✈️ A flight that narrowly avoided disaster! Imagine yourself high in the sky, relaxed, when suddenly your plane brushes against a mountain… That’s exactly what happened on an EasyJet flight from Manchester to Hurghada. A pilot has been suspended after an alarming incident that could have turned catastrophic. Dive into the details of an event that shakes the aviation world!
An EasyJet flight comes within inches of disaster
On February 2, an EasyJet Airbus A320, carrying 190 passengers, takes off from Manchester bound for Hurghada, Egypt. Nothing unusual until the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) activates mid-flight.
🎯 The problem?
The plane descends dangerously low, reaching only 945 meters, while regulations require a minimum altitude of 1,830 meters in mountainous areas. Worse still, it is only 235 meters from a rocky summit. A real scare in the cockpit!
The critical moment: “Pull up, terrain!”
Flight data reveals a plummeting descent of 1,500 meters per minute. Facing the GPWS alarm blaring “Pull up, terrain!”, the captain immediately levels the aircraft, narrowly avoiding a fatal outcome.
✅ What the passengers don’t know?
None of them realize they have just escaped a potential crash. They continue their flight unaware of the gravity of the situation.
EasyJet suspends the pilot and opens an investigation
🔎 Why an immediate suspension?
After landing, the captain (61 years old) only reports the incident the next day. Upon learning of the news, EasyJet decides to suspend him pending the results of the investigation.
📢 The airline expresses:
“Safety is our top priority. Our pilots are trained to the highest standards. This incident is currently under thorough investigation.”
➡️ What are the consequences for the pilot?
EasyJet could dismiss him if the investigation concludes that there was serious human error.
Why could such an incident happen?
💡 Possible hypotheses:
- A calculation error in altitude during approach
- A poor management of onboard instruments
- A communication problem with air traffic control
Aviation experts believe that failing to maintain altitudes in mountainous areas is a critical fault that can be very costly in terms of safety.
The training of pilots in question
This incident raises a crucial question: Are EasyJet pilots sufficiently trained for flying over mountainous areas?
💬 An aerospace expert testifies:
“A good pilot must anticipate terrain variations. A plane should never descend below safety thresholds, except in absolute emergency.”
👨✈️ Are EasyJet pilots too confident?
It’s possible that the automation of flight systems has reduced their alertness in challenging conditions.
Will aviation safety standards evolve?
The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has opened an investigation in collaboration with Egyptian authorities.
🚀 What may change:
✔️ Enhanced pilot training for flying over terrain
✔️ Increased real-time monitoring of flight data
✔️ Stricter protocols in case of GPWS alerts
Testimonials: what passengers say
👥 “I boarded this plane without knowing we had almost died!”
A passenger on the flight testifies:
“I learned about the incident in the media. It’s terrifying to think we were inches from a crash and we didn’t know at the time.”
📢 The public demands more transparency:
- Should passengers be informed in case of a near-disaster?
- Will EasyJet compensate travelers for post-flight stress?
Aviation safety: how to avoid such situations?
🛡 Here are some tips if you travel frequently by plane:
✔️ Research the airlines and their safety record
✔️ Always listen to announcements and safety instructions on board
✔️ If an incident occurs, stay calm and trust emergency procedures
🔎 Did you know?
The GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) is fitted to all modern aircraft and has already saved thousands of lives by preventing collisions with terrain.
Is commercial aviation still as safe?
💡 The facts speak for themselves:
✅ Less than 0.00001% of flights experience a serious incident
✅ The plane remains the safest means of transport
✅ EasyJet is among the most rigorous airlines in Europe
📢 But this incident reminds us that zero risk does not exist.
Can EasyJet regain passengers’ trust?
🛫 Despite this incident, EasyJet remains a major low-cost airline in Europe.
🎯 Its priority: reassure its customers and prove that it takes safety seriously.
🗣 And you, what do you think of this incident?
💬 Leave your opinion in the comments and share this article!
Julie Lambert – Travel & News Blogger
Passionate about discoveries and current events, I share my adventures around the world along with insights on key societal issues. From travel stories to news analysis, join me in exploring and understanding the world!
