Honestly, the headlines can be a bit of a jump scare sometimes. If you were scrolling through your feed and saw news about a plane crash in US today, you probably felt that immediate knot in your stomach. Aviation safety is one of those things we take for granted until something goes sideways.
Today, January 18, 2026, the big story isn’t a catastrophic disaster, but a high-stakes emergency at Orlando International Airport (MCO). United Airlines Flight 2323, arriving from Chicago, turned a routine landing into a full-blown ground stop.
The aircraft had an unspecified "issue" upon touchdown. It didn't tumble off the runway or burst into flames, but it was serious enough that the airport basically hit the pause button on operations. Buses had to go out to the tarmac to get everyone off the plane.
Imagine sitting in 14B, feeling that thud, and then seeing the blue lights of emergency vehicles instead of the gate. No injuries were reported, which is the only detail that really matters. But it's part of a weirdly busy week for the FAA and NTSB.
Recent Incidents and the Ground Stop in Orlando
While MCO is moving again, the ripple effects of Flight 2323 are still being felt by travelers. These "incidents"—the industry word for things that aren't quite crashes but aren't normal—actually happen more than we'd like to admit.
Just two days ago, a Piper PA-28 had a landing gear failure at Sacramento McClellan Airport.
A day before that? A Bell 206 helicopter went down in a field in Oregon.
The FAA is currently juggling investigations into a Cessna 750 in Telluride and a Cirrus SR22 in West Virginia.
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It feels like a lot.
Usually, we don't hear about the small stuff. But when a major hub like Orlando shuts down, even for an hour, people start asking if there’s a bigger problem with the fleet or the air traffic control system.
The NTSB’s Urgent Warning for Business Jets
Beyond the Orlando news, something much more technical and potentially dangerous is happening behind the scenes. The NTSB recently issued "urgent safety recommendations" that every private flyer should know about.
It turns out there have been a string of fatal accidents involving Hawker business jets—specifically the 800XP and 900XP models. These aren't just random "plane crash in US today" events; they are happening during specific maintenance test flights.
The NTSB found that these wings are incredibly sensitive. If a mechanic installs a tiny part just a few hundredths of an inch off, the plane can enter an uncommanded 360-degree roll or a flat spin.
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Five people have died in these specific tests recently. The board is now practically begging the FAA to mandate better training for pilots who do these post-maintenance "stall tests." It’s a niche problem, but if you’re a corporate traveler, it’s a terrifying one.
Why Does Air Travel Feel So Shaky Lately?
You aren't imagining things. Between the United incident in Orlando and the FAA's massive 60-day warning issued on January 16, 2026, the "friendly skies" feel a bit tense.
The FAA is currently warning pilots to exercise "heightened caution" over large swaths of the Pacific and Latin America. Why? Because of increased military activity and something called GPS spoofing. Basically, military ops are messing with the satellite signals planes use to navigate.
It's a reminder that aviation isn't just about the plane itself. It's a massive, invisible web of signals, rules, and humans trying to stay out of each other's way.
Breaking Down the MCO Incident
- Flight Number: United Airlines 2323
- Origin: Chicago (ORD)
- Location: Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Casualties: Zero (Thankfully)
- Aftermath: Ground stop and bus evacuation of passengers
If you're looking for a plane crash in US today that fits the Hollywood version of a disaster, you won't find it in the Orlando news. And that's a good thing. The system worked. The pilot handled the "issue," the airport shut down to ensure safety, and everyone went home.
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But the NTSB’s ongoing look into the UPS Flight 2976 disaster in Louisville (which killed 14 people and is still being dissected in board meetings this month) reminds us that we can't be complacent. That crash involved a fatigue crack in an engine pylon—a tiny metal failure that led to an engine literally falling off during takeoff.
Safety Steps Every Passenger Should Take
Look, flying is still safer than driving to the grocery store. But since you're clearly concerned about aviation safety, there are a few things you can actually do rather than just worrying about the news.
First, check the tail number of your flight if you’re flying on a smaller regional or private carrier. Websites like FlightAware let you see the history of the specific physical plane you’re boarding.
Second, pay attention to the FAA’s NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) if you’re flying internationally. Right now, if your route takes you near Latin America or the Caribbean, delays are likely because pilots are navigating around "military activities."
Third, don't ignore the safety briefing. It sounds cliché, but in the United incident at Orlando today, passengers had to be evacuated by bus on an active taxiway. Knowing where your exits are and keeping your shoes on during takeoff and landing (the most dangerous phases) makes a massive difference if things go south.
The aviation world is currently under a microscope. Whether it's the NTSB investigating stall behaviors in business jets or the FAA managing geopolitical GPS interference, the goal is always to prevent the next headline.
If you are traveling through Orlando or have a flight booked this week, keep a close eye on your airline's app for real-time updates. Most "ground stops" for mechanical issues are cleared within hours, but the backlog of flights can take a full day to normalize. Check your flight status before you head to the airport to avoid getting stuck in the terminal.