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Air and Space Accidents and Incidents

Two dead, three survivors after jet attempts emergency landing, bursts into flames on US highway

After reporting a loss of power to both engines, a pilot skids a small jet across a Florida highway before it bursts into flames.
A small plane lies on its side on the side of a highway, on fire as dark smoke billows from it

Netflix star Matt Wright and company Helibrook accused of falsifying flight records

The NT workplace safety watchdog accuses Matt Wright of interfering with flight record data following a crash that killed his Netflix co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson in 2022.
A man in a blue shirt is surrounded by reporters with microphones and cameras.

Planes at major Queensland airport landing without a single firefighter on duty

The firefighters union is demanding the aviation regulator takes action after five Boeing 737s and a further 59 planes arrived at Sunshine Coast Airport with too few firefighters working in the past two months.
Two aviation firefighters stand in front of a specially designed, bright yellow fire truck.

Coroner's inquiry questions whether recreational pilot was adequately trained before fatal flight

The fiancée of a man who died when his light plane crashed in the Victorian High Country believes he was let down by the system and was not given adequate training to be a safe and competent pilot.
Updated
Matthew Farrell smiles looking at the camera while sitting in the cockpit of a small aeroplane.

Boeing to withdraw MAX 7 safety exemption request as scrutiny intensifies following alarming incidents

US politicians had been pressuring the company to withdraw the request following a harrowing mid-air cabin blowout on January 5 that exposed numerous safety and quality control concerns at one of the world's two major jet makers.
The first Boeing 737 MAX 7 is unveiled in Renton, Washington, U.S. February 5, 2018.

Japan's lunar probe regains power after nine days

A change in the sunlight's direction is believed to helped Japan's SLIM lunar probe regain power more than a week after it ran out.
A yellow spacecraft with a pink line at the end of it surrounded by a bunch of space rocks on the moon.

'That plane shouldn't have been built': Former Boeing workers slam speed over safety culture

Former workers of aviation giant Boeing allege the aircraft manufacturer has cut corners on its production line to meet deadlines, resulting in defects going unnoticed and compromising safety.
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A Boeing 737 MAX 9 sits under construction in a production facility in the US

Light plane crash victim's fiance tells inquest pilot's training 'grossly inadequate'

A coronial inquest into the death of a recreational pilot in the Victorian high country has heard weather conditions, mechanical concerns and inexperience could have contributed to the fatal crash.
A man and woman wearing sunglasses and wearing snow gear smile for a selfie with snowy bush in the background.

Abbott considered sending 'large military deployment' to Ukraine in wake of MH17 disaster

Former defence force chief Angus Houston reveals how Tony Abbott considered sending a "large military deployment" to Ukraine after Russia-backed separatists shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 298 people including 38 Australian citizens and residents.
A sunflower rises in a field in front of debris from a plane crash.

Dozens of passengers support man walking onto plane wing in Mexico after take-off delay

Fellow passengers signed a copy of statement saying the man acted to "protect everyone, with the support of everyone".
One aeroplane takes off and three other plans sit on the tarmac.

Russia and Ukraine clash over cause and details of fatal military plane crash — here is what we know

Russia and Ukraine are trading claims and counterclaims over the crash of a military plane that killed everyone on board, including Ukrainian prisoners of war. Here's a look at what each side is saying, and what's next.
A plume of smoke billows up in the sky after a plane crash.

Ukraine and Russia trade accusations over fatal plane crash that Moscow says involved Ukrainian POWs

Russia and Ukraine trade accusations over the crash of a military transport plane that Moscow says was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war and was shot down by Kyiv's forces, another heated episode in the information war that has been a feature of the conflict.
Russian plane

'Could have been worse': Passengers escape after seaplane crashes into Sydney Harbour

NSW Police says one of the eight occupants had minor injuries and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Updated
People getting off a seaplane in the ocean

US regulators approve inspections which could clear Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes to fly again

The FAA approves an inspection process that will let US airlines resume flying their Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners, which have been grounded since a side panel blew out of a plane in mid-flight earlier this month.
A Boeing 737 MAX 9 sits under construction in a production facility in the US

Ukraine says Russia 'playing with lives' of Ukraine POWs after plane crash. Here's what we know so far

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied Russia's accusation that it deliberately shot down a plane carrying 65 prisoners of war. Here's what we know.
Russian plane

Russian transport plane crashes near Ukraine with 65 Ukrainian POWs on board, Russian defence ministry says

A Russian military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, six crew and three people accompanying them has crashed in Russia's Belgorod region near Ukraine, according to Russia's Defence Ministry.
Updated
Russian plane

'We have an engine fire': Boeing plane's mid-air emergency caught on camera

Investigators say they found a tennis ball-sized hole above one of the plane's engines during a post-flight inspection.
A screenshot from a video showing tops of trees in the foreground and a plane on fire in the sky in the background, at night

Failed US Moon lander believed to have burned up after re-entry over Australia

The Australian Space Agency says it monitored the re-entry to make sure it posed "no threat to people or property".
A screenshot from a satellite video showing a small dot amid streaks of passing debris

'Not without its risks': Final moments of last year's fatal plane crash at Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay revealed

The final moments of a fatal plane crash that killed two people in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay last year have been revealed in a preliminary ATSB report into the incident.
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A red and white plane with damaged wing photo taken from inside another plane.

Police confirm two dead in light plane crash at Boonah, south of Brisbane

It is believed the pilot was attempting to land at Boonah Airfield when the plane crashed. 
Updated
aerial view of a crashed yellow plane

Nevada judge approves $149 million settlement to parents of British tourist killed in Grand Canyon helicopter crash

The parents of Jonathan Udall will receive a cash settlement of $US100 million ($149 million) after he and four others were killed in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon in 2018.
Thick clouds of black smoke and a giant orange and yellow flame and rocks surrounding it.

Boeing CEO admits errors, says mid-air blowout 'can never happen again'

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has acknowledged errors by the plane maker after a Boeing 737 Max 9 had a panel blowout mid-air on an Alaska Airlines flight.
Inside a plane oxygen masks hang from the roof above empty seats near a large hole in the side of the aircraft. A runway outside

Teacher becomes overnight celebrity after discovering Boeing door plug in backyard

Bob Sauer, a science teacher in Portland, Oregon, discovered the Alaska Airlines door plug sitting among the trees in his backyard.
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A man and woman stand next to a plane's door which is on the groiund.

United, Alaska Airlines find loose bolts on grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners

United and Alaska Airlines have both reported loose hardware had been discovered on some of their Boeing 737 MAX9 planes during preliminary inspections after a dramatic mid-flight incident last week.
Updated
A wide shot of a Boeing 737 Max 9 airliner with United Airlines branding landing at an airport

A Boeing's door 'plug' has been found in a backyard after a mid-air blowout. Here's what we know

People in the city of Portland were asked to look out for the door "plug" after the blowout on the Boeing 737 MAX 9. It was found in a teacher's backyard. 
Updated
Inside a plane oxygen masks hang from the roof above empty seats near a large hole in the side of the aircraft. A runway outside