A Ryanair jet carrying 172 passengers nearly collided with a helicopter over London due to a cockpit error. A miscommunication caused the Boeing 737 to drop 550 feet below its assigned altitude, entering restricted airspace.

The incident occurred on March 8, 2024, as the flight from Szczecin, Poland, approached Stansted Airport. While descending at 3,000 feet, the co-pilot transferred control to the captain. However, he failed to inform the captain that the autopilot and auto-thrust systems were off. This mistake caused the sudden altitude drop, bringing the aircraft dangerously close to a helicopter flying at 2,000 feet.

Investigators revealed that the Ryanair jet came within 300 feet vertically and 1.7 nautical miles horizontally of the helicopter. The co-pilot later admitted that he had never transferred control during manual flight before. He also failed to follow standard procedures, which require clear verbal confirmation during handovers.

The captain quickly regained control and returned the aircraft to its assigned altitude. The flight landed safely at Stansted Airport. In response, Ryanair updated its training manual to ensure pilots clearly communicate during manual transitions.

Meanwhile, a devastating mid-air crash occurred over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025. An American Airlines regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington National Airport. The impact killed all 67 people onboard and scattered debris into the river.

Investigators found that the Black Hawk’s crew had twice confirmed visual contact with the jet before the collision. However, they failed to maintain proper separation. Authorities criticized air traffic control for not enforcing stricter flight paths. In response, officials restricted helicopter flights near Washington National Airport to prevent future disasters.

These incidents highlight critical gaps in aviation safety. Airlines must reinforce training, while regulators must improve airspace management to avoid similar tragedies.

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