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What’s new: A report that GPS-enabled terrain warning saved the lives of 190 airline passengers on the 2nd of February.
Why it’s important: This incident shows how important these safety systems are, and the criticality of them working properly.
What else to know:
- In 2019 GPS interference almost caused an airliner to crash into a mountain. Luckily a radar controller warned the pilots in time to avoid a disaster.
- There are a number of systems that can backup and complement GPS in aviation and ensure terrain warning is always available. None have yet been implemented.
EasyJet flight was ‘seconds from disaster when plane almost hit mountain’ with 190 passengers on board
An easyJet pilot has been suspended after he flew a plane packed with 190 people so dangerously close to a mountain that he nearly crashed into it.
Captain Paul Elsworth was temporarily banned from flying after his plane flew too close over a mountain range as it travelled to Egypt on February 2, triggering a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alarm in the cockpit.
The plane, travelling from Manchester to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, was very close to crashing as it descended for landing and could have potentially killed the 190 passengers and crew on-board, reported The Sun.
