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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| RAF jets intercept Latvian cargo plane over Kent | RAF jets intercept Latvian cargo plane over Kent |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two RAF jets scrambled to intercept a Latvian cargo plane created a sonic boom over Kent. | Two RAF jets scrambled to intercept a Latvian cargo plane created a sonic boom over Kent. |
| The Russian-made aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers and was escorted to Stansted Airport by the pair of Typhoons. | The Russian-made aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers and was escorted to Stansted Airport by the pair of Typhoons. |
| Kent Police received several calls reporting a loud bang coming from the Dartford area at about 16:40 GMT. | Kent Police received several calls reporting a loud bang coming from the Dartford area at about 16:40 GMT. |
| An airport spokesman said police officers surrounded the aircraft after it landed at 17:15. | An airport spokesman said police officers surrounded the aircraft after it landed at 17:15. |
| A blast was felt across the county, according to posts on Twitter. | A blast was felt across the county, according to posts on Twitter. |
| The airport spokesman said surrounding the plane was standard procedure when communication had been lost with an aircraft. | The airport spokesman said surrounding the plane was standard procedure when communication had been lost with an aircraft. |
| He said officers were later stood down and the plane was continuing its journey. | He said officers were later stood down and the plane was continuing its journey. |
| 'Supersonic speed' | 'Supersonic speed' |
| An RAF spokesman said: "Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft south of London which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities. | An RAF spokesman said: "Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft south of London which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities. |
| "The aircraft was safely escorted to London Stansted. | "The aircraft was safely escorted to London Stansted. |
| "To fulfil their quick reaction role the Typhoons were cleared to travel at supersonic speed, any noise disturbance as a result of this is regretted." | "To fulfil their quick reaction role the Typhoons were cleared to travel at supersonic speed, any noise disturbance as a result of this is regretted." |
| The RAF confirmed the aircraft was a Russian-made Antonov An-26. | The RAF confirmed the aircraft was a Russian-made Antonov An-26. |
| It apologised if crews had "startled people" but added that jets only went supersonic over land when absolutely necessary. | It apologised if crews had "startled people" but added that jets only went supersonic over land when absolutely necessary. |
| Essex Police said three people on board, who were all Lithuanian, had been spoken to and it was established everything was in order. | Essex Police said three people on board, who were all Lithuanian, had been spoken to and it was established everything was in order. |
| The reason for the short loss of communication was a change in airspace jurisdiction, police said. | The reason for the short loss of communication was a change in airspace jurisdiction, police said. |
| Officers said they were not investigating the incident. | Officers said they were not investigating the incident. |
| Stansted said the plane was expected to leave the airport later but staff still had to organise a take-off slot and refuelling. | Stansted said the plane was expected to leave the airport later but staff still had to organise a take-off slot and refuelling. |
| A spokeswoman for RAF-AVIA, the Latvian airline that operated the aircraft, said it had been on a routine flight to Birmingham from Italy when the pilots lost communication with air traffic control on entering UK airspace. | |
| She said the technical reason behind the communication failure was still unclear and the company had not yet spoken to its crew. | She said the technical reason behind the communication failure was still unclear and the company had not yet spoken to its crew. |
| The plane was carrying equipment for an automotive assembly line. | The plane was carrying equipment for an automotive assembly line. |