Latest Federal Aviation Administration News

Forget driverless cars. One company wants autonomous helicopters to spray crops and fight fires

Nov. 19, 2024 10:30 AM EST

HENNIKER, N.H. (AP) — When Hector Xu was learning to fly a helicopter in college, he recalled having a few “nasty experiences” while trying to navigate at night. The heart-stopping flights led to his research of unmanned aircraft systems while getting his doctorate degree in...

Bullet strikes Southwest Airlines plane without injuries at Dallas airport

Nov. 16, 2024 14:34 PM EST

DALLAS (AP) — A bullet struck the body of a Southwest Airlines airplane preparing for departure from a Dallas airport, forcing the cancellation of the Friday evening flight, the airline said. No injuries were reported and law enforcement was contacted after the bullet struck the...

New details emerge in deadly Catalina Island plane crash off the Southern California coast

Nov. 07, 2024 16:40 PM EST

A new report from federal officials has revealed what happened leading up to a plane crash on a Southern California island that killed all five people aboard took off in the dark despite not having clearance to do so. The twin-engine Beechcraft 95 crashed as it was attempting to take...

5 are killed when small jet crashes into vehicle after taking off in suburban Phoenix

Nov. 06, 2024 03:54 AM EST

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — A small jet crashed into a vehicle Tuesday after taking off from a suburban Phoenix airport, killing five people, police said. The plane crashed while taking off from Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, police there said in a statement. The Honda HA-420 light business...

Flying air taxis move closer to US takeoff with issuing of FAA rule

Oct. 22, 2024 17:43 PM EDT

Federal regulators gave a strong push to electric-powered air taxis Tuesday by issuing a final rule for operating the aircraft and how pilots will be trained to fly them. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, said the rule recognizes air taxis as an entirely...

Plane crashes during air show at Las Cruces International Airport

Oct. 20, 2024 19:11 PM EDT

Las Cruces, N.M. (AP) — A plane crashed during Sunday's air show at the Las Cruces International Airport, but there was no immediate word if the pilot survived. Authorities said a plane went down during the second annual show of the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo and the event...

5 dead after a small plane crashes on Santa Catalina Island off the Southern California coast

Oct. 09, 2024 14:29 PM EDT

AVALON, Calif. (AP) — Five people were killed when a small plane crashed during takeoff from Santa Catalina Island off the Southern California coast, authorities said Wednesday. The twin-engine Beechcraft 95 crashed shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, just moments after it departed from...

3 killed when a medical helicopter headed to pick up a patient crashes in Kentucky

Oct. 08, 2024 17:32 PM EDT

OWENTON, Ky. (AP) — Three crew members were killed when a medical helicopter heading to pick up a patient hit a wire and crashed in Kentucky, authorities said. The crash was reported Monday evening in Owenton near state Highway 22, Kentucky State Police said in a news release....

Authorities are investigating after a Frontier Airlines plane lands with fire in one engine

Oct. 06, 2024 15:51 PM EDT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal authorities said Sunday that they are investigating the emergency landing of a Frontier Airlines plane in Las Vegas. The Federal Aviation Administration said Frontier Flight 1326 from San Diego with 190 passengers aboard was in the process of landing...

Multiple people dead after plane crash at Wright Brothers National Memorial’s First Flight Airport

Sep. 28, 2024 21:12 PM EDT

MANTEO, N.C. (AP) — Multiple people died after a single-engine plane crashed Saturday afternoon in a wooded area at Wright Brothers National Memorial’s First Flight Airport, the National Park Service said. The crash occurred at 5 p.m. as, according to eyewitnesses, the airplane...