The UK Airprox Board has published details of several alarming close encounters between commercial aircraft and unidentified objects or suspected drones. In one incident, an Airbus A319 passenger jet coming in to land at London Gatwick was approached by an unidentified disc-shaped object.
Pilot describes 'flying saucer' near miss
According to the board's report, the A319 pilot reported seeing the object while descending and turning left. The official record states:
"The A319 pilot reports that descending, turning left, a disc or 'flying saucer' type suspected drone was seen flying very close in the opposite direction, at the same level to them, past their right wing. Approximately 100-300ft from their aircraft wing. The object looked like a disc with darker markings on the rim, a suspected possible drone but not sure. It was very close to the aircraft, but no evasive action was required as they were in a turn already."
Following an assessment, the board concluded that the safety of the jet had been "reduced", according to The Sun.
Separate drone reported near Heathrow
Another incident in the same month involved an A321 aircraft near Heathrow Airport. The crew saw a drone pass close enough to see details such as its colour, shape and individual props spinning. The official report said:
"The A321 pilot reports that, whilst in a left turn on to base leg at LHR (over Marlow), a drone was witnessed to fly down the left-hand-side of the aircraft at close enough proximity to see details such as the colour, shape and individual props spinning."
Investigating the close call, Airprox officials said: "The board considered that providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed."
RAF pilots encounter unknown craft over North Sea
The reports also detail a separate encounter involving military personnel. Two Royal Air Force pilots on an air-to-air refuelling mission at 16,000ft over the North Sea off the Norfolk coast spotted an unidentified craft. One pilot, flying in a Voyager tanker, had to duck as the object passed at a distance of only 100ft to 150ft. Although a pilot in an accompanying Typhoon fighter also saw the object, it did not appear on radar systems.
