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| British Airways Airbus A320 |
Airport police have confirmed that a British Airways Airbus A320-200, Registration G-EUYP (Flight No: BA 727) (132 passengers and 5 crew) was struck by a UAV /drone, on the nose area, as it was on its final approach to land at London Heathrow Airport on Sunday afternoon.
Police have opened an investigation after a UAV/drone, struck the front of the passenger plane as it approached Heathrow bound for Terminal 5, The incident happened at around 12.50pm. The pilot safely landed the flight BA727 from Geneva, police said. This is the latest in a long line of incidents.
Julian Bray, aviation expert commented: " With miles of perimeter fencing, London Heathrow is not to difficult to penetrate as demonstrated by the 'Heathrow 13' defendants, protesting about airport runway expansion. UAV operation can be controlled from outside the airport. The authorities really have to tighten up legislation concerning the operation of UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) it only needs one or more to be sucked into the aircraft engine, to cause a serious engine failure. We urgently need a 10 mile exclusion zone for the operation of recreational UAV's around all airports and helicopter sites. It is as serious as that. Nothing less will do."
DRONE CODE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36072039
CAA NOT TAKING ACTION: https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/caa-takes-no-action-after-drone-incident-4364?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
A spokesperson for The Civil Aviation Authority [CAA] said:
'The CAA is aware of a possible incident with a drone at Heathrow today (Sunday 17 April) which is subject to investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Safety is our first priority. 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. It is totally unacceptable to fly drones close to airports and anyone flouting the rules can face severe penalties including imprisonment.
For incidents such as this the CAA would receive a report from an airline within 96 hours.
The CAA's “dronecode” provides advice on how to fly your drone safely and follow the rules at all times.
The Dronecode
- Make sure you can see your drone at all times and don't fly higher than 400 feet
- Always keep your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields
- Use your common sense and fly safely; you could be prosecuted if you don't.
Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown:
- within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures
- over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts and sports events
More information at: www.caa.co.uk/droneaware.
Drone users have to understand that when taking to the skies they are potentially flying close to one of the busiest areas of airspace in the world - a complex system that brings together all manner of aircraft including passenger aeroplanes, military jets, helicopters, gliders and light aircraft.'
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British Airways said the aircraft was examined by engineers and cleared for its next flight following the incident.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “A pilot on an inbound flight into Heathrow Airport from Geneva reported to police that he believed a drone / UAV had struck the aircraft.
“It transpired that an object, believed to be a drone, had struck the front of the aircraft.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.
“Aviation police based at Heathrow have opened an investigation.”
A British Airways spokesman said: “Our aircraft landed safely, was fully examined by our engineers and it was cleared to operate its next flight.
“Safety and security are always our first priority and we will give the police every assistance with their investigation. The investigation continues .....
A320 by flybyeigenheer (license CC by-sa)
Last Update: 2016-04-17 18:43:44 GMT
A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYP performing flight BA-727 from Geneva (Switzerland) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 132 passengers and 5 crew, was on final approach to Heathrow's runway 27L when the crew reported a drone had impacted the aircraft.
The A320 continued for a safe landing on runway 27L and taxied to the apron.
The airline reported the aircraft received minor damage, when an object impacted the nose section of the aircraft.
The aircraft was fully examined and has already been cleared to depart for its next flight.
Metropolitan Police reported an object believed to be a drone impacted the nose of the aircraft.
No arrests have been made so far, the investigation is ongoing.
The subject aircraft was able to resume service 2 hours after landing.
Recent UAV/Drone incidents: http://julianbrayrecessionbuster07944217476.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=UAV,Drone.
The strike is the latest in a string of incidents involving drones and aircraft in UK airspace. A report last month by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) found there were 23 near misses between drones and aircraft in the six months between April and October last year.
They included one on September 22, when a Boeing 777 that had just taken off reported that a drone narrowly passed down the right hand side of the airliner.
Investigators concluded that the drone was at the same height and within 25 metres of the jet.
A report was made to police but the drone operator was not traced.
Days later, on September 30, a drone was flown within a few metres of an Airbus A319 landing at Heathrow.
The pilot told the UKAB the drone may have been just 20 feet (six metres) above and 25 yards (23 metres) to the left when it passed by the aircraft.
The jet was flying at an altitude of 500 feet and was on the final approach to the west London airport when the drone was spotted.
*** Note: Early agency reports referred to a BA 727, this is a flight number flight BA 727, not an aircraft type. BA have retired their Boeing 727 fleet,
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581 Aviation Expert, Journalist & Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 www.aviationcomment.com
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