Phil Mickelson warns of problems at Lion Air – Are we safe?

Phil Mickelson warns of problems at Lion Air – Are we safe?

There is currently worrying aviation news in Chiang Mai. Phil Mickelson, the well-known golf professional and avid pilot, spoke out about a serious maintenance problem with a Lion Air aircraft. On October 22, 2025, after aviation site Turbine Traveler shared a video on Platform This discovery is anything but minor, as confirmed by Mickelson, who commented "As a pilot (not active) I can confirm that this is NOT GOOD!" said. This will once again stimulate the safety discourse in aviation, especially in the current times when more and more questions about aircraft safety are arising.

The situation is particularly explosive given the Boeing 737 MAX crisis, which was triggered by two catastrophic crashes in 2018 and 2019. These tragic incidents, including the crash of Lion Air Flight 610, resulted in the loss of 346 lives, leading Boeing to a profound crisis of confidence. The problems that arose at that time were compounded by poor communication and inadequate pilot training. A crucial element was the incorrect response of the automated flight control system (MCAS), which activated incorrectly and had fatal consequences because the crews were not sufficiently informed about the problem. These shocking events led to the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX series for over 20 months.

Growing security concerns

The aviation industry is also affected by another incident in which an ACT Airlines Boeing 747 Freighter crashed in Hong Kong by veering off the runway on October 20, 2025. This incident has further fueled the discussion about safety standards. Mickelson, who has always been close to aviation due to his family background - his father was a Navy pilot - was surprised at the negligence in terms of safety and said that the importance of an aircraft's engine and wing should not be underestimated.

Recent events shine a bright light on the ongoing challenges Boeing faces. Not only safety standards, but also internal problems such as inefficiencies in quality management are under discussion. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently ordered inspections of over 2,600 Boeing 737 aircraft to check for potential problems, such as with oxygen masks. Boeing also had to plead guilty to defrauding the U.S. government and was fined $243.6 million, which comes with strict requirements to implement compliance and ethics programs.

The social discussion

In this context, Mickelson's involvement is significant beyond the maintenance issue. The 950,000-follower social media user also spoke clearly on economic issues, particularly the tariffs demanded by Donald Trump. He cited these as measures that could benefit both American businesses and jobs. Mickelson is known for addressing issues that are important to both sports and society.

Given the current and past problems in aviation, it is essential that both regulatory actions and internal processes at manufacturers such as Boeing are carefully monitored and improved. Safety must always come first to regain passengers' trust.

Overall, the situation remains tense and requires both a rethink and solutions that do not repeat the damage of the past. It will be exciting to see how this discussion develops further.