Aviation News
Curated FAA, NTSB, and AOPA-sourced briefs for GA pilots
Ceiba, Puerto Rico Gets Class D and E Airspace at Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR)
FAA Final Rule establishes new Class D surface-to-2,500 MSL within 5 nm and Class E from 700 ft AGL within 7 nm at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR). Effective July 9, 2026.
FAA Proposes ALS Revision for Cessna 408 SkyCourier: Stabilizer Spar Crack Inspection
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 2026-08322 would mandate repetitive inspections of horizontal and vertical stabilizer forward and aft spars on the Textron Aviation Cessna 408. Comments due June 15, 2026...
GAO Faults FAA on Regional Pilot Pipeline: No Timelines for EQP and DPE Reforms
GAO-26-107856 finds the FAA has not established timelines for the Enhanced Qualification Program or the DPE national office report, both required by the 2024 Reauthorization Act.
NTSB Sets Investigative Hearing for UPS Flight 2976 (MD-11F, Louisville): What the May 19-20 Proceeding Will Cover
The National Transportation Safety Board's two-day investigative hearing for UPS Flight 2976 — the November 4, 2025 Boeing MD-11F accident at KSDF — is scheduled May 19-20, 2026 in Washington.
SPC Day-2 Slight Risk for Tuesday: Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley Under Convective Watch
Storm Prediction Center places a Slight Risk over portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee for Tuesday May 6, 2026. KDFW, KOKC, KTUL, KMEM, KLIT under threat.
AOPA Refreshes BasicMed Resource Hub for 2026 Renewals
AOPA's rebuilt BasicMed homepage and online course replace branching scenarios with linear guidance for new applicants and renewers.
Boeing 737 MAX: Three Orders and a Delivery in Seven Days
Copa, Biman, and EgyptAir each touched the Boeing 737 MAX line between April 28 and May 3, 2026. What the back-to-back announcements signal for backlog momentum, the 42-per-month rate, and pilot deman...
Cessna 421C Crashes Near Wimberley, Texas; Five Fatalities, NTSB Investigating
A Cessna 421C twin-engine piston aircraft crashed in wooded terrain near Wimberley, Texas on the night of April 30, 2026. Five occupants died. NTSB has assumed lead for the investigation.
FAA AD 2026-08322: Cessna 408 SkyCourier Stabilizer Inspection
FAA AD 2026-08322 mandates horizontal stabilizer spar inspection on Cessna 408 SkyCourier per revised AMM. Plan downtime before next 100-hour or annual.
FAA Emergency AD 2026-08-51: Airbus Helicopters H145 Rotor Hub-Shaft Inspection
FAA published Emergency AD 2026-08-51 on April 29, 2026, mandating crack inspection of the main rotor hub-shaft on Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK 117 D-3 (H145) helicopters. Effective May 14, 2026.
United 169 Boeing 767 Strikes Light Pole and Truck on Short Final to Newark Runway 29
United Flight 169, a Boeing 767-300ER inbound from Venice, struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike during short final to KEWR Runway 29 on May 3, 2026. NTSB has assumed le...
VFR Sectional 26-03 Cycle Effective May 14: What Changes
FAA AeroNav rolls the 26-03 charting cycle on May 14, 2026. What Part 91/135 pilots need to refresh on EFBs and paper before the cutover weekend.
FAA AD on CRJ-700/900 Anti-Yaw Damper / Stabilizer
FAA AD 2026-0728 mandates anti-yaw block fastener replacement on CRJ-700/900/1000 fleets effective May 26, 2026, superseding AD 2025-22-02.
FAA AD on Dassault Falcon 7X — Slat MAIC M2138
FAA adopts EASA AD 2025-0092 for Falcon 7X with mod M1000, mandating MAIC software upgrade M2138 to restore silent slat extension failure CAS alert.
NTSB Confirms Corrosion in Both GE CF34 Engines on Challenger 604
NTSB final report identifies systemic variable-geometry corrosion in both CF34 engines as the probable cause of the Hop-A-Jet accident in Naples, FL.
TCAS Saves Two Southwest 737s in Nashville Near-Miss
Two Southwest Boeing 737s came within 500 feet over Nashville. TCAS Resolution Advisories prevented collision. What pilots should know.