Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority Clears Beirut Wings Aircraft, Confirms Airworthiness

Beirut Wings announced in a statement that the General Directorate of Civil Aviation has completed the technical investigation regarding the technical indicators observed on a Tecnam P2006T training aircraft belonging to the Beirut Wings Flight Training Academy on September 5, 2026. The investigation confirmed that the results proved the aircraft's airworthiness, that the fuel was clean and compliant with specifications, and that no technical fault or maintenance negligence was recorded.

The crew had noticed an irregularity in engine performance shortly after takeoff from Beirut Airport and decided to return as a precautionary measure, landing safely and normally. Investigation results suggested this situation may have been linked to a known phenomenon in piston-engine aircraft called Vapor Lock, which can occur in hot weather conditions and is not limited to any specific operator or company.

Ali Mahna, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Beirut Wings, affirmed that "the company's reputation and credibility are based on facts and realities, not rumors or inaccurate information," noting that "what has been circulated regarding engine failure or maintenance negligence does not align with the official investigation results."

Mahna emphasized "the necessity of relying on reports and decisions issued by official bodies and competent regulatory authorities, foremost among them the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, as a primary reference for verifying facts, away from information circulating on social media."

For clarification, in light of what was circulated regarding the aircraft and what the official investigation results confirmed, the company reviewed the key points:

- Key circulated information in light of official investigation results: What was raised about the aircraft and the official investigation findings.

- Aircraft engine failure and damage. The investigation proved that neither engine failed, and the aircraft returned to Beirut Airport and landed normally without recording any damage. The company had reported the incident to the General Directorate of Civil Aviation on the same day.

- Doubts about the aircraft's airworthiness. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation confirmed the aircraft's airworthiness; its certificate of airworthiness was renewed on April 22, 2026, without any remarks, and remains valid until April 21, 2027.

- Maintenance negligence or lack of specialized assistance. The investigation concluded there was no technical fault or maintenance negligence. Aircraft maintenance is handled by Airmotive Aviation in Cyprus, an entity approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and its work was inspected by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation and accepted according to established procedures.

On his part, the Company's General Manager and Responsible Director, retired Pilot Officer Joe Bitar, affirmed that safety is not just a slogan but relies on adherence to professional and regulatory procedures and standards. He clarified that the crew's decision to return to the airport was a responsible precautionary measure, and that the company reported the incident to the General Directorate of Civil Aviation on the same day and requested the necessary investigation.

Bitar explained that the company's training fleet underwent a comprehensive assessment at the beginning of 2026 conducted by an independent, approved European Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO). The General Directorate of Civil Aviation confirmed in writing the airworthiness of each aircraft and its compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

He affirmed that the General Directorate of Civil Aviation allowed, on February 26, 2026, the resumption of all the company's aerial, ground, and training activities, following the implementation of all recommendations issued by it.

He stressed that "technical records, maintenance logs, operational procedures, and the safety reporting system constitute fundamental pillars of the company's work," affirming "continued commitment to the recommendations of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, particularly in areas of fuel management, training, technical compliance, and incident reporting."

In concluding his statement, Mahna noted that "the company understands the concerns of students and their families, and their safety remains the absolute priority in all its activities," pointing out that "circulating inaccurate information can cause anxiety among families and harm the confidence in the Lebanese aviation sector and its image as a destination for training students and pilots from regional countries."

He affirmed "the company's respect for media freedom, the role of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, and the rule of law, while retaining its right to take necessary legal action against anyone who deliberately publishes false or defamatory information."

It should be noted that Beirut Wings was founded in 2006 and is accredited by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation under Approved Training Organization Certificate No. 003. The company has graduated more than 500 licensed pilots and logged over 100,000 hours of training flight time. Since August 2026, the company offers a training pathway compliant with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, in cooperation with CA Crew Academy in Cyprus.

The company concluded the statement: "Facts deserve to be heard, and safety comes first."