Air France plane barely avoids crashing into active volcano

Among the most harrowing moments in flight this month is a near miss with a volcano by Air France flight 953 over Cameroon on May 2, the airline has finally admitted. Attempting to evade a thunderstorm along the usual flight path from Malabo to Douala, the pilots briefly diverted the Boeing 777-200. When they turned it back to towards its destination, the plane found itself on a trajectory to Mount Cameroon, the tallest peak in West Africa and very active volcano.

Alarms suddenly began ringing in the cockpit, as the EGPWS system (enhanced ground proximity warning system) told pilots to “pull up,” which they did, ascending quickly from 9,000 to 13,000 feet to avoid an explosive crash. No injuries were reported among the 37 passengers, nor were they even aware of the close shave.

Although embarrassing, the event does reveal two positive insights — the well-trained pilots "who responded immediately by applying the appropriate procedure" and the impressive state of airplane technology probably saved everyone’s lives.

French air authority, the BEA, is now investigating the incident. In meantime, precautionary measures have been issued for the route and crews given more information on the terrain around Douala. Plus, the pilots of flight 953 have been taken off flying duties for more training.