Newly reviewed Federal Aviation Administration records show that the mid-flight breakup of a SpaceX Starship during a January 2025 test scattered debris across the Caribbean, forcing urgent action by air traffic controllers as commercial aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers transited the area.
The incident occurred January 16 during the seventh uncrewed test of SpaceX’s Starship system. The vehicle launched from Texas and flew for roughly eight minutes, including a successful return and catch of the Super Heavy booster, before telemetry from the upper stage was lost, according to The Daily Mail.
According to FAA documents, burning fragments fell over parts of the Caribbean for nearly 50 minutes. Three aircraft were directly affected: a JetBlue flight bound for San Juan, an Iberia Airlines plane, and a private jet—together carrying about 450 passengers.
Controllers warned the JetBlue crew that continuing toward San Juan would be “at your own risk” because of the debris hazard. When told landing would require an emergency declaration, a pilot replied: “In that case we declare emergency: Mayday. Mayday. Mayday.”
The affected flights declared fuel emergencies, navigated through hastily established temporary restricted airspace, and landed safely. In one instance, controllers intervened to separate two aircraft that had drifted dangerously close amid the disruption.
FAA records state that SpaceX did not promptly use the required emergency hotline to notify authorities. Miami-based controllers instead first learned of the debris field from pilots who reported seeing it while airborne.
Shortly after the incident, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on Twitter: “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed.” Before the launch, Musk had written: “Every Starship launch is one more step closer towards Mars.”
Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨
pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
SpaceX later said: “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,” adding, “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.”
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.
With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s…
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 16, 2025
The FAA described the episode as a “potential extreme safety risk,” citing the danger of debris strikes capable of causing severe aircraft damage. In February, the agency launched a review to strengthen debris-response protocols, accelerating that effort after another Starship failure in March. The review has since concluded, with officials saying many proposed measures were already in place or would require international coordination.
“The FAA will not hesitate to act if additional safety measures are required,” the agency said, the newspaper explained.
The incident highlights the growing overlap between commercial aviation and an expanding launch industry. The FAA expects to oversee 200 to 400 launches annually in coming years, far above historical levels. Starship—more than 400 feet tall and billed as the most powerful rocket ever built—is expected to play a central role in that growth.
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