A Wizz Air charter flight bound for Athens narrowly avoided a serious incident during take-off from Luton Airport in April 2025, according to a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 162 passengers and six crew members, became airborne just two seconds before reaching the end of the runway, flying 13 feet above the surface when it should have been at least 35 feet to meet safety standards.

The AAIB investigation found that the aircraft took off from an intersection on the runway rather than its full length, following an air traffic control instruction to shorten the departure path. Pilots did not properly adjust the flight management computer settings for the reduced runway distance, resulting in insufficient thrust for the take-off. The report highlighted that the pilots failed to verify the critical take-off speeds, known as V-speeds, which were incorrectly entered into the aircraft’s systems.

Flight data analysis showed the plane was traveling at 146 knots (168 mph) immediately after becoming airborne, with only 162 meters of runway remaining. The report warned that if the aircraft had experienced engine thrust loss during take-off, it might not have been able to stop safely on the remaining runway or achieve necessary height clearance during departure.

The flight was operated by Ascend Airways, a company that supplied aircraft and crew on a charter basis and has since ceased operations as of April 2026. Wizz Air stated the service was conducted under a charter arrangement connected to its UK operation and reaffirmed that safety is its highest priority.

CCTV footage from Luton Airport captured the aircraft barely clearing obstacles such as parked planes and buildings, underscoring how close the flight came to a potential accident. The AAIB attributed the incident primarily to pilot error in data entry and failure to adjust for the altered runway length, compounded by the decision to accept a shortened take-off run offered by air traffic control.

While the investigation points to pilot error as a key factor, the incident also raises questions about procedures when directing aircraft to use partial runways and the importance of thorough verification of flight parameters before take-off. Authorities continue to review safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.