Near-miss at Nice: Nouvelair jet comes within 10 feet of EasyJet plane, investigators say

Nice, France — A near-miss at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on Sunday night involved a Nouvelair aircraft descending toward an EasyJet plane that was already on the tarmac, awaiting takeoff on a parallel runway. Witnesses and flight crew described the moment as extraordinarily close, with the two jets reportedly about 3 metres, or 10 feet, apart as the Tunisian airliner executed a go-around to miss the other aircraft. French air safety investigators opened a formal probe, and the French transport minister ordered an immediate investigation. Both aircraft were grounded while data from cockpit voice and flight data recorders were reviewed.

The incident occurred amid a stormy approach, when the Nouvelair plane reportedly lined up to land on the wrong runway while the EasyJet flight to Nantes sat on the runway awaiting clearance. The Nouvelair crew then applied full power to avoid collision, circling for another landing attempt. The BEA described the event as a serious incident, while emphasizing that investigators will not draw premature conclusions as they review recordings and procedures. The investigation also focuses on why two parallel runways were configured for simultaneous use that night and whether air traffic control procedures were followed.

A British passenger traveling on the Nouvelair flight recounted the moment as terrifying but said he and fellow travelers did not realize the danger at the time. James Johnson, 33, who lives in New York and was on holiday in Tunis before flying to Nice, said the approach into the city felt tense due to the storm. He told the Daily Mail that the wind turned the plane and that there were moments when passengers feared they would not make it. He described the sense of fear as not chaotic, but deeply unsettling, with some passengers in tears as the aircraft descended and then accelerated away. Johnson learned of the near miss only after reading a regional newspaper two days later, and he said many passengers were unaware of what had happened until then. He also noted that announcements during the flight were in French, and that he did not understand them, though flight attendants appeared calm.

The EasyJet crew on flight 4706 to Nantes were shaken by the incident and reportedly chose to stop the service rather than continue the flight after reaching the gate. Érard, a 29-year-old passenger, told Le Figaro that the captain was in a "visible state of shock" as he left the flight deck and that the captain attributed the near miss to the other aircraft, stating that a crash had been avoided by about three metres. He recalled hearing a loud engine noise alongside the aircraft and said the moment left passengers stunned, with one noting that the plane was preparing for takeoff when the near-miss occurred.

In response to the events, the BEA said both planes were grounded as investigators reviewed the flight recordings. An official confirmed to French media that the Nouvelair aircraft had approached the wrong runway, a finding consistent with initial airport and airline statements. The BEA cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation concludes. EasyJet said the safety and wellbeing of its customers and crew remains its highest priority, and it is cooperating fully with the safety investigation to determine what happened. Nouvelair was contacted for comment.

The incident prompted French authorities, including Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot, to order an immediate investigation by the air accident investigation branch. Airport management publicly blamed the Nouvelair pilots for the near miss, while investigators review cockpit and control tower communications to determine how air traffic control procedures and runway assignments were managed on that night.

As the investigation unfolds, travelers and airlines involved have emphasized safety procedures and the importance of thorough reviews of runway assignments and air traffic control workflows. While some passengers contended with shock and lingering unease, others highlighted the professionalism of crew members who carried out a go-around under dangerous conditions. The events at Nice serve as a reminder of the complex choreography required to manage landings and takeoffs on dual-parallel runways, particularly in adverse weather. The BEA noted that the inquiry would examine all contributing factors, including weather, crew actions, and ATC guidance, before any conclusions are released.