Near-Catastrophe at Nice Airport
On Sunday, a potentially disastrous incident occurred at Nice Airport. At 11:30 PM French time, a Nouvel Air Airbus from Tunis was preparing to land on the Nice tarmac, while an EasyJet plane was getting ready to take off for Nantes.
Human Error or Technical Issue?
As the Nouvel Air plane began its descent, it found itself just a few meters away from the EasyJet plane, which was preparing for departure. The Nouvel Air pilot managed to avoid a collision at the last minute by putting the plane back into ascent mode and performing a loop, allowing it to land safely 20 minutes later.
According to a French media expert, the pilot had begun his descent on the wrong runway, the right one, which is reserved for takeoffs, not landings. However, it is standard procedure for pilots to strictly follow the instructions of air traffic controllers in the control tower for takeoff and landing procedures.
Investigation Underway
The question remains as to whether there was a misunderstanding or confusion in the information provided by the control tower, or if there was a problem with visibility due to bad weather. It seems unlikely that an experienced pilot would make such a rookie mistake, getting the runway wrong so easily. The black boxes have been recovered, and two investigations have been opened to determine the exact causes of the incident, which could have turned into a terrible tragedy.
Raised Questions
This incident also raises other questions. Where was the air traffic controller who is supposed to be on the tarmac to guide planes and pilots during arrival and departure procedures to avoid potential collisions? Why didn't the control tower controllers warn the Nouvel Air pilot of the presence of the EasyJet plane as he began his descent?
It's worth noting that a similar incident almost occurred at another European airport over a month ago, where the control tower controller simply fell asleep.
Heroic Pilot
In any case, whether at fault or not, the Nouvel Air pilot's calm, bravery, and professionalism have confirmed the excellent reputation of Tunisian pilots worldwide. The incident highlights the importance of air traffic control and pilot communication to ensure safe takeoffs and landings.
