An EasyJet Pilot Stands Down After Near-Miss Incident
An EasyJet pilot has been temporarily grounded following a concerning incident in which he flew a plane filled with 190 passengers perilously close to a mountain range, triggering a warning alarm. Captain Paul Elsworth is currently under investigation by the budget airline for the incident that occurred during a flight from Manchester to Egypt’s picturesque Red Sea resort of Hurghada.
On February 2, the Airbus A320 flew over the mountain range at a dangerously low altitude of just 3,100 feet, setting off warning alarms. Typically, aircraft are expected to clear such ranges by at least 6,000 feet, but this flight came alarmingly close, within just 771 feet of the peak. Experts have reassured anxious travelers that such events are exceedingly rare, as reported by The i Paper.
What Transpired During the Flight?
During the flight, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) in the cockpit was activated, sounding an urgent alert indicating an impending crash. The alarm blared: “Pull up, terrain, terrain, pull up, pull up, terrain ahead, pull up.” This prompted the pilots to make a desperate maneuver, pulling the joystick to avert disaster. Reports from The Sun indicated that the aircraft was descending at an alarming rate of 4,928 feet per minute, which is considered “ridiculously unsafe.” Fortunately, the GPWS is designed to alert flight crews when a controlled flight is at risk of colliding with the terrain. It is believed that the passengers onboard remained unaware of the alarm and the imminent danger they faced.
Flight EZY2251 landed safely, and Elsworth documented the incident the following day. Although he was initially scheduled to fly the plane back to Manchester, EasyJet officials escalated the matter, and he was replaced in the cockpit, returning as a passenger instead. As of now, no individual has been assigned blame for this alarming occurrence.
What Led the Plane to Fly So Close to the Mountains?
Dr. Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation at Cranfield University, explained that aircraft are assigned specific waypoints to follow during their flight paths. These waypoints are meticulously designed to optimize fuel efficiency, manage air traffic, and prevent collisions with obstacles. “It seems that he was at an incorrect altitude while navigating over some of the solar flight points,” Dr. Gratton explained to The i Paper. “The reason for this miscalculation is unclear, as pilots typically operate on autopilot.”
Air traffic controllers often instruct pilots to make adjustments, especially concerning altitude, but Dr. Gratton noted that this incident was particularly concerning as it fell below what is termed the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA). He remarked, “There are several factors at play, and while ultimately the captain bears responsibility, it is overly simplistic to single him out without considering the complex system involving multiple personnel and processes.”
EasyJet, along with aviation authorities, will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident and identify who may be at fault. The inquiry will include testimonies from Elsworth and the First Officer, who will review the event after debriefing in the cockpit.
Dr. Sheldon Jacobson, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois, emphasized that “human error is often at the root of such incidents,” but highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive investigation before assigning blame. “We must consider various factors, including potential weather changes and drafts that could have influenced the aircraft’s trajectory,” he noted.
How Should Passengers Feel About This Incident?
Jacobson, an expert in aviation security, reassured the flying public by stating that such incidents “occur very infrequently.” He added, “What many people don’t realize is that modern airplanes are equipped with advanced technology designed to alert pilots when they are too close to the ground, such as a mountain top. This system functioned as intended, providing the necessary warnings.”
He further explained that the technology is in place to safeguard both the aircraft and its passengers by alerting pilots to correct any “pilot error.” Dr. Gratton supported this view, saying, “We should take comfort in knowing that multiple automatic systems exist to ensure that, in the event of human error or procedural breakdown, there are additional checks in place to prevent an aircraft from colliding with a mountain.” He concluded, “While it is frustrating that initial safety measures failed, it’s reassuring that there are layers of defense that successfully protected everyone on board.”
Response from Authorities
A spokesperson for the Government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which investigates civil aviation accidents and serious incidents, stated, “We are aware of an incident involving an aircraft on route from Manchester, UK to Hurghada, Egypt on February 2. We are currently conducting inquiries and collaborating with our counterparts in Egypt.”
Following the incident, the pilot has been suspended from his duties while the investigation proceeds. A spokesperson for EasyJet emphasized, “Safety is our utmost priority. Our pilots are trained to the highest industry standards, subjected to rigorous testing, and closely monitored.” They added, “The flight landed safely, and as the investigation is ongoing, the pilot remains stood down from duty as per our procedures.”
