FAA

The FAA is investigating an incident where an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 struck deer upon landing at Kodiak Airport in Alaska. Flight AS231 encountered at least two deer on Runway 26 despite the flight crew reporting their presence to air traffic control. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft taxied to the gate, but the landing gear sustained damage. The incident raises concerns about wildlife strikes at airports, a growing threat to aviation safety.

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) celebrates the first graduating classes from its Aviation program at the Avondale and Long Beach campuses. The 18-month program equips students with skills for aircraft maintenance, addressing a growing industry need. Graduates are prepared for FAA mechanic certification exams. This expansion marks a significant step in UTI’s strategic growth.

FAA reports multiple fatal general aviation incidents within 24 hours, reigniting safety concerns despite post-pandemic industry resurgence. Recent crashes involving a Beechcraft Model 95 in Colorado and a Cessna 172 in New Jersey, along with clustered accidents in Illinois, Nebraska, and New York, underline risks in maintenance protocols, pilot training, and retrofits. The US’s high infrastructure density (25 airfields/10,000 km² vs. Europe’s 9) supports economic efficiency but complicates oversight. Over two-thirds of active aircraft operate outside commercial safety frameworks, while aging fleets (avg. 38 years) face cost barriers to modernization ($300,000/cockpit). Congressional inquiries now address these systemic challenges amid expanded private flight activity (3.5M Q1 2025 hours, 22% higher than 2023).