NEED TO KNOW
- An easyJet Airbus A320 nearly collided with another aircraft at Nice Airport.
- The incident occurred on Sept. 21 as the flight was preparing to depart for Nantes.
- Passengers reported feeling vibrations as the second plane passed overhead.
- Authorities have launched a serious investigation into the event.
The Incident
On Sunday, Sept. 21 at 11:30 p.m. local time, easyJet flight U24706 was lining up for takeoff from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Runway 04R), bound for Nantes Atlantique Airport in western France.
While the easyJet Airbus A320-214 waited at the runway threshold for clearance, a Nouvelair Airbus A320-214 (Flight BJ586) from Tunis-Carthage International Airport approached to land.
Instead of touching down on the assigned Runway 04L, the Nouvelair jet reportedly lined up on 04R — directly above the stationary easyJet aircraft.
Passenger Reactions
The near miss left passengers shaken.
“We were lined up on the runway, ready to take off. Suddenly, we heard a huge noise in the cabin and felt strong vibrations,” passenger Sacha told local outlet Nice-Matin.
“The Nouvelair plane passed over us, about three meters away according to the pilots.”
Following the incident, the easyJet captain taxied back to the gate and canceled the flight.
Airline Responses
EasyJet confirmed its pilots stood down from duty in line with safety procedures and said:
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority. We are fully cooperating with the safety investigation to understand what happened.”
Nouvelair, in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), attributed the incident to poor weather conditions, citing heavy rain and reduced visibility:
“With over 36 years of experience in air transport, Nouvelair reaffirms that the safety and security of its passengers and crew remain its top priority.”
Investigation Underway
France’s Bureau of Investigation and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has classified the event as a “serious incident.”
A team of four investigators collected:
- Testimonies from crew and witnesses
- Meteorological data
- Flight recorders from both aircraft
Initial radio recordings suggest the Nouvelair flight may have mistakenly landed on the wrong runway. FlightRadar24 data confirms that all other arrivals were directed to Runway 04L that evening.
What’s Next
Both airlines are cooperating with French aviation authorities. The investigation will focus on:
- Possible miscommunication with air traffic control
- Weather conditions on approach
- Whether the Nouvelair crew deviated from assigned instructions
While both planes ultimately landed safely, the close call underscores how quickly conditions can escalate in aviation — and why strict investigation and accountability are critical.
✈️ Bottom line: A routine departure turned into a terrifying brush with disaster when two aircraft came dangerously close in Nice. Authorities now face the urgent task of determining how this near miss was allowed to happen.
