EasyJet flight U22253 was forced to declare an emergency and halt its climb due to a medical incident shortly after taking off from Manchester Airport on Thursday due
A passenger plane was forced to declare an emergency shortly after taking off from Manchester Airport.
EasyJet flight U22253 was forced to halt its climb due to a medical incident on board. It had been headed for Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt when it was forced to turn back on Thursday
Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft abruptly cut short the five-hour trip to the holiday destination almost as soon as it left the ground. It stopped its ascent at 3,700 feet, failing to reach its planned cruising altitude.
The plane, an Airbus A320neo, is capable of carrying between 150 and 180 passengers depending on the airline configuration.
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The flight crew transmitted the Squawk 7700 code via the aircraft’s transponder. This broadcast alerts all surrounding air traffic control units to a general mid-air emergency.
The pilots then ran through a series of emergency checklists to make sure the aircraft was properly set up for a swift return before the plane headed back to Manchester Airport. The aircraft made an unscheduled precautionary landing back at Manchester Airport once the necessary procedures were finalised.
Local emergency crews and airport fire services were on standby to meet the twin-engine jet upon arrival, as is standard practice during an unscheduled landing of this type.
The airline later confirmed the flight was diverted due to a medical emergency on board, Air Live reports.
This comes after another easyJet flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger left a phone charging on a powerbank in their luggage.
The easyJet plane was travelling from Hurghada in Egypt to Luton, but made an emergency landing in Rome at 11.30pm on Tuesday. The 180 passengers onboard were shocked when the captain announced: “There’s something we shouldn’t have in the hold.”
The carrier’s next flight from Rome to Luton was 2pm on Wednesday. Passengers were put up in hotels or slept in the terminal.
