Aer Lingus pilot fatigue triggers 44-degree tilt over Dublin, aircraft lands safely

An Aer Lingus Airbus A320 operating Flight from Faro, Portugal to Dublin Airport on 14 January 2025 experienced a dangerous 44‑degree bank during an aborted approach. The commander, who admitted he had not slept well the night before, disconnected the autopilot to speed up the landing, leading to degraded situational awareness and a rapid right‑hand orbit that exceeded the normal 33‑degree limit.

The aircraft’s speed fell below the minimum recommended speed (VLS) twice, but automatic low‑speed protection engaged and the crew recovered control. The jet briefly climbed to 4,200 ft, overshooting its cleared altitude, before requesting radar vectors for a second approach and touching down without injury. All 146 passengers disembarked safely.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) classified the event as an “aircraft upset” and, following the incident, Aer Lingus banned pilots from performing orbit manoeuvres during approaches except in emergencies.