British Airways Airbus carrying 137 people is struck by a drone as pilot prepares to land at Heathrow

 

A passenger jet was hit by a drone above London yesterday, sparking major concerns over air safety.

The front of a British Airways jet, G-EUYP, carrying 132 passengers and five crew, was struck in what is believed to be the first time a drone has hit a commercial plane in British airspace.

The Airbus A320 from Geneva was minutes away from landing at Heathrow when it was hit. The aircraft landed safely.

Metropolitan Police detectives are investigating the strike, which follows a string of near misses in recent months.

Association flight safety specialist Steve Landells, a former RAF and BA pilot, said: ‘Frankly it was only a matter of time before we had a drone strike given the huge numbers being flown around by amateurs who don’t understand the risks and the rules. Much more education of drone users and enforcement of the rules is needed to ensure our skies remain safe from this threat.’

The BA jet was between five and ten minutes away from landing at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 when it was struck at 12.50pm.

A CAA spokesman said: ‘It is totally unacceptable to fly drones close to airports and anyone flouting the rules can face severe penalties including imprisonment.

‘Drone users have to understand that when taking to the skies they are potentially flying close to one of the busiest areas of airspace in the world – a complex system that brings together all manner of aircraft, including passenger aeroplanes, military jets, helicopters, gliders and light aircraft. Anyone operating a drone must do so responsibly and observe all relevant rules and regulations.’

The strike is the latest in a string of incidents involving drones in British airspace.

A report last month by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) found there were 23 near misses between drones and aircraft between April and October last year. They included one on September 22, when a Boeing 777 that had just taken off reported that a drone narrowly passed down its righthand side.

Source: AIRLINE STAFF RATES