A Ryanair flight from Pisa to Prestwick was forced to make an emergency landing in Manchester after multiple failed attempts to land during Storm Amy. The Boeing 737 had just six minutes of fuel left — only 220 kilograms — sparking a major investigation.
Turbulent Flight Through Storm Amy
A Ryanair flight (FR3418) from Pisa, Italy, to Prestwick, Scotland, faced severe weather challenges during Storm Amy on October 3, 2025. High winds reaching nearly 100 mph prevented the aircraft from landing after three failed attempts — two at Prestwick and one at Edinburgh.
Pilots Declare Emergency as Fuel Runs Low
After repeated go-arounds, the pilots declared a Mayday emergency and diverted to Manchester Airport, where conditions were calmer.
When the Boeing 737-800 finally landed, it reportedly had just 220 kilograms of fuel remaining — enough for only five to six minutes of flight time, according to a flight log reviewed by aviation experts.
Investigation Underway
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed it has launched a formal investigation into the “serious incident.” Ryanair stated that the company had reported the event to authorities immediately and is cooperating fully with the inquiry.
“The AAIB has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving an aircraft which was diverted from Prestwick to Manchester Airport,” a spokesperson said.
Passenger Experience During the Ordeal
One passenger, Alexander Marchi, described the flight as tense but controlled. He said passengers felt “buffeted around a lot and jumping” during the descent attempts. After several failed landings, the pilot announced a diversion to Edinburgh and later to Manchester, where the plane finally touched down safely.
Passengers eventually reached their original destination in Scotland 10 hours later than planned.
Expert Reactions
A commercial pilot reviewing the data commented:
“Landing with less than two tonnes of fuel already raises concern — but 220 kilograms is dangerously close to empty. This was as close to a fatal accident as possible.”
Key Details of the Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | FR3418 |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 737-800 |
| Route | Pisa (Italy) → Prestwick (Scotland) |
| Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Diversion Airport | Manchester, UK |
| Remaining Fuel | ~220 kg (≈6 minutes flying time) |
| Cause | Severe winds during Storm Amy |
| Status | Under AAIB investigatio |
Investigators will analyze flight recordings, weather data, and pilot decision-making to determine whether standard fuel reserve protocols were sufficient or if additional precautions should have been taken under such extreme conditions.