We start the new week with the following stories...
Be safe out there!
Tom
--
Emergency return: 200 passengers evacuate Delta flight in Atlanta
By Rey Llerena and Ella Talmadge - FOX 5 Atlanta
The Brief
-
- A Delta flight from Atlanta to Orlando made an emergency return Saturday morning following reports of fumes in the cockpit.
-
- Emergency crews met the Boeing 757 on the taxiway, where 205 passengers and crew members evacuated using inflatable slides.
-
- All passengers were transported via bus back to the terminal while maintenance teams inspect the aircraft and Delta works to re-board travelers on a new flight.
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - An Orlando-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to turn back to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday morning after fumes were reported on the flight deck.
Delta flight emergency return
What we know: 
A Boeing 757 operating as Delta Flight 2204 departed Atlanta for Orlando on Saturday carrying 199 customers and six crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew declared an emergency and navigated the plane back to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport due to reports of fumes in the cockpit, according to a Delta spokesperson.
First responders met the aircraft on an airport taxiway, where travelers and crew members evacuated the jet using emergency slides. Ground crews then transported everyone by bus back to the main terminal, according to airline officials.
Flight deck fume investigation
What they're saying:
Delta confirmed that travelers are being re-accommodated on a replacement aircraft to complete their trip to Orlando, according to an airline representative. Maintenance crews remain on site to conduct a full inspection of the grounded plane.
"The flight crew followed procedures to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after reports of fumes on the flight deck. A slide evacuation occurred on a taxiway, and customers are being re-accommodated on a new aircraft. Safety is paramount at Delta, and we apologize to our customers for their experience," a Delta spokesperson said in a statement.
Airline officials have not yet confirmed what caused the fumes inside the cockpit, according to a Delta spokesperson. Maintenance teams are currently evaluating the Boeing 757 to determine the origin of the issue.
Passenger describes panic in the air
Jordan Conlin, a passenger traveling on the flight with his family, described the chaotic moments in the air after takeoff.
Colin said the initial minutes of the flight seemed normal until the pilot announced over the intercom that fumes had filled the cockpit, requiring both pilots to put on oxygen masks and turn the plane back to Atlanta. As the aircraft neared Hartsfield-Jackson, crew members instructed passengers to brace.
"When the pilot’s yelling brace, brace, brace during the landing, I’m just thinking, holy crap, how bad is the situation, actually?" Conlin said.
While Conlin noted a slight smell of jet fuel exhaust inside the cabin, he said the plane landed smoothly before emergency responders met the jet on the taxiway.
Video shared with FOX 5 Atlanta showed people standing on the taxiway right after evacuating the plane.
"Getting off the plane felt amazing because it was just such chaos," Conlin recalled. "You’ve got people screaming and yelling and panicking... You never think it’s going to be you, and all of a sudden what should be a normal flight becomes very, very scary."
Conlin and his family were taken back to the terminal and eventually arrived safely in Orlando after being placed on a replacement flight.
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/emergency-return-over-200-passengers-evacuate-delta-flight-atlanta
Plane Crash in Ukiah Downtown
Kym Kemp
An airplane crashed into power lines in the main part of Ukiah late this morning, Friday, August 7, bringing down lines. A small fire was reported over the scanner as a result. 
The crash was reported at approximately 10:34 a.m. near North Main and East Smith streets–a block north of the library. Initial reports indicate no one was injured.
Emergency personnel closed North Main Street between Perkins and Norton streets while firefighters and other responders worked at the scene. The aircraft was identified as N113AS which is a PZL-104 Wilga 35A whose flight plan shows that the plane left Red Bluff this morning.
No buildings or vehicles or people appear to have been damaged. Some trashcans are damaged though.
The incident remains under investigation. Please avoid the area while emergency crews are working.
We will update as more information becomes available.
UPDATE 7:57 p.m.: The FAA reports, “A PZL-104 crashed onto a street in Ukiah, California, around 10:50 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 7. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate.”
https://kymkemp.com/2026/08/07/plane-crash-in-ukiah-downtown/
Firefighting helicopter crashes near Widemouth 2 Fire in Utah
by Jonathan May & Aubree B. Jennings, KUTV
KANOSH, Utah (KUTV) — A Sikorsky S-64 helicopter 
crashed near Richfield, Utah, at about 10 a.m. local time Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The helicopter reportedly crashed Friday morning near the south end of the Widemouth 2 Fire.
The FAA said two people were on board the aircraft. On Saturday morning, the National Interagency Fire Center confirmed that both died in the crash.
"Today personnel are responding to an incident regarding firefighting aviation near the Widemouth 2 Fire.
Wildland firefighting is among the most dangerous jobs in the world. Today is a painful reminder of the extraordinary risks these brave men and women accept to protect us.
We ask all Utahns to keep them in your prayers and to give investigators and emergency responders the time and space they need. We will share more information as it becomes available."
The Sevier County Sheriff's Office said it and Search and Rescue responded to the Three Creeks Reservoir area after a firefighting helicopter went down.
Fire conditions prevented access to the crash site, and the sheriff's office said it was coordinating with the fire's incident command to determine when it would be safe to enter the area.
“Due to the fire activity kind of overran the area, so no escape routes that any firefighters can get into or out of if we had put them in there. We would’ve put them at bigger risk,” said Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis.
The crash remains under investigation, and the sheriff's office said it is working with agencies that have jurisdiction over aircraft and aircraft accidents.
Personnel responded to an incident involving a 
firefighting helicopter near the Widemouth 2 Fire on the Fishlake National Forest, according to officials.
Officials said the situation remained active and developing, with emergency personnel at the scene. They said their top priority was responding to the incident and that local, state and federal authorities were assisting.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide future updates, the FAA said.
Officials with the incident management team confirmed there was an "incident" but did not provide additional details.
The Widemouth 2 Fire is the second-largest wildfire of Utah's 2026 fire season, behind the Babylon Fire, which burned more than 107,000 acres in San Juan County.
A somber feeling now hangs over the fire camp set up in the middle of Fillmore. But despite the tragedy, fire managers say they still have a job to do.
“We have a mission to focus on. We’re going to continue fighting fire and trying those communities out there and at the same time take care of our responders,” the deputy incident manager said.
Pilot injured after small plane lands in woods near Conway Airport
by Elizabeth Foley
CONWAY S.C. (WPDE) — UPDATE- As of 10:35 a.m., the incident was under control, and HCFR crews are clearing the scene. 
No one was transported to the hospital with injuries.
Specialized towing crews will work to remove the aircraft from the woods.
A pilot was injured after a small plane landed in the woods near North Pawleys Road on Sunday morning, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
HCFR was dispatched at 8:38 a.m. to the area of Conway Airport for a reported airplane incident.
The small plane landed in the woods and sustained some damage, according to HCFR.
The pilot was the only person on board and was located with reported injuries.
The Myrtle Beach International Airport Fire Department, Horry County Police Department and City of Conway Fire Department assisted at the scene.
https://wpde.com/news/local/pilot-injured-after-small-plane-lands-in-woods-near-conway-airport-horry-county-fire-rescue-airplane-incident-he-myrtle-beach-international-airport-fire-department-horry-county-police-department-and-city-of-conway-fire-department
Emergency response underway at Michael J. Smith Field Airport in Beaufort
by News 12 Staff
Carteret County-NC — There is an ongoing emergency with emergency crews on the scene at the Michael J. Smith Field Airport in Beaufort. 
According to the Carteret County EMS Director and Craven County Sheriff's Office, no injuries are reported this time, there is no fire, and Haz-Mat crews from Cherry Point have been requested to mitigate a leak from the aircraft emergency.
Details are limited at this time.
Plane crash reported near Arp, injuries confirmed
ARP, Texas (KLTV) - A plane crashed between Arp and Overton on Sunday afternoon. One person was reported to be on board. 
Smith County Emergency Services reports that the crash occurred in a field off County Road 227 just before 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the plane was an Avid Mark IV experimental airplane. A single-engine, two-seater kit plane popular across the United States.
Injuries have been reported, but no information is available on the status of anyone on board as of 6 p.m.
Members of Smith County Emergency Services, DPS, Smith Co. Sherriff’s office, UT Health and a Texas game warden are on scene.
Smith Co. Emergency Services Battalion Chief Raymond Murrillo stated that the FAA was on the way to conduct a full investigation.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/08/09/plane-crash-reported-near-arp-injuries-confirmed/
2 people critically injured after small plane crashes in wooded area in Dawson County, officials say
One person was outside the airplane when crews arrived, while the second person was heavily entrapped in the wreckage.
Author: Reeves Jackson, Aaron Waisler
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Two people were critically injured Sunday after a small airplane crashed in a wooded area just outside Elliott Air Field in Dawson County, officials said.
The crash happened around noon, prompting emergency crews to respond to the area.
Responders located the downed aircraft and found two people inside. One person was outside the airplane when crews arrived, while the second person was heavily entrapped in the wreckage.
Emergency crews immediately began treating the person who was outside the aircraft while additional responders worked to safely extricate the person trapped inside.
One person was taken to a hospital by ambulance, while the second person that was trapped was airlifted.
Both people involved in the crash are in critical condition.
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/small-plane-crashes-near-elliot-field-dawson-county-officials-report/85-0dce97f8-945d-4207-9722-e9443029564e
NTSB Prelim: Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B
When The Airplane Was About 50 Feet Above Ground Level, The Engine Lost Power Abruptly
Location: Livonia, MO Accident Number: CEN26LA269
Date & Time: July 27, 2026, 08:19 Local Registration: N7799V
Aircraft: Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
On July 27, 2026, about 0819 central daylight time, an Aero Commander Callair A-9B airplane, N7799V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Livonia, Missouri. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight.
The pilot stated that he was spraying a field at the time of the accident. When the airplane was about 50 feet above ground level, the engine lost power abruptly as it came over a tree line on a final application pass. The pilot conducted a forced landing into the soybean field. The airplane sustained damage to the ailerons, fuselage, empennage and rudder during the forced landing.
The pilot informed investigators that the airplane was fully fueled before the flight. Examinations of the engine and airframe fuel system are planned following recovery of the airplane from the accident site.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Final Report: Air Vev Inc Air Zero2
The Aircraft Was Flying Level When It Suddenly Pitched Up, Near Vertically, And Then Rapidly Descended Sideways
Location: Indiantown, Florida Accident Number: DCA26FA019
Date & Time: October 23, 2025, 12:11 Local Registration: N514AX
Aircraft: Air Vev Inc Air Zero2 Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test
Analysis: On October 23, 2025, about 1211 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), an experimental Air VEV, Inc. Zero 2 advanced air mobility (AAM) electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, N514AX, lost control while maneuvering to land at Indiantown Airport (X58), Indiantown, Florida. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operated by a remote pilot as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate of Authorization (COA). The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. There were no injuries.
The Air VEV Zero 2 is equipped with 8 coaxial pairs of electric engines, each with 4 fixed-pitch propeller blades. The airframe has a fixed quad-cycle landing gear. The aircraft is flown visual line of sight (VLOS) by a remote pilot. A ground control station operator monitors telemetry, aircraft system status, and signal status. The remote pilot and ground control station operator are in communication with each other. According to the remote pilot and ground control station operator, the aircraft was flying a circuit pattern with no anomalies for the first completed circuit.
During the second circuit, the motor temperatures began to increase. As a result, the remote pilot stated he began a descent and slowed the aircraft to prepare for landing. A ground witness video, which captured the last 8 seconds of the accident flight, showed the aircraft was flying level when it suddenly pitched up, near vertically, and then rapidly descended sideways (left wing down) to the ground until impact.
The airframe manufacturer conducted postaccident analysis and testing of exemplar motors electronic speed controllers. Testing showed that high electrical current rate spikes could result in a shutdown of the motor as a hardware protection feature. Sudden increases in motor loads, such as during maneuvering, could result in these current rate spikes. During the accident flight, one of the aft motors likely shut down due to an irregular current spike caused by a sudden increase of load due to maneuvers. The shutdown of an aft motor resulted in a sudden increased load on adjacent aft motors that also led them to shut down. As the forward motors and propellers continued to produce thrust, the aircraft pitched up abruptly once thrust from the aft motors were lost.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- A cascading shutoff of multiple aft motors due to a sudden increase in motor loads during maneuvering, resulting in a loss of control.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Prelim: Glasair I RG
When The Engine Lost Power, The Pilot Switched The EFIS To The Engine Management Page And It Showed That The Airplane’s Header Tank Was Empty
Location: Utica, MN Accident Number: CEN26LA250
Date & Time: July 9, 2026, 18:05 Local Registration: N141CG
Aircraft: Glasair I RG Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On July 9, 2026, about 1805 central daylight time, a Glasair 1RG airplane, N141CG, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Utica, Minnesota. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that the flight was for the purpose of checking the electric pitch trim system of the airplane. While testing the system in flight, at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 ft msl, the engine lost power. At this time the pilot had the electronic flight information (EFIS) screen of his avionics suite displaying mostly flight information. When the engine lost power, the pilot switched the EFIS to the engine management page and it showed that the airplane’s header tank was empty.
The pilot attempted to restore engine power but was unsuccessful. He executed a forced landing to a road. During the landing, while attempting to avoid obstacles along the roadway. The airplane went off the road and struck a culvert before coming to rest. During the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage.
Discussion regarding the airplane’s fuel system with the pilot and with the original builder of the airplane revealed that the airplane had a single main wing tank, and a fuselage mounted header tank. Each tank was connected to a selector valve which determined which tank the engine would draw fuel from. In addition, there was a transfer pump installed that allowed pumping fuel from the wing tank to the header tank. Any overflow of fuel from the header tank would return to the wing tank. The original builder stated that it was possible to leave the transfer pump on at all times with the selector valve set to the header tank.
The pilot stated that during the accident flight the transfer pump switch was in the “on” position and he verified this when the engine lost power. Once the engine lost power the pilot switched the fuel selector to the main wing tank and attempted to restart the engine without success. Further testing of the transfer pump is planned.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
12 Years ago today: On 10 August 2014 Sepahan Airlines flight 5915, an Iranian-built Antonov An-140, crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran-Mehrabad Airport, Iran, killing 40 occupants; 8 survived the accident.
| Date: | Sunday 10 August 2014 |
| Time: | 09:21 |
| Type: | HESA IrAn-140-100 |
| Owner/operator: | Sepahan Airlines |
| Registration: | EP-GPA |
| MSN: | 9005 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2008 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1405 hours |
| Cycles: | 1058 flights |
| Engine model: | Klimov TV3-117VMA-SBM1 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 40 / Occupants: 48 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | ca 3 km NNW of Tehran-Mehrabad Airport (THR) - Iran |
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Tehran-Mehrabad Airport (THR/OIII) |
| Destination airport: | Tabas Airport (TCX/OIMT) |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB Iran |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
Sepahan Airlines flight 5915, an Iranian-built Antonov An-140, crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran-Mehrabad Airport, Iran, killing 40 occupants; 8 survived the accident.
The aircraft operated flight 5915 to Tabas, Iran, carrying 42 passengers and six crew members. It was heavily loaded and 190 kg over the maximum takeoff weight.
Weather was normal for Mehrabad Airport with an ambient air temperature 35°C and a 10 knot crosswind.
For departure the crew selected 10° of flaps, which was not approved according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the airline. Additionally the crew did not set the elevator trim tab and the rudder trim tab to the positions complying with the requirements of the AFM. The elevator trim tab was set to -2° instead of 0° or +6° depending on the aircraft CG position. The rudder trim tab was not set to the neutral position, its angle before take-off was about -3°.
The flight was cleared for takeoff from runway 29L. During the takeoff roll, the no.2 engine suffered an automatic shutdown. Two seconds later the captain rotated the aircraft at the speed of about 219 km/h (whereas 224 km/h was the recommended speed).
Immediately after rotating, the captain noticed that the engine had failed and stated this to the co-pilot. After lift-off the aircraft deviated to the right from runway course, climbed around 40 m. The failure continuous warning chime and light then activated by about 14 seconds delay. The no.2 propeller was not feathered by the flight crew and it took 17 seconds, after engine shutdown, for the auto feather to kick in.
By then the aircraft already had lost airspeed and altitude. The aircraft stalled and crashed in the area of urban utility service at the side of a highway, at a distance of about 3000 m from the runway threshold. The aircraft broke up and a fire broke out, destroying most of the fuselage.
The IrAn-140 is an Antonov 140 turboprop aircraft, built under license by HESA in Iran. Sepahan Air, which is a division of HESA, operated six IrAn-140's at the time of the accident.
Causes:
The accident investigation team determined that the main cause of this accident was combination of:
1. Electronic engine control (SAY-2000) failure simultaneously with engine No. 2 shutdown, just about 2 seconds before aircraft lift-off.
2. AFM Confusing performance chart resulted the pilots relying on performance calculation that, significantly over-estimate the aircraft MTOM.
Contributing Factors to the accident were:
1. Aircraft flight manual unclear procedure, including the procedure for calculating maximum allowable take-off weight, VR and V2 and ambiguity in the climb segment definition and applications.
2. Crew performance, including:
- PIC rotated the aircraft at the speed of about 219 km/h (whereas 224 km/h is the speed recommended by the AFM table 4.2.3)
- The crew failed to perform the manual propeller feathering procedure for the failed engine.
- The PIC's decision to fly with the aircraft, notwithstanding, had about 190 kg overweight.
- Aircraft fuel was about 500 kg more than required fuel for the accident flight.
3. The appearance of negative thrust from the unfeathered propeller blades at takeoff were not considered during the aircraft certification tests, as it was considered improbable. However, in the accident flight the negative thrust did appear and affected the flight performance.
METAR:
04:30 UTC / 09:00 local time:
OIII 100430Z 06010KT CAVOK 35/M02 Q1013 A2992 NOSIG
05:00 UTC / 09:30 local time:
OIII 100500Z 07008KT 9999 FEW040 SCT100 36/M02 Q1013 A2992 NOSIG
Winds from 070 degrees at 8 knots; Visibility: 10+ km; Few clouds at 4000 feet, Scattered clouds at 10000 feet; Pressure: 1013mb; Temperature: 36°C; Dewpoint: -3°C
