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Thursday, Apr 09, 2026
Outside the box.
EasyJet Flight Narrowly Avoids Crash in Mountainous Terrain
Incident involving 190 passengers prompts investigation and pilot suspension.
On February 2, 2025, an EasyJet flight from Manchester to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada came perilously close to disaster when it flew less than 800 feet above a mountain range in Egypt, carrying 190 passengers and crew.
Captain Paul Elsworth has been suspended following this alarming incident, which triggered cockpit alarms warning of an impending crash with the terrain.
The aircraft descended to an altitude of approximately 3,100 feet while the peak of the mountain stood at 2,329 feet, well below the standard safety requirement for clearing such terrain, which is generally recommended at around 6,000 feet.
The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) activated, issuing urgent messages that included "pull up, terrain, terrain, pull up" to alert the crew about the hazardous proximity to the mountains.
In a last-minute maneuver, the pilot successfully leveled off the aircraft, averting what could have been a catastrophic accident.
Initial reports suggest that the passengers aboard were largely unaware of the gravity of the situation during the flight.
Subsequent to the incident, EasyJet issued a statement emphasizing that safety is the primary concern for all their pilots, who undergo rigorous training and evaluation.
The airline confirmed that another crew took over to return the aircraft safely.
An official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flight has been initiated by relevant authorities.
Sources indicate that Captain Elsworth, who has been flying for over three decades, will face extensive questioning regarding the event.
He had gained attention in the aviation community for his son, Luke Elsworth, who became one of Britain's youngest licensed pilots at the age of 19.
The airline remains committed to transparency as the investigation continues, highlighting that the captain is currently stood down from duty in accordance with company procedures.
Captain Paul Elsworth has been suspended following this alarming incident, which triggered cockpit alarms warning of an impending crash with the terrain.
The aircraft descended to an altitude of approximately 3,100 feet while the peak of the mountain stood at 2,329 feet, well below the standard safety requirement for clearing such terrain, which is generally recommended at around 6,000 feet.
The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) activated, issuing urgent messages that included "pull up, terrain, terrain, pull up" to alert the crew about the hazardous proximity to the mountains.
In a last-minute maneuver, the pilot successfully leveled off the aircraft, averting what could have been a catastrophic accident.
Initial reports suggest that the passengers aboard were largely unaware of the gravity of the situation during the flight.
Subsequent to the incident, EasyJet issued a statement emphasizing that safety is the primary concern for all their pilots, who undergo rigorous training and evaluation.
The airline confirmed that another crew took over to return the aircraft safely.
An official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flight has been initiated by relevant authorities.
Sources indicate that Captain Elsworth, who has been flying for over three decades, will face extensive questioning regarding the event.
He had gained attention in the aviation community for his son, Luke Elsworth, who became one of Britain's youngest licensed pilots at the age of 19.
The airline remains committed to transparency as the investigation continues, highlighting that the captain is currently stood down from duty in accordance with company procedures.
