Air India fined for flying unairworthy A320neo

AIR INDIA BOEING 787-8 VT-ANP (MSN 36287)

India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a monetary penalty of 10 million INR (approximately USD 110,000 / AUS $156,000) on Air India for operating an Airbus A320-200N aircraft without a valid certificate of airworthiness.

The aircraft in question was VT-TQN (MSN 11097)

According to a regulatory order issued on the 5th of February the penalty pertains to eight scheduled commercial flights conducted on the 24th and the 25th of November 2025. The DGCA stated that the violation “further eroded public confidence and adversely impacted the organisation’s safety compliance.” The regulator held Air India’s Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Wilson, accountable for the breach and ordered the suspension of two senior officials from the airline’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation.

It was reported the aircraft operated flight sectors linking Bengaluru International Airport, Delhi International Airport, Hyderabad International Airport, and Mumbai International Airport without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). Although the aircraft had undergone maintenance for approximately one month prior to these operations, engineering personnel failed to renew the expired certification before the aircraft was returned to service.

An internal investigation by the Tata Sons owned airline identified "systemic failures" and insufficient cross-checks. The inquiry revealed that the head of the defect cell closed a query regarding required approvals without conducting proper verifications.

"All identified gaps have since been satisfactorily addressed and shared with the authority," the airline said in a statement. Air India noted that it has now voluntarily reported the non-compliance to the regulator.

Airlines may impose flying ban on disruptive passengers

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has proposed new rules that would allow airlines worldwide to impose flying bans of up to 30 days on passengers who engage in disruptive behaviour during a flight. Under the draft revision, airlines would no longer need to refer such cases to the existing independent committee before enforcing a short-term ban.

The DGCA’s updated definition of “disruptive acts” includes smoking on board, drinking alcohol on domestic flights, tampering with emergency exits, misusing safety equipment such as life jackets, staging protests or sloganeering, and any unruly behaviour linked to intoxication. Actions such as screaming, disturbing fellow passengers, or kicking and banging seats or tray tables have also been added to the list.

Airlines would be required to keep internal records of passengers penalised under these provisions and report each ban to the DGCA. However, these individuals would not be placed on the regulator’s formal No Fly List.

The proposed amendments—issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937—are open for stakeholder feedback. Currently, any case of unruly behaviour must be reviewed by an independent committee led by a retired District and Sessions Judge, which has up to 45 days to issue a decision before a ban can be imposed.

According to the DGCA, the revised framework aims to streamline the process and allow airlines to act more swiftly to protect passenger safety. Although such incidents are relatively rare, the regulator emphasised that even one disruptive passenger can compromise safety and disrupt flight operations. Airlines already follow a Standard Operating Procedure for managing and reporting these events.

American Airlines returns to gate due to racist comments against cabin crew

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N826AN (MSN 40649)

Passengers onboard an American Airlines were left stunned after a man launched a racist tirade at a flight attendant before the departure from Dallas (DFW/KDFW) to Las Vegas (LAS/KLAS).

The disruption escalated during the push back and taxi, which then forced the flight to return to the gate and delayed the departure as airport police removed the unruly passenger. The episode highlights both crew professionalism and continued federal enforcement against disruptive behavior.

The incident first occurred in the First-Class cabin while the Boeing 737 remained at the gate at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. A passenger began arguing with a flight attendant and accused her of “buying an illegal social security number.” During the exchange, the man shouted, “I’m American… you’re the illegal one!” and threatened to call immigration authorities.

He then loudly addressed the cabin, claiming he saw the crew member and her relatives “swim the Rio Grande.” The remarks were directed at both the flight attendant and the surrounding passengers.

The flight attendant responded calmly, telling him, “You’re a racist, that’s what you are.” Despite the verbal abuse, she maintained composure and continued performing her duties.

Observers noted her professionalism, with some commenting that she appeared to handle the situation as though it were routine. According to the media, the plan was to reconnect the jet bridge and remove the passenger before departure to Las Vegas.

However, the jet bridge malfunctioned, extending the delay while passengers remained onboard and listened to the continued racist rant.

Crew members instructed the man to return to his seat and informed him that he would be removed once access to the aircraft was restored. After the aircraft returned to the gate, airport police boarded and escorted him off the plane. American Airlines subsequently deplaned all passengers to manage the disruption.

Two EVA Air pilots could face dismissal after making a mayday call

Authorities in Taiwan are investigating two EVA Air pilots who issued a mayday call during a disruption at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP). The situation arose after a temporary runway closure caused long holding times and fuel worries for several incoming flights.

The Civil Aviation Administration said the distress call occurred after a separate landing incident involving a T’way Air flight arriving from Jeju International Airport (CJU/RKPC). That aircraft experienced a landing gear failure, prompting the closure of the airport’s north runway and triggering a chain of operational delays. The runway disruption began when the T’way Air aircraft landed and suffered a detachment of its right main landing gear. Airport authorities closed the north runway to allow for inspection, recovery, and safety checks.

As air traffic congestion built up, five inbound flights were affected by extended holding patterns. Three of these flights were operated by EVA Air. With fuel levels reportedly running low, the affected crews declared a mayday call to alert air traffic control of their urgent operational status.

The Civil Aviation Administration confirmed that the mayday declarations were linked to fuel concerns caused by the prolonged runway closure. Following the incident, Taiwan’s aviation regulator launched a formal investigation to assess whether the flight crew’s actions complied with existing regulations.

Crew interviews were completed several days after the event as part of the review process.

The authority cited Article 57 of the Civil Aviation Act when ordering EVA Air to take immediate corrective measures. The airline was found to have failed to preserve cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder information as required.

Investigators are also examining the timing and decision-making process related to potential diversions to alternate airports. Any regulatory breaches identified during the investigation will be addressed in accordance with applicable aviation laws, and the two pilots could face instant dismissal.

Flight attendant performs Heimlich maneuver during severe turbulence

Flight attendant Marcus Thompson turned into an unexpected hero when he pulled off the Heimlich maneuver on a choking passenger amid violent turbulence high above the Rocky Mountains.

Passenger Robert Davidson started choking on a piece of steak during meal service just as the plane hit a sudden bout of severe clear-air turbulence. With the seatbelt sign on and the captain instructing all crew to sit down, Thompson had to make a split-second, life-or-death choice. Ignoring the chaos as the aircraft pitched and dropped, he unbuckled his belt and made his way down the wildly rocking aisle to reach Davidson.

As the plane rocked violently, Thompson steadied himself against the seats and moved behind the choking passenger. He delivered several abdominal thrusts until Davidson coughed up the blockage. A sudden drop sent them both tumbling to the floor, but Davidson was breathing again. Thompson quickly helped him back into his seat just as the turbulence began to ease.

After landing, Davidson was checked by medical staff and made a full recovery. The airline honored Thompson with their highest award for extraordinary heroism, praising his courage in risking his own safety to save a passenger’s life.

Two pilots shot dead after landing at Korowai Batu Airport

Two pilots, who flew from Tanahmerah Airport (TMH/WAKT), to Koroway Batu Danowage Airport (WAKY) have been shot and killed moments after landing their Smart Cakrawala Aviation aircraft at the Airport in South Papua, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

“At 11:05 a.m. local time, the plane landed and was immediately fired upon,” said Lukman F. Laisa, director general of Air Transport at the Transportation Ministry, in a written statement.

The flight was carrying 13 passengers, including a toddler. In the chaos, passengers fled toward nearby forested areas.

Authorities said the pilot transmitted a distress message reporting gunfire and loss of signal. Police later identified the victims as Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Bas Koro.

South Papua Police Chief Wisnu Perdana Putra said the two pilots were chased, hunted down and killed near the runway. All of the passengers survived.

Footage from the scene shows the aircraft on the runway with doors open and visible bullet damage along the fuselage. Reports indicate a fuel leak from the right wing area was the cause of the distress call.

Indonesian officials have launched a full investigation and announced tighter security around inland airports.

Aircraft Information 

Owner/Operator: Smart Cakrawala Aviation

Aircraft: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan 

Registration: PK-SNR

Serial Number: 208B5358

Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops 

First Flew: 2017

Age: 9 years 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.

Australian currency turns 60 today

Thought I would share a little Australian history with you; not only are we celebrating Valentine's Day here in Australia but our currency the 'Australian Dollar' turns 60

On the 14th of February 1966 Australia changed from pounds and pence to dollars and a huge add campaign was launched early 1966.
Below is on the jingle advertisements that aired on TV and the radio to help Australians get used to the new currency.

Currency Conversion Jingle

‘Out with the old and in with the new’

In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
Be prepared folks when the coins begin to mix
On the 14th of February 1966
Clink go the cents, folks clink, clink, clink
Changeover day is closer than you think
Learn the value of the coins and the way that they appear
And things will be much smoother when the decimal point is here
In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence
Be prepared folks when the coins begin to mix
On the 14th of February 1966.

The Mint produced new decimal coins and the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coins featured an image of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side, with depictions of Australia's unique fauna on the reverse.
The Reserve Bank of Australia oversaw the design and production of the new decimal banknotes for the $1, $2, $10 and $20 denominations. In April 1964, the concept designs by Gordon Andrews were accepted and detailed design work began. During 1965, the Bank's Note Printing Branch completed the formidable task of producing almost 153 million new decimal currency banknotes. Other items printed by the Bank for the introduction of decimal currency included cheques, travelers' cheques and bonds, as well as decimal currency postage stamps. The Reserve Bank also had responsibility for ensuring that an adequate supply of new decimal coins and banknotes was distributed to each of the 5,000 bank branches throughout Australia in readiness for Conversion Day.

When the notes were introduced in 1966, they were made on paper but in early 1988 Australia changed to the polypropylene polymer banknotes which Australia uses today.
Australia doesn't have 1 cent and 2 cent coins anymore and our $1 and $2 are now coins.