Airlines
easyJet plane risks colliding with a drone as it hovers ‘within 10ft’ of aircraft
EasyJet plane carrying 180 passengers came within 10 feet of a drone over the coast of Kent
According to a new report, an easyJet plane carrying 180 passengers came within 10 feet of a drone over the coast of Kent. The near-miss occurred on an Airbus A230 aircraft from Gatwick to Greece, with the airline’s first officer fearing the worst after hearing a ‘thud.’
Pilots said they saw a ‘black and cylindrical’ object hurtling towards them about 20 miles west of Dover. A post-flight examination determined that there had been no accident, and a subsequent report determined that the object was most likely a drone. If it had been a drone, it would have been 40 times higher than its allowable height (400ft) as it went precisely beneath the jet 16,000ft in the air.
The captain told air traffic controllers that “We almost hit a drone.” We’re talking about a distance of less than ten feet.” We don’t believe we hit anything; there was a thud; we’ll get back to you.”
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The UK Airprox Board analyzed near misses and classified the occurrence as Category A, indicating that a serious collision was possible. An easyJet spokeswoman confirmed that the cabin crew followed all safety requirements.
