Aviation’s Worst Week in Years

Good morning! I’m devastated by the relentless stream of bad news that seemed to come in nonstop last week. However, I had a very successful trip to Florida to film some airplanes for the upcoming Flybuyer YouTube channel—a P-51D Mustang, B-25 Mitchell, Boeing Stearman, F-86 Sabre and a Cirrus SR22T. That brings the total number of planes I’ve reviewed to 10. Needless to say, I’m really excited to finally be able to share these videos with you all in the very near future! 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Multiple Aviation Tragedies Across the U.S.

• Around the Skies: Trump appoints new FAA leader, Next-gen flight training with Cirrus, FBO prices soar for Super Bowl, The drone mystery solved, Boeing’s bumpy financial year

• PilotTube: SW-51 Mustang Over Utah’s Skies

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

A Week of Back-To-Back Aviation Tragedies

It’s been a tough week for aviation, as multiple major incidents have made headlines, all of which have shaken the aviation community to its core. The most tragic event of the week occurred over Washington, D.C., where an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air. The crash, which resulted in 67 deaths, marked the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2009. Officials have yet to determine the exact cause, but many aviation experts and pilots have weighed in, including Youtuber Blancolirio who provides an excellent in-depth analysis of the mid-air collision in the video below. He discusses key factors such as minimal altitude separation, communication challenges due to separate frequencies and the potential impact of night vision goggles on the helicopter crew's situational awareness. The video explores how these issues, combined with air traffic control decisions and altitude discrepancies, contributed to the accident, highlighting the need for improved safety measures in busy airspace.

This incident underscores the ongoing risks that both commercial and military aviation face. The collision occurred in a heavily trafficked airspace, raising concerns about the integration of military and civilian flight paths, prompting further scrutiny of safety protocols for both types of aviation. For now, investigators are left piecing together the details of this horrific accident.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, another close call took place as an Air Force F-35 crashed during a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base. Fortunately, the pilot was able to safely eject before the aircraft exploded upon impact—he was taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition. The crash has sparked an investigation by the Air Force, but for now, it serves as another reminder of the unpredictable dangers that come with military aviation, even in training scenarios.

And when we thought the week couldn’t get any more tragic, a medevac plane crashed in Philadelphia, taking the lives of six people, including a child. The air ambulance, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route from Northeast Philadelphia Airport to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it suddenly plunged into a heavily populated area. The crash created an explosion so intense that videos quickly went viral, showing large flames and destruction. Local officials, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have expressed deep sorrow, as multiple homes and cars were caught in the blaze.

While the specifics of the crash remain unclear, Jet Rescue has stated that the plane had been maintained to the highest standards and was in excellent flying condition. The incident is being thoroughly investigated, but it serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be, especially when aviation intersects with densely populated areas. As more details emerge, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the causes of the crash and whether weather conditions, mechanical issues or other factors played a role.

The disastrous week didn’t end there—a collision between an Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ-200 and an aircraft tug at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport left the tug driver in critical condition. The incident occurred as the regional jet, operating under American Eagle, was taxiing toward a gate after arriving from Kalamazoo. Fortunately, no passengers were injured, but the 64-year-old tug driver was pinned under the overturned vehicle, sustaining head and lower body injuries. Meanwhile, in Houston, a United Airlines flight bound for LaGuardia had to abort its takeoff after an engine issue caused flames to erupt from the wing. Passengers safely evacuated using emergency slides, and the plane was delayed as the Houston Fire Department confirmed there was no active fire. Both incidents are under investigation by the FAA and contribute to the growing number of concerns surrounding aviation safety, adding to the series of tragedies and ongoing inquiries this week.

As these five incidents show, aviation is far from a predictable, risk-free endeavor. Whether it's military training, commercial air travel or life-saving medical missions, the challenges faced by both pilots and the aviation community at large are immense. Investigations are already underway, and all we can do now is wait for answers while offering our condolences to the victims and their families. It’s a stark reminder that while aviation offers incredible potential, it can sometimes come with a heavy cost. Let’s hope the skies are kinder in the weeks ahead.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ In response to the deadly D.C. midair collision, President Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator. Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran and former NBAA executive, steps in as the FAA remains leaderless following Mike Whitaker’s resignation. With extensive experience in aviation safety and emergency operations, Rocheleau is expected to provide strong leadership during this critical time for both the agency and the aviation industry.

🛩️ Cirrus has relaunched its Approach pilot training app, now featuring augmented reality to enhance learning. The app offers over 50 courses, ranging from basic flying to advanced training, with interactive modules, videos and quizzes.

🛩️ Ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, local FBOs are charging hefty event fees, with some as high as $17,000 (depending on aircraft size and type). Signature Aviation and other providers are implementing reservation systems and charging for everything from parking to security. This move has sparked complaints from pilot groups, but it seems the high-flying fees are here to stay—at least for Super Bowl weekend.

🛩️ The White House has clarified that recent mysterious drone sightings in the Northeast were authorized by the FAA for research purposes, reassuring the public that no UFOs are involved. After temporary flight restrictions were lifted, sightings surged once again, leaving people to wonder whether these drones are government-approved or just hobbyists having too much fun near military bases. Either way, it seems the drones are here to stay.

🛩️ Boeing reported an $11.8 billion net loss for 2024, primarily driven by union strikes and workforce reductions, with Q4 revenue down by 30%. Despite this, the company made progress in stabilizing its operations, delivering 348 aircraft and maintaining a $521 billion backlog. CEO Kelly Ortberg highlighted ongoing improvements in safety and production, with deliveries of the 777-9 expected in 2026.

PilotTube

This one-minute video might contain the most stunning drone footage I’ve ever seen and the SW-51 Mustang looks absolutely incredible over the Utah landscape.

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