A father has vowed to steer clear of air travel following a terrifying incident on a Ryanair flight that necessitated an unexpected landing after departing from Manchester Airport. Ashton Small was en-route to Morocco with his girlfriend and her friend when the frightening incident unfolded. Ashton, a 41-year-old from Old Swan in Liverpool, was aboard the RK 1266 service bound for Agadir in Morocco, which took off from Manchester around 4 pm, according to the Liverpool Echo report. About an hour into the flight, the pilot announced the need to return to Manchester. Upon landing back at Manchester, they were greeted by fire engines, a harrowing experience that has left Ashton too traumatised to consider flying again in the future.
The ordeal was shared by Ashton, his girlfriend Danielle Clark, and her friend Danielle. He recounted his distress, “I have trauma from being on that flight. We had been in the air for no more than one hour and 30 minutes, the plane just kept turning left then right, left, right, I had started to panic.” The captain subsequently informed passengers that they would need to land back at Manchester Airport, further escalating Ashton’s fear. He added, “You hear about planes crashing, I thought I was having a near-death experience.” Ashton described the landing as nerve-wracking, with fire engines lining the runway, intensifying his anxiety, “I grabbed my seat so tightly – I just wanted to get off. It scared me seeing the fire engines.”
Upon landing, Ashton wasted no time and immediately contacted his parents. He shared, “When we were landing I turned airplane mode off on my phone and rang my mum and dad straight away. I phoned them and said ‘if anything happens I love you both’. I told my partner I just wanted to go home.” Passengers were accommodated on a different Ryanair flight post the traumatic experience. Ashton now contemplates avoiding air travel, expressing, “The pilot or Ryanair didn’t even say sorry to us for the inconvenience. It has put me off going on holiday anymore, it was a terrible experience. I thought I was going to die.”
Reflecting on the impact of the incident, Ashton expressed his resolution against flying due to the ordeal, “I have a little boy who is four and the only holiday I will be going on now is driving trips. I don’t trust planes now, I can’t, not after that.” Despite being a 41-year-old adult, Ashton’s parents echoed his concerns about future air travel. A Ryanair spokesperson addressed the incident stating, “This flight from Manchester to Agadir (Sun, 16 Mar) returned to Manchester shortly after take-off due to a minor technical issue. We sincerely apologise to affected passengers for any inconvenience caused.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the uncertainties of air travel, leaving one individual scarred and apprehensive about future flights. Ashton’s experience reflects the deep impact such incidents can have on passengers, underscoring the importance of safety measures and clear communication in such situations. The emotional toll highlighted in this account portrays the lasting effects of traumatic events during flights. This narrative offers insight into the personal repercussions of in-flight emergencies and the consequent reluctance towards air travel.
In conclusion, Ashton’s decision to refrain from flying serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of such travel experiences and the lasting implications they can have on individuals. The support and understanding shown by his family underline the need for compassion and awareness in the aftermath of such distressing incidents. The aviation industry’s responsibility to address passengers’ concerns and prioritise safety measures is reiterated through Ashton’s harrowing experience, shedding light on the enduring impact of in-flight emergencies.