Plane Was Below ‘Final Reserve Fuel’ After Aborting 3 Landings and Declaring Emergency. Now It’s Under Investigation

An investigation is currently underway by the United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Board (AAIB) following a dramatic incident involving a Ryanair flight that landed in Manchester with alarmingly low fuel levels. The flight, which originated from Pisa, Italy, faced multiple diversion attempts before touching down on 3rd October 2025, leaving passengers with a harrowing tale to tell.

The flight was scheduled to depart from Galileo Galilei International Airport at 4:15 p.m. CEST. However, in a turn of events, it attempted to land twice at Glasgow Prestwick Airport and later at Edinburgh, only to ultimately reach Manchester. During this critical period, the crew declared an emergency. Reports indicate that the aircraft was affected by strong winds and heavy rain arising from Storm Amy, which was previously known as Hurricane Humberto.

Upon landing, it was revealed that the plane had just 220 kg of fuel remaining, equating to approximately six minutes of flying time. Public flight records from FlightAware confirmed that the aircraft had been “Squawking 7700,” a code typically used to indicate a fuel emergency, prompting serious concern among those onboard.

Passengers described their experiences in vivid detail, with many expressing feelings of distress and disbelief. One anonymous flyer recounted how the atmosphere on the plane became increasingly tense during the series of failed landing attempts. “The three failed landings were like something you’d watch in a disaster movie,” the passenger shared. “People were praying and my son was crying. At one point, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Is this it?’”

Alexander Marchi, another passenger who was aboard the flight, conveyed relief upon finally landing in Manchester. “We realised how bad things had been after seeing the images after finally landing,” he stated. Despite the frightening experience, he noted that “there was no panic,” and that the airline staff maintained their professionalism throughout the ordeal. “A few people had felt ill from the turbulence, but overall everyone was just in shock,” Marchi added.

The AAIB is now focused on investigating the sequence of events leading up to the flight’s emergency landing, aiming to determine the factors that contributed to such a precarious situation. This incident has raised concerns about safety protocols, particularly in adverse weather conditions, which reportedly played a significant role in the complications faced by the aircraft.

Ryanair has yet to offer a response to inquiries regarding the situation. The incident has sparked conversations about airline safety, emergency procedures, and the responsibilities of flight crews during extreme weather events. With the investigation ongoing, many passengers are left contemplating their experiences and the implications for future air travel.

While the specific details of the flight’s operational decisions are still being scrutinised, the harrowing accounts from passengers reflect the gravity of the situation and the potential risks associated with flying amidst severe weather. Authorities will be eager to learn from this incident to enhance protocols and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As investigations continue, it remains to be seen what measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of passengers in unpredictable conditions. The outcomes will not only inform Ryanair’s operational practices but could also impact wider industry standards as air travel evolves in the face of increasing climate challenges.