An EasyJet flight flying with 190 passengers averted a catastrophic incident after it dangerously came close to a mountain while on its way to the Egyptian holiday destination of Hurghada. The pilot, Captain Paul Elsworth, has been suspended following the harrowing incident that activated the aircraft’s Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), alerting to an imminent collision.
The flight’s cockpit alarms blared with urgent commands: ‘pull up, terrain, terrain, pull up, pull up, terrain ahead, pull up’, as the plane approached the mountain, which was a mere 771ft away, reports The Sun. After a near-miss situation, the airline’s company officials were quickly notified about the event. As a result, they decided to prohibit the 61-year-old captain, Elsworth, from piloting the aircraft back to the UK.
A source disclosed: “Within moments of the flight drama being raised, officials stepped in and Paul Elsworth was forbidden from piloting the plane. Another flight crew brought the jet home.
“The pilot will be asked detailed questions. The GPWS only sounds when a plane is heading into terrain – in this instance a mountain.”
In a statement to The Sun, EasyJet emphasised their commitment to safety, stating: “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 airline reassured that “The flight landed normally and as we have an ongoing investigation, the pilot remains stood down from duty in line with procedures.”
Passengers on board were reportedly unaware of the alarm and oblivious to how close the aircraft was to the mountainous terrain during its descent into Egypt.
Capt Elsworth was later sent home as an ordinary passenger.
