EasyJet Pilot Suspended After Flying Dangerously Close to Mountains
An easyJet pilot has been suspended after an Airbus A320 carrying up to 190 passengers descended dangerously close to a mountain while approaching Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Hurghada.
The incident occurred on February 2, during a flight from Manchester Airport to Hurghada. Captain Paul Elsworth was at the controls when the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), a crucial safety feature designed to prevent terrain collisions, was triggered in the cockpit.
Flight Came Within 770 Feet of Mountain Peak
The GPWS alert prompted an immediate pull-up and leveling of the aircraft. According to reports, the jet came within just 770 feet of a mountain peak, flying at 3,100 feet over the range—far lower than the usual 6,000-foot altitude for that approach.
Sources told The Sun that the aircraft was descending at 4,928 feet per minute before the warning sounded, indicating a rapid descent toward the mountainous terrain.
Pilot Reports Incident, Investigation Launched
Captain Elsworth reportedly self-reported the incident the following day before he was due to fly another easyJet service back from Hurghada. Following standard protocol, easyJet removed him from duty, preventing him from piloting the return flight to Manchester. Instead, he was flown back as a passenger while another crew took over the flight.
A formal investigation is now underway, with Captain Elsworth and the First Officer providing detailed accounts of the incident to aid in understanding what went wrong.
Passengers Unaware of the Close Call
Despite the serious nature of the event, passengers remained unaware that the aircraft had flown dangerously close to the mountain.
A source told The Sun: “The GPWS only sounds when a plane is heading into terrain—in this instance, a mountain. Passengers on board were oblivious to the scare and unaware of just how close they came to the mountain range.”
EasyJet Responds to Incident
Upon returning to the UK, Captain Elsworth was officially suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
In a statement to The Independent, easyJet emphasized its commitment to safety:
“Safety is the number one priority for all our pilots. They are trained to the highest industry standards, subject to rigorous testing, and monitored closely. The flight landed normally, and as we have an ongoing investigation, the pilot remains stood down from duty in line with procedures.”
As the investigation continues, authorities will determine whether pilot error, operational miscommunication, or other factors contributed to the close call.
Related news: https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/?s=easyjet, https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/category/air-travel-business/safety/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com