An EasyJet flight carrying 190 passengers experienced a harrowing incident on February 2, 2025, when it dangerously approached a mountain during its descent toward Hurghada, Egypt. The Airbus A320, on route from Manchester, UK, flew at an alarmingly low altitude of just 945 meters, well below the recommended minimum of 1,820 meters for mountainous regions.
According to reports, the aircraft came within as few as 234 meters of the mountain’s peak. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) triggered multiple alerts, warning the pilot with the phrase, "Terrain, terrain, remontez!" signaling the urgency of the situation. The aircraft was reportedly descending at 1,500 meters per minute, prompting the pilot to execute rapid corrective maneuvers to avoid what could have been a catastrophic incident.
Despite the alarm and ensuing panic, the aircraft landed safely, and most passengers remained unaware of the danger they had narrowly escaped. The captain, 61-year-old Paul Elsworth, brought the aircraft back under control just before it would have faced potential collision with the terrain.
Post-incident, the pilot reported the close call the following day, February 3, and was immediately suspended by EasyJet pending investigation. The airline issued a statement emphasizing flight safety, with spokespersons remarking, "The safety is the top priority for all our pilots; they are trained to the highest standards and monitored closely." This response reflects the seriousness with which EasyJet takes such events, especially following public and regulatory scrutiny.
Investigations have been initiated by the British Air Accidents Investigation Authority (AAIB) and Egyptian authorities to determine the circumstances leading to this dangerously low flight path. Aviation experts have suggested the incident could have stemmed from either excessive descent rates, poor navigation, or inadequate assessment of the flight conditions.
The activated alert system served as the last line of defense against ground collision, highlighting its importance. Experts expressed concerns about the rapid descent rate coupled with the low altitude, labelling the pilot's handling of the approach as "ridiculously dangerous." Such instances raise questions about the protocols and training processes airlines implement to avert newsworthy flight incidents.
Additional complications arose during the investigation, as the cockpit voice recorder's (CVR) data was overwritten during the flight back to Manchester, limiting the analysis capabilities for authorities as they seek to reconstruct the chain of events leading to the near-miss.
While the easyJet Airbus A320 successfully avoided disaster, this incident serves as a stern reminder within the aviation community of the continuous need for stringent adherence to safety protocols. The case's outcome could have broader implications for airline operational guidelines and pilot training regimens, especially as they pertain to flights over mountainous areas.
Passengers and crew, who were largely oblivious to the potential peril, faced no immediate repercussions from their ordeal apart from some evocations of concern during subsequent discussions among aviation enthusiasts and travelers alike. Reports following the incident have drawn attention and criticism, as passengers find reassurance only once they understand the full scope of events.
Elaborate training methods and continuous monitoring are part of the modern safety culture advocated within the airline industry, transcending beyond merely bureaucratic checklists to create real accountability and responsiveness among flight crews.
This incident has sparked discussions across various platforms, urging potential reforms and re-evaluations of training protocols for pilots to minimize future risks to passengers. It reiterated to the public the importance of transparency and rigorous safety measures, ensuring all stakeholders—from airlines to regulatory bodies—remain focused on upholding the safety of air travel.
With investigations underway and safety being reevaluated at EasyJet, the aviation community watches closely to see how this incident influences regulatory expectations as airlines grapple with increasing passenger traffic and the demands for maintaining standards.