Name: Red Lake Nation Returns Detained Stinson Airplane to Darrin Smedsmo
Uploaded: 2026-08-10T14:34:18.000Z
Description: Airplane was detained after he made an emergency landing on tribal land.

After a catastrophic failure of the engine in his 1948 Stinson, Darrin Smedsmo landed safely on a road. Unfortunately, he was on Red Lake Nation sovereign territory, and the tribe elected to confiscate his airplane because of a resolution banning unpermitted flights below 20,000 feet. So began a seven-month battle to get his airplane back. <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2026-07-24/darrin-smedsmos-freed-stinson-display-oshkosh">Click here to read more about this story.</a>

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Red Lake Nation Returns Detained Stinson Airplane to Darrin Smedsmo

Airplane was detained after he made an emergency landing on tribal land.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Robert Sancetta

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

FAA has simplified aeromedical process for pilots with sleep apnea

AINsight: Update on Sleep Apnea for Pilots

Charles Alcock

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Bombardier, Dassault, and Textron have committed to the show in Brussels

More Exhibitors and Groups Book for EBAA Week Show

Hanneke Weitering

NASA chief talks with a four-flight shuttle veteran and NBAA board member

Pilot-Astronauts Isaacman and Precourt Headline NBAA Lunch

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

DOT OIG estimates as much as one-third of purchase card transactions did not have proper controls

Watchdog Warns of Lack of FAA Purchase Card Oversight

Peter Shaw-Smith

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Lastest data from WingX shows further decline in traffic in region 

Iran War Continues To Weigh on Gulf Bizjet Traffic

Probe maker wins $116.9 million verdict against eVTOL developer

Jury Sides with Aerosonic in Joby Trade Secrets Case

Gordon Gilbert

Light to midsize jets typically aren’t equipped with FDRs

Charter Operators Grapple with Mexico’s FDR Requirements

Matt Thurber

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

EAA AirVenture 2026

More In Regulations and Government