Brickyard Flight Diverts After Low Visibility and Cockpit Smoke Report

Poor visibility was already disrupting the operation

A Republic Airways flight operating under the BRICKYARD callsign encountered very low runway visual range conditions during an operation in January 2026. The flight was initially considering a diversion to Jacksonville before a cockpit smoke report changed the immediate priorities. The crew then coordinated a diversion toward Charleston while air traffic control assisted with the emergency routing.

Weather and smoke created different problems at once

The flight was operating in very low RVR conditions, meaning the normal airport options were already constrained. A cockpit smoke report then introduced a separate safety problem. The crew's diversion decision therefore had to account for both weather suitability and the need to land an aircraft reporting smoke.

The diversion changed as the emergency developed

The available account describes Jacksonville as an initial diversion consideration and Charleston as the later choice after the smoke report. That sequence is important because it shows the destination decision changing as the emergency picture changed.

The public investigation record is limited

No authoritative final investigation report establishing the source of the smoke or a technical cause was identified in the publicly available records. The event should therefore not be described as an engine fire, electrical fire or other specific failure without further evidence.

The operator's radio callsign is: “BRICKYARD”

Accident Facts

Sources

• FAA aeronautical publication listing Republic Airways' callsign: https://airdroper.org/uploads/documents/1776084690234-7340.2P_Chg_2_dtd_3_19_26-d40809316f5878e3.pdf
• Republic Airways fleet/callsign reference: https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Republic-Airlines