Report finds Aer Lingus flight with 146 on board experienced serious Dublin Airport approach incident

Investigators categorised the event as an 'aircraft upset'.

The newly published report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) found the Airbus A320 aborted its approach to Dublin Airport on January 14, 2025, after banking sharply beyond normal limits during its initial landing attempt.

Investigators categorised the event as an 'aircraft upset', a term used when an aircraft unintentionally moves outside expected flight parameters.

The A320 made a steep 44-degree turn, followed by two low-speed events and a deviation from its assigned altitude.

A regular turn on an Airbus A320 is a bank angle of under 33 degrees.

Additionally, at two points the Airbus fell below its “VLS” speed, the minimum recommended speed intended to prevent the aircraft from entering a stall.

The report further found that the aircraft’s autoflight low-speed protection safety feature was activated and that the aircraft climbed to 4,200 feet when it had been cleared to fly at 3,500 feet.

The AAIU's investigation into the incident began after a voluntary occurrence report was submitted to the Irish Aviation Authority last March.

According to the captain, the missed approach was due to difficulty in reducing the aircraft's speed in time.

The aircraft had been travelling from Faro, Portugal when the incident occurred.

Following the incident, Aer Lingus banned orbit manoeuvres during approaches except for training and advised pilots to use a go-around if there was any doubt over a safe landing.

The AAIU said the aircraft’s deviations, including the steep bank and low-speed events, were unintentional and corrected by the pilots.

The aircraft landed safely on its second approach, with no further recommendations issued due to the airline’s safety actions.