On July 30, 2023, an easyJet Airbus A320-200 was involved in a serious incident at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) in France. The flight, easyJet Flight EZY8414, initiated its take-off from the wrong intersection. As a result, the aircraft had less runway distance to take off from.
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The French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), is investigating the incident. The BEA opened the investigation on August 10, 2023, and has also notified the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). Although the Airbus A320 took off from the runway and reached its destination, the BEA has still classified the mistake as a “serious incident”.
easyJet confirmed in a statement that it wishes to “fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation” and that the “safety and well-being of our passengers and crew are our absolute priority”. The airline added that it takes the incident “very seriously”. The primary objective of the inquiry is to improve aviation safety. The BEA emphasizes that it has no determined intentions of pointing fingers for fault-finding. It is unclear what consequences the pilots may face.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in aviation. Pilots must follow all safety protocols and procedures while operating an aircraft. Thankfully, in this case, authorities were able to respond quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.