Flight RouteXplorer

✨ Did We Just Spot Santa at 35,000 Feet? ✈️🎅

Passengers stared out of the airplane window… and history (or magic) unfolded.
Through the white oval window, Santa Claus himself was seen racing across the moonlit sky in his sleigh, reindeer blazing a glittering trail through the clouds. 🌙🦌

Was it turbulence?
Was it imagination?
Or was it proof that Santa prefers airspace over chimneys on busy Christmas nights? 🎄
One thing’s certain — even at cruising altitude, Christmas magic flies higher than any aircraft.
🎁✨ Keep your window shade open… you never know who might pass by.

🎄✈️ Christmas Wishes to Our Aviation Family ✈️🎄

7 hours ago | [YT] | 10

Flight RouteXplorer

Greg Biffle was a former NASCAR driver with a career spanning over two decades. He won races across NASCAR’s national series and later focused on business and aviation. His name returned to public attention after a Cessna C550 plane linked to him crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, killing multiple people, including his family, according to a close friend.

== Background and Early Life ==
Greg Biffle was born on December 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington. He began racing in local series before entering NASCAR in the mid-1990s. His early success helped him move quickly through NASCAR’s ranks. He became known across the sport for steady results and long-term participation.

== NASCAR Career Explained ==
Greg Biffle started his NASCAR career in 1996. He was named Rookie of the Year in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1998. He won the Truck Series championship in 2000. He moved to the Busch Series and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2001. He won the Busch Series championship in 2002.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, Biffle won 19 races. He raced full time from 2003 to 2016, mainly with Roush Racing. In 2005, he won six races and finished second in the championship standings. He was known for strong performances at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He won the season-ending race there three straight years from 2004 to 2006.
Biffle is one of the few drivers to win championships in both the Busch Series and the Truck Series. He won races in all three NASCAR national touring series. His final Cup Series start came at the 2022 Geico 500. In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

== Family and Personal Life ==
Greg Biffle married Cristina Grossu in January 2023. The couple shared a son, Ryder Jack Biffle, born in September 2020. Biffle also had a daughter, Emma Elizabeth, from his previous marriage to Nicole Lunders. Emma was 14 years old at the time of the crash.
Biffle and his family made limited public appearances. He remained active on social media and in racing circles through friendships with motorsports creators and former drivers.

== Statesville Plane Crash ==
Greg Biffle was linked to a fatal plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in Iredell County, North Carolina, on Thursday at around 10:15 a.m. local time. The aircraft was a Cessna C550 business jet with tail number N257BW. Business records show it was owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a company tied to Biffle.
Flight tracking data showed the plane took off from Statesville, attempted to return shortly after departure, and crashed while trying to land. The aircraft went up in flames on impact. Authorities confirmed fatalities but did not immediately release the number of people on board.
Biffle’s close friend and YouTuber Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, later confirmed on Facebook that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on the plane and died in the crash. Officials said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. The airport was closed due to debris.

==Net Worth and Business Ventures ==
reg Biffle had an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2025. His income came from race winnings, sponsorships, endorsements, and business ventures. He owned aviation assets, including planes and a helicopter, through his company.
After retiring from full-time racing, he earned money from appearances, events, and investments. His long NASCAR career provided a stable financial base.

== Hurricane Helene Rescue Efforts ==
In 2024, Greg Biffle used his helicopter during Hurricane Helene rescue efforts in North Carolina. He helped transport stranded residents and supplies. He shared updates online about damaged areas and recovery progress months later.

== Political Posts and Public Attention ==
Greg Biffle drew attention in early 2025 after sharing photos with President Donald Trump before the Daytona 500. He responded to criticism by stating he had met several presidents when given the opportunity. The post resurfaced after news of the crash.

20 hours ago | [YT] | 5

Flight RouteXplorer

Santa flight with call sign R3DN053, registered as HOHOHO, the supersonic craft (sleigh) cruising at 60,000 feet has reached Myanmar.

22 hours ago | [YT] | 17

Flight RouteXplorer

A Falcon 50 business jet carrying Libyan military leaders crashed approximately 30 minutes after take off from Ankara on 23 December. According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft was carrying Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, the Libyan army chief, along with at least four others.

The Falcon 50 operated by Harmony Jets Malta departed Ankara at 17:17:24 UTC, climbing to cruising altitude at 32,475 feet at 17:32. Beginning at 17:33:25 the aircraft experienced a brief, but high negative vertical speed, lasting just a few seconds.

This flight was operated by a Dassault Falcon 50 registered 9H-DFS (MSN 185). The 37 year old aircraft is operated by Harmony Jets Malta.

1 day ago | [YT] | 11

Flight RouteXplorer

Ryanair flight FR5667 from Edinburgh to Faro clipped a fuel truck while taxiing on December 22, 2025, triggering an emergency response, on‑stand evacuation, and hours-long delay for Algarve-bound passengers despite no injuries or fire and only minor aircraft damage.

Although no injuries were reported and there was no fire, the incident forced the grounding of the original aircraft, triggered a visible deployment of fire and rescue resources on the apron, and led to a delayed departure for holidaymakers bound for Portugal’s Algarve coast.

The incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m. local time as Ryanair flight FR5667, a Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, taxied toward the runway at Edinburgh Airport ahead of its scheduled service to Faro.

According to statements from the airline and emergency services, the aircraft’s wingtip made contact with the cab of a fuel truck positioned close to the taxiway, resulting in minor structural damage to the jet and bringing its departure to an abrupt halt.

1 day ago | [YT] | 17

Flight RouteXplorer

The FAA is investigating the activation of the Garmin Autoland system on a King Air 200 in Colorado on Saturday, Dec 20.

A Beechcraft Super King Air landed safely at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Colorado around 2:20 p.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 20, after the pilot lost communication with air traffic control. An onboard emergency autoland system was activated. Two people were on board. The FAA is investigating.

The agency declined to elaborate on the nature of its investigation but CBS News reported a pressurization issue was involved in the Autoland activation. The Fox News affiliate in Denver reported that the local fire department was puzzled by the emergency response to the airport since neither of the men on the plane required treatment or transport to a hospital. In the event of a depressurization, the Garmin system immediately begins an emergency descent to 15,000 feet and if the pilots do not intervene the Autoland sequence begins automatically.

The NTSB is also looking into it and it, too, is not providing any detail. “We are aware of the event and currently collecting information to determine if it meets the criteria for an investigation,” the NTSB said in a statement.

Garmin earlier confirmed it was the first non-test use of its Autoland system. “Garmin can confirm that an emergency Autoland activation occurred at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado,” the company said in a statement Sunday. “The Autoland took place on Sat., Dec. 20, resulting in a successful landing. We look forward to sharing additional details at the appropriate time.” Garmin also confirmed that it was the first use of the system that was not a test or a demonstration.

Social media posts from flight tracking hobbyists reported a King Air 200 squawked 7700 about 2 p.m. local time today. The Autoland system was initiated and landed the aircraft at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport near Denver. A recording from LiveATC’s feed of the airport’s tower frequency includes a robotic female voice declaring a pilot incapacitation and the intention to land on Runway 30. The aircraft landed successfully and there have been no reports of injuries. The nature of the incapacitation and the condition of the pilot have not been released. VASAviation put together this nice animation of the event below.

2 days ago | [YT] | 29

Flight RouteXplorer

A Mexican Navy Beechcraft King Air 350i carrying eight people crashed into Galveston Bay on Dec 22, Monday afternoon while approaching Scholes International Airport in heavy fog.

The flight was a Mexican military medical evacuation with two pilots and six passengers.

A U.S. Coast Guard official three people are confirmed dead in the plane crash Monday afternoon over Galveston Bay, clarifying an earlier report.

One of the three dead is a 2-year-old child. The identities of the other two deceased, who were found dead upon extraction of the wreckage, are unknown.

The Coast Guard told two individuals were transported to local medical centers for treatment. Another individual, a 27-year-old woman, has recovered completely uninjured, per the Coast Guard.

The official told rescuers are searching for at least one additional individual. The Coast Guard confirmed that eight people were reported on the plane.

2 days ago | [YT] | 19

Flight RouteXplorer

The Korean National Assembly has voted to approve a cross-party investigation into the Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people when a Boeing 737-800 collided with an embankment at Muan International Airport (MWX) during an emergency landing.

The plan to launch an independent investigation was approved by 245 votes to one on December 22, 2025, with the probe set to start immediately for a period of 40 days, with the possibility of extension.

The independent special committee will comprise 18 members, including nine from the Democratic Party of Korea, seven from the People Power Party, and two from non-negotiating groups.

A preliminary report released in January 2025, into had pointed to bird strikes as the likely cause of the deadly crash on December 29, 2024.

In July 2025, the Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) said in an interim report that the Jeju Air crash may have resulted from the pilot mistakenly shutting down the wrong engine after a bird strike.

With the right engine already powerless due to the bird strike, shutting down the left engine caused a complete loss of thrust, leaving the crew with no available power.

The committee investigation will look into the cause of the crash and where the responsibility lies for the disaster.

The probe will also ask whether the risk of bird strikes at the airport was underestimated and whether any of the aircraft engines or any other parts were defected.

Another area of investigation will be the design, construction, and management of the Muan Airport concrete localizer structure.

2 days ago | [YT] | 19

Flight RouteXplorer

Following the plane crash that tragically killed NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and six others on December 18, 2025, several questions remain unanswered as the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is ongoing.

Questions that haunts:

What caused the crash?
The exact cause of the crash has not been determined. Investigators are reviewing all factors, including weather conditions (heavy drizzle was observed), but no conclusions have been reached.

Who was flying the plane?
There were three licensed pilots on board the Cessna C550, including Biffle, but investigators have not yet verified who was at the controls at the time of the crash.

Why did the plane attempt to return to the airport?
The aircraft departed the Statesville Regional Airport and was airborne for approximately 10 minutes before turning back for an emergency landing attempt. The specific circumstances that prompted this decision are a primary focus of the investigation. A text message with the words "emergency landing" was sent from a passenger to a family member shortly before the crash.

Investigation Details
The plane was returning to the airport when it came in very low, struck a runway light stanchion, impacted trees and an airport fence, and then crashed near the runway before erupting into a large fire.
The NTSB has recovered the cockpit voice recorder, which has been sent to Washington D.C. for analysis.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash, but a final report determining the cause could take 12 to 18 months.

2 days ago | [YT] | 11

Flight RouteXplorer

An Air India Boeing 777 returned safely to Delhi on Monday morning after one engine (right side) shutdown soon after take off. Since twin engine aircraft can land safely on one engine, VT-ALS returned to Delhi.

The aircraft had taken off as Al 887 for Mumbai at 6.10 am and was back around 6.52 am, per flight tracing sites.
Apart from investigating the engine trouble, the DGCA also oversaw that passenger inconvenience after this
air turn back was minimised. Air India arranged another B777 (VT-ALP) to take them to their destination.

Refreshments were provided at the boarding gate. "Passenger boarding commenced at 9.06 am and the alternate aircraft is expected to take off around 10 am," said an official.

An Al spokesperson said: "The crew operating flight Al 887 from Delhi to Mumbai on Dec 22 decided to return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a technical issue as per standard operating procedure. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi and the passengers and crew have disembarked. Air India sincerely regrets inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation. The aircraft is undergoing the necessary checks.

3 days ago | [YT] | 38