Critical Near Miss at Nice Airport
On the night of September 21, a serious safety incident occurred at Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport involving two Airbus A320s. A Nouvelair flight arriving from Tunis almost collided with an easyJet service preparing to depart for Nantes, leading to last-minute evasive actions to avoid a catastrophe. The situation resulted in flight disruptions, although both aircraft managed to steer clear of a direct collision.
Details of the Incident
- Date: September 21
- Location: Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport
- Aircraft Involved: Two Airbus A320s
- Airlines: Nouvelair and easyJet
This incident is considered one of the most severe runway incursions in recent French aviation history and is under investigation by French aviation authorities. The inquiry will determine contributing factors such as pilot error, air traffic control issues, or external elements like weather. Initial assessments suggest weather might have played a role, though precise details are still under scrutiny.
Nouvelair Airbus A320 Incident
The Nouvelair Airbus A320-200, registered as TS-INP, was operating flight BJ-586 from Tunis to Nice. The aircraft left Tunis at 21:14 local time, proceeding without issue toward Nice. As it approached, it mistakenly aligned with runway 04R, while it was intended to land on runway 04L. Simultaneously, an easyJet Airbus A320-200, registered as OE-IJZ, was aligned for takeoff on runway 04R for flight U2-4706 to Nantes. The Nouvelair aircraft descended to just 50 feet above the runway before executing a go-around maneuver.
This action brought the Nouvelair plane dangerously close—within three meters—to the easyJet aircraft. Following a reach-out from Simple Flying, easyJet stressed the priority of safety for its passengers and crew, confirming participation in the ongoing investigation.
BEA Investigation and Potential Weather Influence
Post-incident, the Nouvelair A320 climbed and successfully landed after repositioning to runway 04L. Meanwhile, the easyJet plane, shaken by the incident, did not complete its departure, resulting in the cancellation of flight U2-4706.
The investigation is spearheaded by the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA). Factors under review include communication and control directives and any pilot misjudgments. Initial issues highlighted severe weather conditions at the time, including heavy rain and thunderstorms, reducing visibility and complicating safe operations.
Broader Safety Concerns
Incidents like the one at Nice are becoming increasingly concerning globally. Similar near misses, such as a recent event at Basel Airport involving two easyJet A320s, underscore prevailing safety challenges. Following Basel’s incident, both aircraft were able to continue their routes safely after responding to air traffic control instructions.
The rise in such episodes, particularly at high-traffic airports, reflects a growing challenge. A 2023 New York Times investigation identified an increase in Category A runway incursions by 25% over the past decade, drawing attention to escalating risks.
