Aviation Daily Brief - February 18, 2026

Major FAA Policy Shift on Pilot Hiring

• Merit-Based Hiring Mandate: The FAA has mandated that airlines must certify that pilots are hired based on merit rather than diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria. Failure to comply may result in investigations.
• This directive was issued by Secretary Duffy as part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration.
• Reported by multiple sources including Fox Business and USA Today.

Deadly Midair Collision Investigation

• NTSB Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that a series of errors led to a midair collision near Washington, DC, resulting in 67 fatalities.
• Details reported by CNN.

Recent Incidents & Crashes

• LATAM Boeing 777 Incident: A LATAM Boeing 777 aborted takeoff at 178 knots in Sao Paulo due to an engine #1 high temperature. No injuries reported.
• Fatal Crash of Pilot Couple: An award-winning pilot and his wife died in a crash following an emergency landing; their dog survived.
• Camarillo, CA Small Plane Crash: Two individuals were severely injured after a small plane crashed into a canal in Ventura County.
• Colorado Plane Crash: Four fatalities reported, including a millionaire CEO and his family.

Other Notes

• The FAA has faced criticism for blocking anti-drone measures due to concerns over aircraft safety.
• No major airline disruptions have been reported during this period. For real-time updates, follow aviation accounts such as @AirNavRadar or @FAA.