EasyJet is looking into an incident where a pilot allegedly flew too close to a mountain, activating a warning alarm.
The airline has temporarily grounded the pilot while it investigates the event, which occurred on February 2. The incident took place as an Airbus A320, departing from Manchester, England, was descending toward Hurghada, a well-known Red Sea resort in Egypt.
According to reports, the flight came within 771 feet of the mountain’s peak while flying at an altitude of 2,329 feet.
Flight EZY2251, carrying up to 190 passengers and crew, triggered a siren alert in the cockpit when the Ground Proximity Warning System was activated. The pilot responded by leveling the plane, and it landed safely.
A spokesperson for the UK government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which looks into civil aviation accidents and serious incidents, confirmed the event. They said, “We are aware of an incident involving an aircraft en route from Manchester, UK, to Hurghada, Egypt, on February 2nd. We are making inquiries and working with our counterparts in Egypt.”
EasyJet stated that the pilot has been grounded while the investigation is underway.
The airline emphasized that safety is the top priority for all its pilots, who are trained to the highest industry standards, undergo rigorous testing, and are closely monitored. They also confirmed that the flight landed safely, and as part of the ongoing investigation, the pilot has been temporarily removed from duty in accordance with company procedures.