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Sonic booms heard as RAF scrambles Typhoons | Sonic booms heard as RAF scrambles Typhoons |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Loud bangs heard in parts of Yorkshire were sonic booms from Typhoon jets scrambled to identify "an unresponsive civilian aircraft", the RAF has said. | Loud bangs heard in parts of Yorkshire were sonic booms from Typhoon jets scrambled to identify "an unresponsive civilian aircraft", the RAF has said. |
The aircraft were launched from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, on Monday and helped guide an Air France plane to a safe landing in Newcastle. | |
People reported their houses shaking at about 21:50 BST after hearing what sounded like two loud explosions. | People reported their houses shaking at about 21:50 BST after hearing what sounded like two loud explosions. |
These were later confirmed to have been sonic booms. | These were later confirmed to have been sonic booms. |
An RAF spokesman said: "Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft. | An RAF spokesman said: "Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft. |
"Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely landed." | "Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely landed." |
Radio problem | |
Reports suggested the jets had escorted the plane after it went off course. | |
Air France confirmed that the unresponsive civilian aircraft was one of its planes. | |
The airline tweeted from its official UK Twitter account: "Air France confirms that due to a radio communication problem AF 1558 had to be accompanied by two British fighter aircrafts according to the procedure. | |
"The aircraft landed in Newcastle at 22:20 (LT). Safety of clients & crew is an absolute priority." | |
North Yorkshire Police had tweeted to reassure people there was no danger, later writing: "Confirmation from RAF that loud bangs heard across the county were sonic booms from RAF Typhoon jets. No cause for concern." | |
One woman wrote: "house shook & whole street was out, car & house alarms gone off. Apparently was a sonic boom". | One woman wrote: "house shook & whole street was out, car & house alarms gone off. Apparently was a sonic boom". |