Near Miss Aviation Incident: Easyjet A320 and United Boeing 787

Near Miss Aviation Incident: Easyjet A320 and United Boeing 787

On June 11, 2023, a serious aviation incident occurred at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, involving an Easyjet Airbus A320 and a United Airlines Boeing 787. This near miss incident highlights the crucial importance of clear communication and visual checks in preventing accidents and ensuring aviation safety. This blog post will delve into the details of the incident, analyze the contributing factors, and discuss the lessons learned for the aviation industry.

The Incident

The Easyjet A320, operating flight EZY8481 from London Gatwick to Paris Charles de Gaulle, was cleared for takeoff from runway 27R. At the same time, the United Boeing 787, operating flight UA984 from Newark to Paris, was cleared to land on the same runway. The Boeing 787 was approaching the runway at a higher altitude and speed, and the A320 was already accelerating for takeoff.

As the Boeing 787 descended, the pilots noticed the Easyjet aircraft on the runway. The pilots immediately initiated a go-around maneuver, aborting their landing and climbing back into the air. The Easyjet aircraft also aborted its takeoff, stopping just short of the Boeing 787’s path.

Contributing Factors

The investigation into the incident revealed several contributing factors, including:

• Miscommunication and Lost in Translation: The Easyjet pilots reported that they did not receive clear instructions from air traffic control regarding the Boeing 787’s landing clearance. The air traffic controller, who spoke French, used terminology that was not fully understood by the Easyjet pilots, who primarily spoke English. This miscommunication led to a delay in the Easyjet pilots’ awareness of the Boeing 787’s approach.
• Lack of Visual Confirmation: The Easyjet pilots relied solely on the air traffic control’s instructions and did not visually confirm the Boeing 787’s approach before commencing their takeoff. Had they looked out the window, they would have seen the Boeing 787 descending towards the runway and taken appropriate action sooner.

Lessons Learned

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of clear communication and visual checks in aviation safety. The aviation industry has learned valuable lessons from this near miss, including:

• Standardized Communication: The use of clear and standardized terminology, particularly when dealing with pilots from different countries, is crucial for avoiding miscommunication. Air traffic control should ensure that all pilots understand the instructions given, regardless of their native language.
• Visual Confirmation: Pilots must always visually confirm their surroundings before taking any action, especially during takeoff and landing. Relying solely on air traffic control instructions can be dangerous, as human error can occur.
• Enhanced Training: Pilots should receive comprehensive training on communication protocols, visual checks, and situational awareness. This training should emphasize the importance of recognizing and responding to potential hazards.

Conclusion

The near miss incident at Charles de Gaulle Airport highlights the delicate balance of communication, technology, and human factors in aviation safety. By learning from these incidents and implementing preventive measures, the aviation industry can continue to improve its safety record and ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.