An EasyJet pilot feared his plane would be shot down by the military after he lost contact with air traffic control
The EasyJet Airbus A319 suffered a potentially catastrophic electrical fault causing the instruments screens to go blank during a flight from Stansted to Alicante.
The pilots did not divert to a closer landing spot as they feared they would be shot down by the French Military, an official report concluded.
The report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said the incident, which happened in September 2006, saw the pilots flying hundreds of miles to Bristol without the aid of the autopilot.
“The commander was very concerned about the loss of communication and was anxious to avoid being intercepted by military aircraft,” the report said.
“The risk of interception and possible offensive action was also a significant consideration in his decision to continue to Bristol.”
The aircraft was over Nantes when the electrical fault took place.
The pilots attempted to contact air traffic control but failed, fearing they would not be able to follow a plane sent to intercept them.
“The two pilots were properly qualified and experienced in their respective roles to operate the flight,” the report said.
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