‘Significant risk’ after drone miss

The UK’s first near-miss between an aircraft and multiple drones has been reported by a passenger jet approaching Heathrow Airport.

An Airbus A320 was flying at 5,500ft over east London when its flight crew spotted two white, orbshaped drones.

The pilots “remained in constant visual contact” with the gadgets to ensure they did not hit the airliner as it passed alongside them, according to a report by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB).

The investigation found that the distraction had “compromised the safety of the aircraft”.

There would have been a “significant risk of collision” if the passenger jet was on a different approach path to Heathrow, said one of the pilots.

A report was made to the Metropolitan Police but the drone operators could not be traced.

It was estimated that the drones came within 500 metres of the aircraft, which was not identified in the report.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the incident on November 20 last year was the first aircraft near-miss involving more than one drone.

Less than half an hour later, a Boeing 777 approaching Heathrow flew within 50 metres of what is believed to be one of the drones. The pilot saw an object that was white, around two metres wide and with four prongs.

There were five nearmisses between aircraft and drones in the latest monthly UKAB report, bringing the total over the past 12 months to 62.

Police are being flooded with reports about drones after a surge in incidents registered by forces, including rows between neighbours, prison smuggling, burglary “scoping” exercises and snooping fears.

“Distraction had ‘compromised the safety of the aircraft’”

FOLDING STUFF: The old paper fiver, which has co-existed with the new note since the polymer banknote was issued in September 2016