Drone pilot hunted after near miss with aircraft

A RECKLESS drone operator risked causing a mid-air disaster after flying his device near the path of a holiday aircraft, police said yesterday.

The plane was on the final approach to landing with 62 people on board when its pilot raised the alarm after the near miss.

It is the latest example of the potential danger posed by the remote-controlled drones.

Police rushed to the area from where the drone was being flown at a height of around 900ft – almost double the legal maximum – but were unable to find the device or its operator.

Coming after figures showing a rise in near misses between drones and commercial aircraft, the latest incident is likely to reinforce calls for tighter restrictions on the devices.

Pilots say the outcome could be catastrophic if a drone smashed into an airliner’s cockpit.

The drone was spotted by the pilot of a propeller-powered ATR72 descending towards Newquay airport in Cornwall after a short flight on behalf of Flybe from Stansted Airport in Essex on Tuesday afternoon.

Inspector Dave Meredith, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘The close proximity of the drone to the passenger aircraft shows a complete disregard by the operator for public safety.’

Drones are widely used by the military, as well as for helping with search and rescue operations and aerial filming.

They can also deliver items such as small parcels, but to many owners they are expensive toys.

‘Disregard for public safety’