A pilot flying a commercial aircraft reported a close encounter with a suspected drone resembling a “flying saucer” near Gatwick Airport. This incident, along with other similar encounters in the UK involving drones and aircraft, has raised concerns about aviation safety.
In the specific incident at Gatwick Airport, the pilot of an A319 plane described seeing a disc-shaped object, possibly a drone, flying very close to their aircraft as they were maneuvering to land. Despite the proximity of the object, the pilot did not need to take evasive action as they were already in a turn.
After reviewing the near-miss, the UK Airprox Board concluded that the safety of the aircraft had been compromised. Another incident near Heathrow Airport involved an A321 aircraft where the crew observed a drone flying dangerously close to their plane.
Furthermore, a separate incident over the North Sea involved RAF pilots witnessing an unidentified craft while on a refueling mission. The pilots reported a close encounter with the object, with one of them having to duck as it passed within 100-150ft, although it did not register on radar systems.
These incidents underscore the growing concerns surrounding drone sightings near commercial aircraft and highlight the need for enhanced safety measures to prevent potential collisions in the future.
