NEW DELHI: There have been 15 aviation incidents in the first six weeks of 2025, including four major plane crashes that resulted in 85 deaths.
This alarming trend, particularly in light of personnel cuts at the FAA, raises concerns about potential system flaws, whether in staffing, oversight, or preparedness.
The loss of experienced air traffic controllers and safety personnel can weaken safeguards and lead to operational failures.
The recent Delta flight incident in Toronto, where a plane flipped on the runway, further adds to the growing concern.
The focus has shifted to the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s administration, which has fired hundreds of FAA employees, including air traffic controllers and aviation safety personnel—individuals crucial for preventing mid-air collisions.
The string of incidents began on January 29, with a catastrophic mid-air crash over Washington D.C., claiming 67 lives. On January 31, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia. A Bering Air flight crashed in Alaska on February 6, followed by a Learjet collision with a parked jet in Scottsdale on February 10. The Delta crash, which saw a plane lose a wing upon landing in heavy wind and snow, resulted in 18 people being hospitalised, including a child, with two in critical but stable condition.
Videos show crew members guiding passengers off the plane while firefighters worked to prevent a fire outbreak.