easyJet Airbus A320 Diverts To Split After Crew Member Is Incapacitated

A commercially scheduled daily flight service took an unusual turn on June 8th when an easyJet flight supposed to perform a standard four-hour flight ended up diverting and landing safely at a different destination less than three hours later. The diversion came after the flight crew declared a Mayday reporting that someone onboard became incapacitated.

Initially outbound for Dalaman

The easyJet flight in question was U2 2143, a daily scheduled non-stop flight service between Manchester Airport in the UK and Dalaman Airport in Turkey. On June 8th, operating the flight was one of the budget carrier’s many Airbus A320-200s registered G-EZRX. The narrowbody took off from Manchester at approximately 13:47 with no incident.

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This usual route typically takes about four hours, meaning the aircraft would have landed at Dalaman Airport around 19:20 as scheduled. Unfortunately, G-EZRX was not afforded that luxury that fateful Thursday as en route at approximately 35,000 feet; the flight crew declared a Mayday reporting an incapacitated crew member. A request was also made to divert to Split Airport in Croatia, from which the aircraft was about 60 nautical miles northeast of.

According to a listener on the frequency, the declaration and request came just after easyJet flight U2 2143 received the frequency for the next sector – which was not acknowledged due to the declaration. Then approximately 20 minutes after the Mayday was declared, easyJet flight U2 2143 safely diverted and landed on runway 05 at Split Airport and was met by medical services on arrival.

The aircraft would remain on the ground at Split Airport for just over six hours. And when contacted by Simple Flying, easyJet confirmed that flight U2 2143 was indeed diverted as the Captain required medical assistance. The low-cost carrier highlighted:

“The First Officer performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures, and the aircraft was met by emergency medical services upon arrival in Split.”

Concerning the stranded passengers and remaining crew, the airline confirmed having arranged a replacement crew to Split Airport to operate G-EZRX and continue the journey to Dalaman Airport later that evening. The delayed flight took off from Split at approximately 23:40 and landed at Dalaman around 02:29.

For the entire ordeal regarding the diversion and delay, easyJet extends its apologies to those affected as it continued:

“We apologize for any inconvenience experienced due to the diversion and resulting delay. The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.”

Photo: AlfonsoS | Shutterstock

A speedy recovery to the Captain

At this time of writing, it remains uncertain what specifically happened to the Captain of flight U2 2143 and the current condition since having received medical attention upon arrival at Split Airport. Nonetheless, we would like to wish the Captain a speedy recovery and a job well done to the First Officer who managed to land the aircraft safely, given the sudden circumstances.

Source: Aviation Herald