Hop-A-Jet Calls for Stronger FAA Action After NTSB Final Report Links Fatal Challenger 604 Accident to Undetected Engine Corrosion

Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter has called for stronger FAA action on engine corrosion in the wake of the NTSB's final report tying a fatal Challenger 604 accident to undetected corrosion. The FAA issued NPRM for GE CF34 engines, Docket No. FAA-2026-3875, with comments due by June 15, 2026. Hop-A-Jet submitted comments urging closure of inspection gaps and advocating corrosion safeguards that are robust. The fatal crash occurred on Feb. 9, 2024, near Naples, Florida, when corrosion affected both engines’ variable geometry components, causing dual-engine loss of thrust and an off-airport landing. The cabin attendant and two passengers survived, while the pilots were killed.

Hop-A-Jet’s Barry Ellis emphasized that the directive should require borescope inspection of the high-pressure compressor case for corrosion and that visual inspections be mandatory and auditable. Tim Rounds, Maintenance Director, added that inspection programs must close gaps that could let safety-critical corrosion go undetected. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive corrosion-detection measures.