connections
• Joint marketing
• Greater access to international destinations

For airlines, alliances can also provide access to markets that would otherwise be difficult or uneconomical to serve independently.

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Captain hailed a hero after cockpit stabbing on FlyDubai flight

Following up on this morning’s post, the incident on the Flydubai aircraft appears to be much more disturbing than first believed. Reports indicate that the Co-Pilot stabbed the captian in an attempt to bring down the plane.

The Indian airline captain who was at the controls of a FlyDubai flight when a copilot stabbed him several times in an apparent attempt to crash the plane, has been hailed a hero, and his actions to thwart disaster have drawn praise from world leaders.

Smit Machchhar, from Mumbai, was seriously injured as passengers rushed into the cockpit and restrained the attacker, when the drama unfolded on Wednesday while the Boeing 737 descended sharply, according to witnesses and Israeli authorities. The attack forced the flight carrying 174 people from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel, to make an emergency landing in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Machchhar was rushed to hospital and was in a stable condition, the Indian embassy in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, said on Wednesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called Mr. Machchhar a hero.

Mr Modi wrote on X: “In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valor helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.”

According to Mr Machchhar’s LinkedIn profile, he has worked for FlyDubai for about four years. Before joining the airline he spent 11 years with SpiceJet, an Indian low-cost carrier, where he was a senior commander and line training captain.

Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.

In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.

Flydubai Boeing 737 Diverts After Dramatic Cockpit Incident

A routine flydubai flight from Dubai Airport (DXB/OMDB) to Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV/LLBG) turned into a terrifying mid-air emergency after a reported physical confrontation between the two pilots sent the aircraft into a dramatic descent and triggered emergency transponder codes.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, eventually diverted to Tabuk Airport (TUU/OETB) in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely with all passengers and crew accounted for. Flydubai confirmed that an "incident" had occurred during the flight but said it was working with the relevant authorities and would provide further information when confirmed.

One of the most alarming aspects of the incident was the aircraft's sudden loss of altitude. Flight-tracking data showed the Boeing 737 descending extremely rapidly from its cruising altitude. It has been reported that the aircraft dropped almost 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the first emergency signal was transmitted. Other tracking reports showed the aircraft descending from approximately 34,000 feet to around 14,000 feet during the incident.

The aircraft subsequently regained control and continued towards Saudi Arabia before landing safely at Tabuk. The aircraft transmitted 7700, the internationally recognised transponder code indicating a general emergency.

More concerning was the reported transmission of 7500. Code 7500 indicates unlawful interference and is commonly associated with a suspected hijacking or other serious security incident. The aircraft later transmitted 7700 again as it approached Tabuk. The combination of the rapidly changing altitude, emergency transmissions and the aircraft changing course towards Saudi Arabia triggered a major security response, including heightened concern in Israel.
What happened inside the cockpit?

This is where the story becomes particularly disturbing — but also where caution is required.

Israeli officials told the media that the two pilots became involved in a physical altercation inside the cockpit. Passenger accounts reported hearing shouting and described a violent confrontation near the front of the aircraft. One passenger's family member said that she had been told a man carrying a knife had forced one of the pilots to the floor and that there was blood present. 

For passengers onboard, what began as a normal flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly became an extraordinary aviation emergency — involving a reported cockpit confrontation, a rapid loss of altitude, emergency transponder codes and an unscheduled international diversion.

The fact that the Boeing 737 MAX ultimately landed safely at Tabuk meant the situation ended without a reported loss of life. Investigators will now have to establish exactly what happened inside the cockpit, why the aircraft descended so rapidly, who transmitted the emergency codes and whether the reported physical confrontation directly caused the aircraft's change in altitude.

The cockpit voice recorder, flight-data recorder, crew interviews and passenger statements will be crucial in establishing the full sequence of events.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Flydubai

Code: FZ/FDB

Aircraft: Boeing 737 Max 8

Registration: A6-FKF

Serial Number: 61013

Engines: CFMI CFM LEAP-1B

First Flew: November 2022

Age: 3.11 Years

United Airlines declared an emergency after its windshield shattered

A United Express regional flight traveling from Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport, TX (IAH/KIAH) to El Paso International Airport, TX (ELP/KELP) was forced to make an emergency landing at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday when its windshield was shattered after takeoff. An Embraer E175 operated by Mesa Airlines was performing the flight.

Several layers of the windshield reportedly shattered, sending pieces of glass into the cockpit. The crew stopped the aircraft's climb at around 13,000 feet and returned to Houston, landing safely approximately 35 minutes after departure. Passengers were transferred to another plane and landed in El Paso later that afternoon, according to flight tracking data.

According to a report released to the media no cause has been given as to why the plane's windshield broke soon after takeoff. There was no report of depressurization or a bird strike that caused the glass on the first officer's side of the cockpit to completely fail. The use of improperly sized bolts has previously caused windshield failure at high altitude in past mishaps. Additionally, commercial airplane windows are heavily heated to prevent icing and fogging. If moisture leaks into the window laminates, it can degrade the electrical wiring and cause a short circuit or electrical arc. That power malfunction can cause heating to the glass and degrade its strength over time.

The Houston Fire Department responded to the aircraft distress call and met the plane on the tarmac. First responders cleared the plane safely to continue to the terminal area, where it is waiting for inspection and maintenance.

An investigation will follow by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and potentially the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well. 

Aircraft Information:

Airline: United Express

Operator: Mesa Airlines

Code: UA/UAL

Aircraft: Embraer E175LR

Registration: N87360

Serial Number: 17000705

Engines: General Electric CF34-8E

First Flew: December 2017

Age: 8.9 Years

In recent years, there have been a few accidents linked to such causes, the most notable being Sichuan Airlines Flight 8633 in 2018. While cruising at 32,000 feet (9,750 meters), the Airbus A319’s right-side cockpit windshield shattered, partially pulling the co-pilot out of the cockpit. Investigations later revealed that a manufacturing defect had caused the glass to fail.

In 2015, a Frontier Airlines Airbus A319 lost its windshield mid-flight while heading to New Orleans. The crew saw arcing and sparks at the base of the glass, quickly followed by spreading cracks. Two years earlier, a private jet near Fiji in the Pacific Ocean experienced a similar incident. The 2013 accident involved a Cessna 750 Citation X flying at 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).