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Stansted Airport: Drone 'missed landing plane by 15m' | Stansted Airport: Drone 'missed landing plane by 15m' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A drone flying more than 20 times the allowed height came within 15m (50ft) of a Boeing 737 approaching a runway at Stansted Airport in Essex. | A drone flying more than 20 times the allowed height came within 15m (50ft) of a Boeing 737 approaching a runway at Stansted Airport in Essex. |
The plane was flying at 10,000ft (3km) and coming in to land on 17 August when the captain spotted the drone. | The plane was flying at 10,000ft (3km) and coming in to land on 17 August when the captain spotted the drone. |
The first officer then saw "a dark-coloured square or rectangle-shaped object pass down the right side of the aircraft with minimal separation". | The first officer then saw "a dark-coloured square or rectangle-shaped object pass down the right side of the aircraft with minimal separation". |
The UK Airprox Board rated the risk of collision as the highest possible. | The UK Airprox Board rated the risk of collision as the highest possible. |
After the incident, which happened at 16:36 BST, the plane was inspected on the ground and found no evidence of contact or damage. | After the incident, which happened at 16:36 BST, the plane was inspected on the ground and found no evidence of contact or damage. |
It is not known whether the Boeing 737 was carrying passengers or cargo. | It is not known whether the Boeing 737 was carrying passengers or cargo. |
'Totally unacceptable' | 'Totally unacceptable' |
The drone operator, who it is understood has not been traced, was in breach of the Air Navigation Order 2009, which refers to flight safety of unmanned craft. | The drone operator, who it is understood has not been traced, was in breach of the Air Navigation Order 2009, which refers to flight safety of unmanned craft. |
Drones must not be flown in airspace or above 400ft (121m) or in the vicinity of airports without permission from air traffic control and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). | |
The Airprox Board, which investigates near misses, said the drone was "endangering other aircraft at that location" and that "providence had played a major part in the incident". | The Airprox Board, which investigates near misses, said the drone was "endangering other aircraft at that location" and that "providence had played a major part in the incident". |
A CAA spokesman said: "It is totally unacceptable to fly drones close to airports and anyone flouting the rules can face severe penalties including imprisonment. | |
"Anyone operating a drone must do so responsibly and observe all relevant rules and regulations. The rules for flying drones are designed to keep all airspace users safe." | "Anyone operating a drone must do so responsibly and observe all relevant rules and regulations. The rules for flying drones are designed to keep all airspace users safe." |