Aircrew say drone probably hit tail of plane landing at Heathrow

A DRONE might have clipped the tail of a passenger jet that was coming into land at Heathrow, according to a report.

A three-or four-engine white drone passed just 5ft over the first officer’s window, according to a report by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) into the incident involving an Airbus A321.

Airline crew members told investigators that they believed the drone “must have collided with the tail” as it was flown so close to the plane.

The incident happened at an altitude of 1,700ft on Oct 25 last year as the plane flew over Kew, west London.

The UKAB put it in the highest category of risk. “Providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed,” the report concluded.

It added: “The crew considered that the drone passed close enough that it must have collided with the tail.”

Engineers inspected the aircraft after landing but there was “no tangible evidence of collision”.

The identity of the aircraft involved was not disclosed by the UKAB.

In spring, the Government is due to publish a draft Drone Bill that will require drone users to register and sit safety awareness tests.

Banning drones from flying near airports or above 400ft could also form part of the new regulations.