A routine Ryanair flight from Dublin to Cologne turned into a white-knuckle ride for 175 passengers and crew after a terrifying series of near-misses over Germany. The Boeing 737 came alarmingly close to two other aircraft while attempting to land, in an incident that has sparked a major safety investigation.
A Cascade of Errors in the Cockpit
According to a official report from Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), the drama unfolded as the Ryanair flight, FR7315, was on its final approach to Cologne Bonn Airport. The crew had disengaged the autopilot and was preparing to land when air traffic controllers issued urgent instructions to abort the landing.
The situation rapidly deteriorated when the pilots, facing immense pressure, misinterpreted these instructions. Instead of following a standard 'go-around' procedure, they initiated a dangerous climbing turn that put them on a direct collision course with other air traffic.
"100 Feet of Separation"
The report reveals the most chilling detail: a private jet, identified as a Cessna Citation, passed a mere 100 feet below the Ryanair aircraft. This distance is terrifyingly small in aviation terms, representing a serious breach of minimum separation standards.
Simultaneously, a second aircraft—an Embraer 190 operated by Lufthansa's CityLine—was also in the vicinity, creating a complex and hazardous three-aircraft scenario. The BFU classified the event as a 'serious incident,' the highest category for such events.
Confusion in the Cockpit
Investigators pinpointed the root cause as a critical misunderstanding. The air traffic controller's instruction to "continue climb" was misinterpreted by the Ryanair pilots. The BFU report stated this led to a "deviation from the ATC instruction and a conflict with traffic."
The near-collision was only averted by the swift actions of the air traffic controller, who issued immediate corrective commands to all three aircraft involved.
Ryanair's Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the airline is fully cooperating with the investigation. They emphasised that safety is their utmost priority and stated that the event was logged in accordance with standard procedures.
This incident has cast a renewed spotlight on aviation safety and pilot-controller communication, particularly in busy European airspace. It serves as a stark reminder of the split-second decisions and clear communication required to keep millions of passengers safe every day.
