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12 Jul 19     

1256

B757

(CAT)

5350N 00137W

1nm SE Leeds/Bradford

900ft

LBA CTR

(D)

The B757 pilot reports at approximately 1.2nm prior to landing at LBA RW32, a suspected drone was spotted.  It was in the hover, in the 11 o’clock, 100ft below their level.  As their closure rate increased the object dropped rapidly before darting off laterally, passing below and to the port side of the aircraft.

Reported Separation: 100ft V

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

23 Aug 19

1701

A319

(CAT)

5603N 00304W

10nm Edinburgh

3400ft

Edinburgh CTA

(D)

The A319 pilot reports he was on the approach to Edinburgh when he saw a black drone with 4 rotors pass 50 to 100m away.  It passed by rapidly and no action was possible.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 50-100m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Very High

The Edinburgh Controller reports he was vectoring a number of aircraft including the A319.  At 1701 the pilot reported that he had seen a drone on his right at 3400ft.  the controller asked how close and was told ‘1 wingspan’.  No further details were passed, and the drone was not seen by any other pilots.

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

26 Aug 19

1257

DA40

(Civ FW)

5210N 00042W

OLNEY VRP

2200ft

London FIR

(G)

The DA40 pilot reports in straight and level cruise when he saw a silver and black quadcopter drone ahead and below them. He turned left to avoid and the drone passed under the right wing.

Reported Separation: 300ft V/0m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Medium

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision.

26 Aug 19

1207

GL6000S

(Civ Comm)

5149N 00040W

Luton

4000ft

Luton CTA

(D)

The GL6000S pilot reports he was inbound to Luton when he saw a drone moving west to east at around 4000ft on 12nm final RW08. The drone was black and appeared to have some sort of light source at the front. The size was difficult to judge but best estimate was 50cm by 50cm. It was estimated to pass within 10ft of the aircraft.  An inspection after landing did not find any evidence of a strike.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 10ft H

Reported Risk of Collision: NR

The Swanwick Controller reports that the GL6000S pilot reported that he had seen a drone at 4000ft and almost hit it. He was 12nm final for RW08 Luton.  The following aircraft did not report seeing it.

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were such that they were unable to determine the nature of the unknown object.

Applicable Contributory Factors:  5

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

28 Aug 19

1839

DHC-8

(CAT)

5125N 00007W

Croydon

4400ft

London TMA

(A)

The DHC-8 pilot reports that he was following radar vectors when the crew saw a white oval shape which did not look like a bird. The object did not have any lights nor were any propellers noticeable or visible at the height/speed at which the object passed. However, a marking was just noticeable on each end of the oval object, believed to be black in colour.

Reported Separation: ~200ft/0m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Medium

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were such that they were unable to determine the nature of the unknown object.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 5

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision.

01 Sep 19

1605

PA15

(Civ FW)

5126N 00209W

1nm N Corsham

2300ft

London FIR

(G)

The PA15 pilot reports he was beginning his descent towards his destination airfield and as he passed though 2300ft he saw a white drone with 4 rotor arms pass down the left-hand-side of the aircraft, at a similar altitude.  It was about 200m from the port wingtip of the aircraft.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 200m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Medium

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision.

12 Aug 19

1255

CL605

(Civ FW)

5156N 00006W

Ardeley

3000ft

London FIR

(G)

The CL605 pilot reports that he was being vectored for the approach at Luton when they saw a large red/orange drone ‘at the end of the left wingtip’. The pilot commented that the only reason a collision did not occur was because the aircraft had begun to turn left on to the base leg. Had this not been the case it was believed that the drone would have impacted the front of the aircraft or the left wing.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/<50yd H

Reported Risk of Collision: High

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were such that they were unable to determine the nature of the unknown object.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 5

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

01 Sep 19

1830

EMB170

(CAT)

5135N 00008E

Romford

3000ft

London TMA

(A)

The EMB 170 pilot reports he was conducting a SID when he visually acquired a small drone half a mile ahead and 100ft below.  The drone was difficult to distinguish against the urban background and the apparent high closure rate left little time for avoiding action.  It was a small consumer drone white with black or dark extremities and 4 rotors.  It appeared to be either in a hover, or in slow level flight aligned with their track.

Reported Separation: 100ft V/ 0m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Low

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

29 Aug 19

0957

EMB175

(CAT)

5233N 00140W

Marston

5500ft

Daventry CTA

(A)

The EMB175 pilot reports descending from 6000ft to 5000ft when he saw something flying towards them. Anticipating a bird strike, he followed the flying

object visually when he noticed it was a red and white drone flying opposite track. He reported it to ATC control.

Reported Separation: ~200ft V/<1NM H

Reported Risk of Collision: High

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where safety had been much reduced below the norm to the extent that safety had not been assured.

1 Sep 19

1705

B777

(CAT)

5127N 00047W

Binfield

6000ft

London TMA

(A)

The B777 pilot reports departing LHR 27L on a Compton 3G. As they were levelling at 6000ft he observed a large grey drone pass slightly to the left and below. It was square in appearance and quite close; there was no time to avoid it.

Reported Separation: 200-300ft

Reported Risk of Collision: Not reported.

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where safety had been much reduced below the norm to the extent that safety had not been assured.

05 Sep 19

1818

A320

(CAT)

5119N 00003E

3-4nm W BIG VOR

FL70

London TMA

(A)

The A320 pilot reports that they left the BIG hold on heading 270° at FL70, suddenly the FO spotted a drone at the 11 o’clock position.  He immediately reported it to the CMD, who also saw the drone just a second later on his left.  It was approximately 50m from the left wing and 20m below.  The colour was difficult to describe in the sunset, but it seemed to be sliver-grey with a red ‘spot’ (which could have been a reflection) on top.  The CMD had the impression that there were four landing aids attached to the underside of the drone. The FO reported the incident to ATC.

Reported Separation: 20mV/ 50m H

Reported Risk of Collision: High

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

14 Sep 19

0643

EMB145

(CAT)

Dovestone Reservoir

5332N 00159W

4300ft

Manchester CTR

(D)

The EMB170 pilot reports he was on final for the Manchester ILS RW23 when a drone, or object, came within 5m of striking the aircraft. It passed to the front right, slightly above 4300ft (approx. 2500agl).  The object was dark in colour, and thought to be a medium to large drone, there were no obvious lights and it appeared to be stationary at the time.  The sun was low at the time and the Capt had the sun visor down, the FO spotted it first and both crew members saw it as it went past.

Reported Separation: 5m H

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were such that they were unable to determine the nature of the unknown object.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 5

Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.