A British Airways flight experienced a perilous encounter with a drone flying significantly above the legal altitude limit, according to safety investigators. The incident involved an Airbus A321 and occurred while the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 9,600 feet—far exceeding the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority maximum height of 400 feet for recreational drones.
The close call took place approximately 30 miles from London Heathrow Airport, as reported by the MailOnline and detailed in an Airprox investigation report. The report categorizes the event as a high-risk incident, highlighting the drone’s alarming proximity to the jet, which was en route from Athens to London with 180 passengers aboard and traveling at a speed of 250 mph.
The pilot described the drone as flying “extremely close,” passing just five feet from the aircraft’s wing and about 30 feet from the cockpit. This encounter underscores the growing concern over unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their potential to cause serious harm to commercial flights.
Experts, including those from the University of Dayton and Birmingham University, have warned of the dangers drones pose to aircraft, emphasizing the risk of significant damage or even catastrophic outcomes from collisions. The 2018 disruption at London Gatwick Airport, where drone sightings near the runway led to over 1,000 flight cancellations, further illustrates the pressing need for stringent regulations and enforcement to mitigate drone-related hazards in airspace.
Related news: https://www.airguide.info/?s=drone
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, businessinsider.com
