A Nouvelair Airbus A320 carrying approximately 150 passengers narrowly avoided a collision with an easyJet A320 on a runway at Nice Côte d’Azur airport. The incident, which occurred during stormy weather, has prompted three separate investigations and raised concerns among aviation experts about the airport's complex approach procedures.
Key Takeaways
- A Nouvelair A320 nearly landed on an occupied runway at Nice Airport.
- The incident involved a near miss with an easyJet A320, missing by meters.
- Three investigations are underway by French aviation authorities.
- Pilots criticize the airport's 'Riviera approach' for its complexity.
- The approach is designed to avoid noise over Antibes, potentially at a safety cost.
Close Call During Landing Attempt
On a recent Sunday, a Nouvelair Airbus A320 was attempting to land at Nice Côte d’Azur airport. The crew, led by Captain Kamel, faced challenging conditions. Rain streamed across the windscreen, and visibility was poor due to darkness and strong winds.
Seconds before touchdown, the Tunisian pilots saw another Airbus A320 on the runway directly in front of them. This aircraft was an easyJet flight, also full of passengers. The Nouvelair jet was about to land on the wrong runway.
At a speed of 160 mph and less than 50 feet above the ground, the pilots reacted quickly. They applied full power and pulled the aircraft up. The plane skimmed past the 38-foot-high tail of the easyJet A320, missing it by a very small margin.
Incident Details
- Aircraft Involved: Nouvelair Airbus A320 (Flight BJ586) and easyJet Airbus A320 (Flight 24706).
- Location: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, France.
- Approximate Clearance: Just three meters between the two aircraft.
- Passengers Affected: Approximately 150 on the Nouvelair flight, plus passengers on the easyJet flight.
Impact on Passengers and Crew
The near collision caused significant distress among passengers on both flights. James Johnson, a former Downing Street adviser, was on the Nouvelair plane. He described the scene:
"We had the full Monty — people saying Allahu akbar, people were crying."
On the easyJet plane, passenger William Erard reported a strong impact. "The cabin rattled, overhead bins shook," he stated. He added, "An enormous noise filled the cabin… we very narrowly escaped a crash."
The easyJet flight, 24706 to Nantes, was cancelled. Its pilots were too shaken to continue the flight. The Nouvelair jet climbed, circled, and eventually landed safely on the correct runway, 04 Left.
Investigations Underway
French officials have initiated three investigations into the incident. The Bureau of Inquiry and Analysis (BEA), France's air accident branch, is leading the probe. Investigators have interviewed both flight crews and air traffic controllers.
They are also examining the black box flight recorders and control tower audio. Weather conditions at the time are a key part of the investigation. Officials have urged caution against assigning blame too early.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
Nice Côte d’Azur is France’s third-busiest airport. It features parallel runways that extend into the Mediterranean Sea. Its location near the coast and the wealthy resort town of Antibes influences its air traffic control procedures.
Concerns Over Complex Approach Procedures
The incident has brought criticism from pilots regarding Nice Airport's unique visual approach. This approach, known as the "Riviera approach," is designed to prevent aircraft from flying over Antibes, a wealthy resort area, to reduce noise pollution.
Nicolas Boulay, head of air traffic control for southern France, described the conditions during the incident as "quite complex, with storms moving towards Antibes." Despite these conditions, controllers reportedly instructed the Nouvelair aircraft to follow the curving Riviera approach.
Pilots familiar with Nice Airport believe this complex approach, combined with the stormy weather, created a high-risk situation. They suggest that all elements for a potential problem were present.
The "Riviera Approach" Controversy
- Purpose: Designed to avoid overflying Antibes to minimize noise.
- Nature: A tricky, curving visual approach over water.
- Alternative: Standard Instrument Landing System (ILS) offers precision but involves flying over populated areas.
- Preference: Nice controllers are discouraged from using ILS in good weather, preferring the over-water approach.
According to Philip Jowett, a British pilot experienced in flying into Nice, the Tunisian plane should have used the precision ILS. He stated that the Sunday conditions made it easy to confuse the runways. A long, parallel taxiway further complicated the visual scene.
"These guys were not on ILS because they won’t let you use it unless the weather is really bad, as it involves flying over very high-value houses," Jowett explained. "They made a mistake — but the bigger mistake is the French opting for not using a precision approach to avoid upsetting some high-rollers."
Ben Watts, another British pilot and instructor, echoed these sentiments. He noted that the Riviera approach is often preferred because "Antibes is full of rich people who don’t like aeroplane noise." He highlighted the high workload faced by the Tunisian pilots, hand-flying their aircraft in a storm.
Potential Changes to Procedures
Petter Hörnfeldt, an airline captain and instructor, believes this near miss will likely lead to changes in Nice Airport's approach procedures. "This is going to be one of those investigations that we learn a lot from," he commented.
French officials consider this incident among the most serious recent near misses globally, primarily due to human factors. Juan Browne, an American Airlines pilot and aviation commentator, emphasized the gravity of the situation:
"There are a lot of questions for investigators into what could have been one of the greatest aviation disasters in decades."
The ongoing investigations will provide more clarity on the exact sequence of events and contribute to improving aviation safety protocols at Nice Airport and potentially other facilities with similar operational constraints.
