Aer Lingus Flight Plunges into Steep Bank During Aborted Landing
Pilot's fatigue and rush to land led to dangerous 44-degree bank and speed drop on Faro-Dublin route.
Carla Rooney
An Aer Lingus flight from Faro to Dublin experienced a severe 44-degree bank during an aborted landing on January 14, 2025.
The aircraft's speed twice plummeted below the minimum recommended speed (VLS), activating automatic low-speed protection systems to avert a stall. Its bank angle reached 44 degrees, significantly surpassing the normal safety limit of 33 degrees.
The crew attempted to rush the landing, arriving too high and too fast, despite air traffic controllers noting 'extra track miles.' The commander disconnected the autopilot to use speed brakes; this decision degraded situational awareness and briefly erased flight directors from cockpit screens.
Did not sleep well the night before the flight and that he may have been tired.
The flight commander informed investigators he 'did not sleep well the night before the flight and that he may have been tired.' After the commander applied takeoff thrust, the aircraft climbed to 4,200 feet, allowing for a recovery.
The pilots successfully landed the aircraft after a second approach. Aer Lingus has since banned pilots from performing orbit maneuvers during approaches, restricting them solely to training exercises.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) concluded its report without issuing additional safety recommendations.
Related Keywords
Ireland