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An easyJet co-pilot suffered a panic attack while a plane was approaching a runway in Scotland after a tricky landing the previous day.

A report released today said the crew member had to leave the cockpit of the Airbus A319-111 on the approach to Glasgow.

There were 148 passengers and six crew onboard when it happened.

Despite the incident, the flight landed safely.

His anxiety was triggered by a go-around the day before at just 30 feet and his worries which built up over the course of his duty the following day last September.

(Image: PA)

The experienced 50-year-old commander and his cabin crew worked together to land the plane safely and get medical help for the co-pilot, an Air Accident Investigation Branch report released today revealed.

The report said the day before the incident, the two pilots had flown together from Glasgow to Palma de Mallorca and back.

The report said:"The co-pilot was pilot flying for the Glasgow to Palma de Mallorca sector. During the approach to Palma de Mallorca, at approximately 30ft, a change in the wind displaced the aircraft towards the runway edge.

The commander took control during the flare and executed a go-around."

The next day the same pair flew from Glasgow to Stanstead with the commander as pilot.

But on their return to Glasgow that evening the co-pilot was flying but began to suffer with anxiety and was unable to continue and left the cockpit.

The commander - with nearly 14,000 hours flying experience- took control and issued an alert saying the plane only had one pilot.

An ambulance crew said the co-pilot had suffered an anxiety attack.

The commander said his colleague seemed 'fine' after the go-around but on the return flight to Scotland was 'subdued' and 'seemed annoyed with himself'.

The unnamed co-pilot, with 686 hours flying experience, said the wind change and go-around at Palma was the first time he had experienced that and he found it frightening.

(Image: PA)

He only slept four hours that night but felt well enough to fly.

The AAIB report said:"The co-pilot reported that he felt increasingly nervous during the flights to and from Stansted and was 'over thinking' the need to do a good approach. He felt it was critical to get his confidence back for a task that he knew he was capable of.

"Eventually his emotions and associated physical symptoms overwhelmed him."

Wind change and a go-around is a normal event and manoeuvre practised regularly in a simulator but the co-pilot was frightened, and it triggered self criticism and pressure.

At the time he was unaware of peer support or help offered by his employers.

A statement from the airline said: “easyJet assisted with the AAIB’s investigation which confirmed that the Captain performed a safe landing with the help of the crew and Air Traffic Control.

"The safety of those onboard was not compromised at any time. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is the airline's highest priority.

“We always take steps to ensure that our pilots are fully fit to operate. We offer support through an employee assistance programme (EAP), Pilot Peer Support Programme and we have a full Occupational Health provision.

"All pilots are licensed under aviation regulators and as part of this are subject to extensive regular medical assessments which include mental health assessments.

“After being fully supported by easyJet, his aviation medical examiner and other medical professionals, the co-pilot was assessed as fit to return to flying.”