Big Trev,
your comment on fatigue may be true if their previous duties were Days Off. Most likely, their roster was like mine, where Pafos is the 2nd. or third duty after an very early start on Saturday. Usually finishes with a delightful night trip to Bodrum, where I can tell you I'm well whacked on the outbound sector. (please, no TSGR tonight!). I'm not excusing the error, but like all a/c accidents, multiple factors lead up to it.
IMHO all these Eastern Med flights to Cyprus and Egypt should be Level 2 variations or nightstops. Airlines are so desparate to save a few dollars/quid that they stretch us to breaking point and then wonder why we make mistakes.
