Ryanair Crew's Fuel Leak Procedure Questioned After Close Call

A Ryanair flight carrying 191 people came perilously close to a fire last year because the pilots did not follow a key safety procedure, according to a newly released investigation report. The incident, first reported by The Manchester Evening News, occurred on a Boeing 737 Max flight from Venice to Manchester in April 2025.

During the journey, the crew detected a fuel imbalance, signaling a leak in the right engine. They diverted to London Stansted. However, investigators found the pilots chose to keep the faulty engine running, contravening standard emergency protocols for such a situation.

The official report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch stated that this decision, followed by the use of reverse thrust upon landing, "increased the potential fire risk due to fuel vapours being dispersed around hot engine parts." Essentially, the actions created a scenario where a single spark could have ignited the leaking fuel.

A fire crew was waiting on the runway as the aircraft touched down. The landing was completed without injury, and no fire broke out. The report highlights the serious risk that was avoided through what appears to have been sheer luck, raising questions about adherence to checklists designed to prevent such dangers.