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Two near-misses renew fears drones could cause major air accident Two near-misses renew fears drones could cause major air accident
(35 minutes later)
Fears that drones could cause a major air accident have been reignited after two more near-misses in London and Manchester, with one drone having passed over the wing of a passenger jet. Fears that drones could cause a major air accident have been reignited after two more near-misses in London and Manchester, with one drone passing over the wing of a passenger jet.
Investigators said a 2ft- (60cm) wide drone had just missed the right wing of a Boeing 767 plane that was coming in to land at Manchester airport. Investigators said a drone about 2ft (60cm) wide had just missed the right wing of a Boeing 767 that was coming in to land at Manchester airport.
While the pilot was uncertain about what he had seen passing about 20ft from the plane, investigators said his report, along with radar images and video recordings, meant that the object was most probably a drone with a camera. While the pilot was uncertain about what he had seen passing about six metres from the plane, investigators said his report, along with radar images and video recordings, meant that the object was most probably a drone with a camera.
They said the drone operator, who could not be traced, had “recklessly endangered” the plane in the incident on 20 July.They said the drone operator, who could not be traced, had “recklessly endangered” the plane in the incident on 20 July.
In another incident classed as high risk two weeks later, a drone the size of a football was flown as close as 60ft from a passenger jet as it circledabove south-east London on its way to Heathrow. In another incident classed as high risk two weeks later, a drone the size of a football was as close as 20 metres to a passenger jet as it circledabove south-east London on its way to Heathrow.
The Airbus A320’s first officer shouted: “Look”, as the drone, which had a flashing magenta light, passed close to the plane at around 11,000ft. The Airbus A320’s first officer shouted: “Look”, as the drone, which had a flashing magenta light, passed close to the plane at around 11,000ft (3,350 metres).
Air traffic control was immediately alerted to the incident, which occurred on 4 August. Details were passed to the Metropolitan police but the drone operator could not be traced. A collision “had only been narrowly avoided” and chance had played a “major part”, the report noted.Air traffic control was immediately alerted to the incident, which occurred on 4 August. Details were passed to the Metropolitan police but the drone operator could not be traced. A collision “had only been narrowly avoided” and chance had played a “major part”, the report noted.
The UK Airprox Board, an air safety body, said a minority of drone operators were continuing to “flagrantly disregarding regulation and common sense” to film “ever more spectacular video footage”.The UK Airprox Board, an air safety body, said a minority of drone operators were continuing to “flagrantly disregarding regulation and common sense” to film “ever more spectacular video footage”.
Flight crews are rarely able to take any action to avoid potential collision with drones on a visual sighting.Flight crews are rarely able to take any action to avoid potential collision with drones on a visual sighting.
Civil Aviation Authority rules also state that drones should not be flown above 400ft.Civil Aviation Authority rules also state that drones should not be flown above 400ft.
Pilots have called for urgent action to address the risks to passenger aircraft from drones, after a spate of near-misses. Balpa, the pilots union, has pressed for better education on drone operation, as well as compulsory registration of drones and more high-profile prosecutions of offenders.Pilots have called for urgent action to address the risks to passenger aircraft from drones, after a spate of near-misses. Balpa, the pilots union, has pressed for better education on drone operation, as well as compulsory registration of drones and more high-profile prosecutions of offenders.
The union has also called for “geo-fencing” to be used for all drones, fitting them with technology that would stop them being flown in prohibited airspace.The union has also called for “geo-fencing” to be used for all drones, fitting them with technology that would stop them being flown in prohibited airspace.
It also has called for testing to establish what the effect of a drone striking an engine would be. Similar tests are done with frozen birds at engine manufacturers. Pilots fear that the shrapnel from a collision between an engine and a drone could cause catastrophic damage to other parts of the plane. It also has called for testing to establish what the possible effect of a drone striking an engine. Similar tests are done with frozen birds at engine manufacturers. Pilots fear that the shrapnel from a collision between an engine and a drone could cause catastrophic damage to other parts of the plane.