Plane near-collision at Nice: aircraft were just ‘three metres away’ from disaster

Two passenger planes that nearly collided during a landing at Nice airport in September came within just three metres of each other, according to a preliminary report by France’s civil aviation safety bureau. It cites probable pilot error as the cause.

The report published by the Bureau d'enquêtes et d'analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile (BEA) on October 24 provides a detailed account of the events that led to the near miss, however multiple inquiries remain open ahead of the final report.

Near miss at Nice airport

The incident took place late on September 21, when a Nouvelair aircraft arriving from Tunisia descended towards runway 04R rather than runway 04L, which air traffic control had repeatedly assigned. 

An EasyJet aircraft preparing for departure to Nantes was already positioned on 04R at the time.

The BEA report states that the control tower instructed the Nouvelair crew to land on 04L at 23:21 and received confirmation of that instruction. 

However, at 23:31:36, the aircraft aligned with 04R instead, triggering the first on-screen warning in the tower. Sixteen seconds later, a second, higher-priority alarm was activated as the EasyJet aircraft began to move down the same runway.

At 23:32, controllers again asked the Nouvelair crew to confirm that they were landing on the left-hand runway. The crew repeated that they were on final approach for 04L, although they remained lined up on 04R. 

In total, the tower issued five separate verbal confirmations for 04L, with the Nouvelair crew acknowledging each one, claims the 23-page report.

The aircraft climbed away only when the captain was ordered not to land but to immediately accelerate to regain height and circle the landing strip. The plane narrowly passed above the EasyJet aircraft. The BEA confirms that the landing gear did not touch the runway. 

The pilot of the EasyJet plane was visibly shaken by the incident and did not take off, delaying the flight until Monday (September 22) afternoon.

Investigators classify the incident as “serious”. A pilot not involved in the incident told regional media Nice-Matin at the time that if the two planes had crashed they would have erupted into flames and all 358 people onboard both would have died.

Why pilot confusion may have occurred

The BEA emphasises that its preliminary findings do not assign final responsibility. However, it highlights several factors that may have contributed to the misalignment.

Weather conditions were difficult, with visibility reduced late in the evening due to thick fog. 

The airport’s runway layout is also noted: the two parallel runways are close together, and their orientation relative to approach lines can require careful visual identification.

The report also raises the question of runway lighting. The BEA highlights that there was a noticeable difference in light intensity between the two runways, with 04R appearing brighter. 

This is consistent with concerns already raised by pilots and air traffic controllers, although the airport operator maintains that its lighting system is compliant.

Investigations continue

The public prosecutor in Nice has opened a separate inquiry for “endangering life”, led by the gendarmerie’s air transport unit. 

The civil aviation navigation authority is also conducting its own internal review.

The BEA will now complete full analysis of flight recorder data, radar records, crew statements and atmospheric conditions. 

A final report, including conclusions and any safety recommendations, is expected to follow in the coming months.