What happened
On the night of September 21, 2025, an Airbus A320 operated by Nouvelair, registration TS-INP, was performing a visual approach to runway 04L at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. The flight was arriving from Tunis-Carthage. Due to weather radar observations of heavy precipitation, the crew had transitioned from an RNP Z approach to an RNP A approach.
Simultaneously, an Airbus A3 and 20 operated by easyJet Europe, registration OE-IJZ, was taxiing for departure. The crew had been cleared to cross runway 04L and subsequently instructed to line up and hold on runway 04R.
As the Nouvelair aircraft descended through approximately 500 feet, it performed a right-hand turn to align with the landing runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft's flight path took it directly over the easyJet aircraft, which was positioned on the threshold of runway 04R. The A-SMGCS system triggered both amber and red runway incursion alerts in the control tower. The crew of the Nouvelair aircraft performed a missed approach after the aircraft's radio altitude dropped significantly as it passed over the stationary plane. There were no fatalities or injuries and no damage to either aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the sequence of events involving the combined Tower and Approach controller, the flight crew actions, and the airport's lighting configurations. Investigators examined the flight data and cockpit voice recordings from both aircraft, as well as radar data and air traffic control communications.
The investigation also reviewed the specific lighting settings for runways 04L and 04R at the time of the incident, noting that the 04R lighting was significantly brighter than the 04L lighting. Furthermore, the investigation is looking into the impact of the RNP A approach procedures and the reliability of the A-SMGCS surveillance system.