Nearly 200 unwitting air passengers on board an easyJet flight to Egypt in early February came within collision-warning distance of a mountain range, according to reports in The Sun. The Airbus A320 was being operated as Flight EZY2251 and carrying 190 people on its way from Manchester to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada when the incident occurred on 2 February 2025.
“Pull up terrain terrain”
The aircraft was making its final descent towards Hurghada, a resort once promoted as “the Red Sea Riviera, where the sun shines all year around”, when one of its safety features was triggered. Its descent rate was 4,928ft (just over 1500 metres) per minute when the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) kicked in, sounding a “Pull up, terrain, terrain, pull up, pull up, terrain ahead, pull up” alarm.
The pilots responded to the alert by pulling the plane up and levelling it out. Apparently, no passengers were aware that there had been a potential safety issue, and the plane went on to land without incident.
By @JacdecNews "2025-02-02: EasyJet Airbus A320N descended over rising terrain on approach to t Hurghada-Intl AP(HEGN), Egypt triggering an EGPWS warning. Flight #EZY2251 from Manchester with 190 on board regained height and continued for a safe landing". pic.twitter.com/EtiMVwdN4t
— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) March 11, 2025
Pilot suspended
Although he avoided crashing into the side of the mountain, the pilot, Captain Paul Elsworth, made authorities aware of the GPWS alert the next day prior to the return flight. It is not known why he did not declare the incident immediately. As a result of reporting himself, he was flown back to the UK as a passenger and has been stood down from duty pending an investigation, unnamed sources said.
The results of an initial review show that the plane was overflying the Shayib el Banat range which contains Egypt’s highest mountain, at just 3100ft (945m) instead of the usual 6,000ft (1828m) and it only missed the peak by around 230 metres.
@theairliners EasyJet flight was 'seconds from disaster when plane almost hit mountain'. . An #easyJet pilot has been suspended after a jet carrying up to 190 people flew too close to a #mountain as it descended into #Egypt. Captain Paul Elsworth was operating an easyJet flight travelling from #Manchester airport to the popular Red Sea resort town of #Hurghada, Egypt . . The alert rang out 'pull up, #terrain, terrain, pull up, pull up, terrain ahead, pull up', and only a last second manoeuvre by the pilot to pull up the joystick levelled he Airbus A320 and avoided the mountain range. . Pilots normally clear the mountain range at an altitude of 6,000ft. But Mr Elsworth allegedly flew over the 2,329ft peak at 3,100ft. . On top of this, a sources told The Sun, the jet was descending at a blistering speed of 4,928ft per minute. The aircraft should have been travelling slower and with a shallower rate of descent, experts said. . Follow 👉@theairlinerss to Stay Updated and Discover the Most Interesting Aviation Posts from Around the Globe. .🌍 _________________________ • #Airbus #Boeing #Pilot #Aircraft| #Aviator #Travel #Airplanes #Aviation #theairlinerss ♬ Breaking News Background – Kyrylo Zaplotynskyi
Highest industry standards
The investigation into the matter will include evidence provided by both Captain Elsworth and his First Officer. The suspended captain reportedly told the British tabloid he could not comment on an active inquiry.
EasyJet meanwhile did provide a statement to The Independent that defended the credentials of its stable of pilots and pointed out that due process is being followed. “Safety is the number one priority for all our pilots,” the airline said, adding, “They are trained to the highest industry standards, subject to rigorous testing and monitored closely. The flight landed normally and as we have an ongoing investigation, the pilot remains stood down from duty in line with procedures.”
