Drone & plane in ‘near hit’

A PASSENGER jet came within 15metres of hitting a drone flying more than 20 times the allowed height.

The Boeing 737, believed to be operated by Ryanair, was carrying up to 200 passengers into Stansted.

A report by the UK Airport Board, which investigates near misses, said the captain spotted it as they were approaching the runway on August 17 this year.

The first officer saw a “dark coloured square/rectangle shaped object” pass very close to the right-hand side of the plane.

After the plane landed, it was inspected for any evidence of suspected contact or damage but none was found.

Air traffic controllers were immediately informed and UKAB report rated it as the highest possible Category A incident, meaning there was “a serious risk of collision”.

It said: “The drone was being flown above the maximum permitted height of 400ft such that it was endangering other aircraft at that location.

“The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.”