What happened
On June 2, 2014, an EasyJet Airbus A320, registration G-EZTD, was operating a scheduled international flight from London Gatwick to Tenerife South. During the approach to Tenerife South, the crew performed two missed approaches due to wind shear conditions. Following these unsuccessful attempts, the flight was diverted to Tenerife North.
Upon arrival at Tenerife North, the crew initiated an ILS approach for runway 30. During this first attempt at the diversion airport, a sudden change in wind conditions caused the aircraft to become unstable and remain too high on the final approach path. At 19:17 UTC, the crew executed a second missed approach and immediately declared a MAYDAY due to low fuel levels. The aircraft subsequently performed a second approach and landed safely at 19:29 UTC. The final fuel remaining on board was 780 kg, which was 295 kg below the calculated final reserve fuel requirement.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight sequence, including the two initial missed approaches at Tenerife South and the subsequent diversion. The investigation reviewed cockpit voice and flight data (QAR) to reconstruct the approach profiles. The investigators also examined the air traffic control (ATC) communications and the operational procedures regarding fuel planning and stabilized approach criteria.
Key elements examined included the crew's management of the diversion, the impact of wind changes on the aircraft's flight path, and the communication between the flight crew and the Tenerife North approach controller. The investigation also looked into the airline's fuel policy and the meteorological conditions present at both airports during the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was adverse meteorological conditions that exceeded the operator's established limits, causing the aircraft to remain too high during the final approach segment at Tenerife North.
- The crew's decision to execute a missed approach at Tenerife North, while necessary for safety, resulted in the fuel level dropping below the required final reserve.
- The aircraft had been dispatched with a fuel load that met legal requirements but did not include extra contingency fuel, despite weather forecasts indicating wind shear at the primary destination.
- During the first approach at Tenerife North, the crew did not receive specific altitude instructions from ATC, requiring them to rely on published chart altitudes.
- A communication gap occurred when the crew reported minimum fuel levels to Tenerife North Approach, as the controller was occupied with another radio call.
- The aircraft's speed increased significantly during the approach phases, exceeding the airline's stabilized approach criteria (Vapp + 10 knots).