2020105
|
1 Sep 20 2213Z |
B737
(CAT)
|
Unk Obj
|
3.4NM SE Leeds Airport
1800ft alt
|
Leeds CTR
(D)
|
The B737 pilot reports that they were conducting a standard
approach into LBA, the FO was flying. It was calm conditions with good visibility.
At about 3.4NM from the runway both pilots suddenly saw a bright light and an
object which appeared to be moving toward the aircraft, almost head on,
slightly up and to the left. The object appeared without warning and there
was no time to act. The matter was reported straight away, and a normal
landing conducted. On taxiing in ATC informed them that the police helicopter
had earlier observed lanterns in the area. Neither of the pilots believed
what they saw was a lantern.
Reported Separation: 10ft V/ 5m 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: 4, 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. |
A
|
2020108
|
4 Sep 20
1424
|
A320
(CAT)
|
Drone
|
5327N 00225W
Manchester
FL80
|
Manchester TMA
(A)
|
The A320 pilot reports that, on initial departure on the SONEX 1R
SID and turning right onto 115°, both PM and PF saw a large drone pass very
close to the aircraft windscreen on the First Officer’s side. The drone was
blue, about 0.5m length and at the same level. The sighting was approximately
7NM to the NE of Manchester Airport (around Ashton) and looked to be a large
drone probably weighing at least 10kg. It narrowly missed the nose/windscreen
of the aircraft.
Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 0m H Reported Risk of Collision: High
The Prestwick controller reports that the A320 pilot reported seeing a drone at
8000ft, which passed close to the First Officer’s windscreen. The drone was
described as being approximately half a metre in size, probably about 10kg,
and blue in colour. The controller informed, amongst others, Manchester Departures.
The NATS investigation found no primary or secondary radar returns in the
vicinity of the Airprox that could have been a drone. |
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. |
A
|
2020110
|
27 Jul 20
1715
|
A319
(CAT)
|
Drone
|
5128N 00018W
5.1NM W Heathrow
1600ft
|
London CTR
(D)
|
The A319 pilot reports that they were 5.1NM on final for Heathrow
RW27 when they passed a red quadcopter type drone. There was no time to take
avoiding action. The drone was reported to Heathrow Tower.
Reported Separation: 30ft V/ 10m H Reported Risk of Collision: Medium
The Heathrow controller reports that the A319 pilot reported a drone passing down
the right-hand side of the aircraft when 5NM final for RW27 at 1600ft. The
police were informed and a broadcast made on ATIS. |
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. |
A
|
2020113
|
6 Sep 20
1512
|
EC135
(HEMS)
|
Drone
|
5706N 00207W
Aberdeen
2300ft
|
Aberdeen CTR
(D)
|
The EC135 pilot reports turning final for the ILS RW34 at Aberdeen
when a drone was sighted approximately. 0.5NM away and moving across the aircraft's
flightpath from right-to-left and approximately 300-400ft below. The aircraft
was manoeuvred to remain well clear and the drone passed down the port side
of the aircraft at approximately 0.5NM. It was metallic and glinting but no
other major details could be seen. The ILS was completed without issue and
ATC was informed.
Reported Separation: 300-400ft V/0.5NM
H Reported Risk of Collision: NR
The Aberdeen controller reports that, in the
vicinity of the ATF NDB, the EC135 pilot reported seeing a drone at 2000ft
passing behind them by 1/2 mile. The EC135 was descending through 2300ft at
the time and on a closing heading for the ILS. The EC135 went through the
localiser to provide distance from the drone and subsequently was turned to establish
on the ILS from the right. The drone was described as being larger than a toy
but smaller than a large commercial drone. It was metallic in colour and was
seen manoeuvring towards the south. Subsequent
aircraft were informed and the next inbound elected to land on RW16.
|
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, 7
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. |
C
|
2020118
|
11 Sep 20
1559
|
B737
(CAT)
|
Balloon
|
5326N 00204W
9NM NE Manchester
2900ft
|
Manchester CTR
(D)
|
The B737 pilot reports that on approach to RW23R at Manchester, at
10NM final, they spotted an object ahead.
At first it was thought to be a large bird, but by 9NM and at 2600ft
the object was seen to be a long red cylindrical shaped balloon-like object.
It was around 1-2m in length. At 8.5NM
the object passed to the left of the aircraft, less than 50m from the left
wing. The incident was reported to Manchester ATC.
Reported Separation: ~0ft V/50m H Reported Risk of Collision: NR
The Manchester controller reports that the B737 had been vectored onto the 23R
ILS. Shortly before transfer to the tower, the crew reported that they had
just passed a red balloon “about one hundred feet off our left wing”. The
crew confirmed that it was a toy-type balloon, no larger than 1m. At that
point the aircraft had been 9NM final and descending through 2900ft. There
was some primary clutter on the radar screen, although nothing in the
reported location of the balloon. The crew of the following aircraft was
informed and reported happy to continue, all aircraft in the following
sequence were warned and each one subsequently reported no sighting when
passing through the area. |
In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude or
description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it was probably a
balloon.
Applicable
Contributory Factors: 4, 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. |
C
|
2020123
|
15 Sep 20
1603
|
Apache
(HQ JHC)
|
Drone
|
5154N 00015E
Stansted Airport
1200ft
|
Stansted CTR
(D)
|
The Apache pilot reports leading a pair of Apache helicopters, with the
No.2 in trail on the left, when the front seat occupant saw an airborne
object in the 12 o’clock at the same height and called to the HP to turn left
to avoid. The HP notified the No.2 while making an avoiding left turn of
about 15°. The No.2 confirmed what appeared to be a drone passing down the
right-hand side of the formation at the same level. The sighting of a
suspected drone about 1000ft above the eastern threshold of the active runway
was reported to Essex Radar, and assistance sought.
The
formation lead offered the option to turn back and confirm the sighting; No.2
remained clear to the north. The drone was again identified, and a grid was
sent to Essex Radar. Essex Radar requested them to remain on scene with
freedom of manoeuvre to provide assistance to the police in finding and
tracking the object. He remained visual in a right-hand orbit and climbed up
through the level to 500ft above. The drone remained largely static, climbing
to about 2500ft and moving away slowly to the South East towards Great
Dunmow. The lead Apache remained on scene for about 30min until the object
was assessed clear of the runway.
Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 50m 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
although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision. |
C
|
2020125
|
15 Sep 20
0926
|
FR20
(Civ Com)
|
Drone
|
5126N 00011E
London City
3600ft
|
London TMA
(A)
|
The FR20 pilot reports that they were on the ILS for RW09,
descending from 4000ft to 2000ft. On
passing 3600ft they saw a black drone, approximately 20-30cm diameter pass
along the RH winglet. At its closest point it was less than 10m. Thames
director was informed.
Reported Separation: 10ft V/ 0m H Reported Risk of Collision: High
The Thames Director reports that the FR20 was on approach to RW09 at
London City. At 0926, when approximately 10NM SE of London City, the pilot
reported that a black drone passed close to the aircraft. |
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. |
A
|
2020128
|
6 Sep 20
1419
|
B737
(CAT)
|
Unk Obj
|
5232N 00145W
5NM N of BHX
2000ft
|
Birmingham CTR
(D)
|
The B737 pilot reports that a drone was spotted by the flight deck
shortly after departing BHX RW33. The aircraft was climbing through
approximately 4000ft on the ADMEX 1M departure during the initial right-hand
turn. The crew estimated the white-coloured drone to be approximately 2000ft
altitude (about 2000ft below aircraft altitude) and 0.5NM to the south. It
was of no threat to the aircraft and no avoiding action was necessary. The
drone was reported to London ATC.
Reported Separation: 2000ft V/0.5NM H Reported Risk of Collision: None
The TC London Watch Supervisor reports that the B737 pilot reported an encounter
with a drone departing Birmingham Airport. There was no further impact on ATC
operations. |
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: 4, 8
Risk: The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account
of the incident portrayed a situation where
normal procedures and/or safety standards had applied. |
E
|
2020130
|
17 Sep 20
1244
|
A319
(CAT)
|
Drone
|
5120 00036W
5NM W OCK
FL065
|
London TMA
(A)
|
The A319 pilot reports that they had just left the OCK beacon for
an approach into Heathrow and were on a 290° heading descending to 4000ft.
The workload was not high, the flight crew were comfortable and familiar with
the area, aircraft and arrival procedures as it was their home base. The
First Officer, flying from the right seat, happened to look out the window
towards west London and LHR, and caught sight of the object. It was a very
quick event, and he estimated that he probably saw it for 1sec. It seemed
very close and it seemed to go
underneath
a right wingtip fence. The suspected drone seemed to be in a bank, yellow in
colour, about 1-2ft wide, and looked like a yellow brick. It appeared to have
two internally fitted rotors and no lights. ATC was notified, a safety report
was filled out on the ground, and the police were notified (presumably by ATC)
so they were interviewed on arrival.
Reported Separation: 50ft V/ 75m 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
safety had been much reduced below the norm to the extent that safety had
not been assured. |
B
|
2020131
|
17 Sep 20
1002
|
PA28
(Civ FW)
|
Drone
|
5130N 00047W
White Waltham
1200ft
|
White Waltham ATZ
(G)
|
The PA28 pilot reports re-joining overhead White Waltham from the
NW at 1200ft QFE for the RW07 right-hand circuit. As the student positioned to join, they
sighted an object moving at their 12 o'clock, moving right and down the right
side of the aircraft at their level of 1200ft and about 50-100m laterally.
Waltham radio was informed of the occurrence and that it was approximately
0.5NM NW of RW07 threshold. As they flew downwind they could still see the
drone stationary, in approximately the same position.
Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 50-100m H Reported Risk of Collision: NR |
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, 7
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. |
C
|