Stark FAA extreme emergency warning after Elon Musk rocket explodes

 A SpaceX test flight that exploded less than 10 minutes after launch in January apparently posed a serious threat to several passenger jets flying over the Caribbean, according to a Federal Aviation Administration investigation.

The launch occurred just days before CEO Elon Musk began work on Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, and an investigation was launched immediately. FAA documents released since disclose that the Starship's explosion endangered three passenger flights that evening.

The trio of planes, carrying a total of 450 passengers, landed safely after declaring fuel emergencies and traversing a temporary no-fly zone, according to the WSJ. Risks included debris from the explosion scattering across the Caribbean sky. It comes after Donald Trump fired a 6-word shot at Musk hours after reconciling at the White House.

Moreover, the FAA alleges that SpaceX did not promptly dial the official hotline required for any failure to alert air traffic controllers. In Miami, controllers learned of the debris from the explosion only when pilots navigating through it informed them.

The FAA initiated an investigation into improved handling of potential debris from explosions in February and became more resolute after another SpaceX test vehicle exploded in March. The at-risk aircraft included a JetBlue flight headed for San Juan.

The JetBlue captain faced a split-second choice: navigate through rocket wreckage, or chance fuel depletion over open water. When air traffic control informed one pilot they'd need to declare an emergency to touch down in San Juan, the reply was immediate: "In that case we declare emergency: Mayday. Mayday. Mayday."

Wreckage, with ties to the spacecraft, was filmed streaking across the Caribbean mere minutes following the test flight. Following the rocket blast, Musk tweeted on X "Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed."

The next-generation vessel lifted off from Texas in January and soared successfully for approximately eight minutes, featuring the team's second spectacular booster recovery, before communication ceased. Authorities verified that the craft was obliterated.

"Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today's flight test to better understand root cause," SpaceX announced on X. Last September, federal authorities stated that SpaceX must meet several requirements before launching its massive rocket again following its inaugural flight's explosive conclusion.

After the FAA concluded its probe into SpaceX's botched Starship debut, the organization mandated that SpaceX implement 63 remedial measures and secure a revised FAA permit before attempting another launch. An FAA official has revealed that a series of issues led to the explosion during SpaceX's April launch, which resulted in concrete and metal debris being scattered for thousands of feet and a cloud of pulverized concrete spreading for miles around.

In response to the incident, SpaceX founder Elon Musk stated that enhancements have been made to the 394-foot rocket and the launch pad has been fortified. A new Starship now sits on the revamped pad, ready for takeoff, and like its predecessor, it will fly uncrewed.

The initial test flight ended in disaster when the rocket was destroyed after losing control shortly after launch from Boca Chica Beach, with the wreckage ending up in the Gulf of Mexico. According to SpaceX, fuel leaks during ascent sparked fires at the tail of the rocket, severed the connection to the main flight computer, and caused loss of control.

NASA plans to use the Starship for lunar landings in the coming years. However, Musk's ultimate ambition is to construct a fleet of Starships to transport people and supplies to Mars.