Monthly meeting November 2023

2023076

Paraglider (Civ Hang)

Sportcruiser (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

A

2023086

Juno(A) (HQ Air Trg)

Juno(B) (HQ Air Trg)

London FIR (G)

C

2023087

R44 (Civ Helo)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023088

PA31 (Civ Comm)

DR400 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

E

2023089

A319 (CAT)

DA42 (Civ Comm)

Isle of Man CTR (D)

C

2023090

DA62 (Coast Guard)

Bell 505 (Civ Comm)

London FIR (G)

E

2023093

Ventus (Civ Gld)

Europa (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023094

R44 (Civ Helo)

PA28 (Civ FW)

Leicester ATZ (G)

C

2023096

Pegase (Civ Gld)

D328 (CAT)

London FIR (G)

C

2023097

KC135 (Foreign Mil)

G115 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

E

2023098

Bell 206 (Civ Comm)

Tipsy Nipper T66 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

A

2023101

Prefect (HQ Air trg)

Unk microlight (Unknown)

London FIR (G)

B

2023103

C152 (Civ FW)

Mooney M20 (Civ FW)

Wellesbourne ATZ (G)

C

2023104

C152(A) (Civ FW)

C152(B) (Civ FW)

Wellesbourne ATZ (G)

B

2023105

Hawker H25B (Civ Comm)

Dassault FA7X (Civ Comm)

Daventry CTA (A)

C

2023106

DA40 (Civ FW)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023107

C172 (Civ FW)

PA28 (Civ FW)

Duxford ATZ (G)

C

2023109

PA28 (Civ FW)

SR22 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023111

AW109 (HQ Air Trg)

Christen Eagle (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023115

R44 (Civ Comm)

F15 (Foreign Mil)

London FIR (G)

C

2023144

Avenger (RN)

AA5 (Civ FW)

Shawbury CMATZ (G)

C

0

2023225

25 Aug 23

1000

A320

(CAT)

Balloon

5110N 00029E

3.5NM NE Billericay

FL100

London TMA

(A)

The A320 pilot reports approaching WPT WESUL when their FO indicated a white flying-object at their 11 o’clock position, passing-by at a lower altitude. [The pilot] saw it too, shortly afterwards, but as there were only 2-3sec that this white, balloon-like object was in plain sight, they were not sure if it was a drone or a white balloon. No avoidance action was taken as there was no time to react. The FO sent a report to their [company] reporting office.

Reported Separation: 600ft V/ 400m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Medium

The Swanwick controller reports that, whilst operating as NE DEPS (bandboxed), the crew of [the A320] reported that a white object had passed 1000ft beneath them. They advised that they were unsure whether it was a balloon or a drone. [The Swanwick controller] advised the Midlands Group Supervisor of this. There were no [Heathrow] inbounds to warn about it.

NATS Safety Investigations report that, analysis of the radar indicated that there were no associated primary or secondary contacts associated with the drone report that were visible on radar at the approximate time of the event.

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

2023228

13 Aug 23

1258

A320

(CAT)

Drone

5136N 00009W

Finchley

6100ft

London TMA

(A)

The A320 pilot reports that on intermediate approach to Heathrow, not long after leaving the BNN hold and descending through FL65, a large quadcopter style drone was seen to pass directly beneath the aircraft. Separation was estimated to be around 200-300ft.

Reported Separation: 250ft V/ 0m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Low

The NATS Investigation reports that the pilot reported sighting a drone "directly underneath us now by about 200ft". The aircraft was passing 6100ft at the time 12NM northeast of Heathrow. The pilot stated it "looked to be a pretty big one, a metre in width". Analysis of the radar by Safety Investigations indicated that there were no primary or secondary contacts associated with the drone report visible on radar at the approximate time of the event.

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 safety had been much reduced below the norm to the extent that safety had not been assured.

B

2023231

12 Sep 23

1155

B787

(CAT)

Drone

5129N 00054W

2NM N WOD NDB

FL095

London TMA

(A)

The B787 pilot reports in the climb in VMC when they saw a large black drone ahead which passed directly above the aircraft. TCAS did not alert. ATC were informed at the time and the police on landing.

Reported Separation: 50ft V/0m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Medium

The NATS Group Supervisor reports that a controller notified them that a B787 pilot had reported seeing a large black drone at 9500ft at the reporting point WOD. They notified the relevant ATC personnel and then reported the incident to the police.

NATS Ltd Investigation

The pilot of [B787 C/S] had departed EGLL on a CPT SID and reported to the controller that they had observed a large black drone whilst in the vicinity of WOD. The GS South informed surrounding sectors and Heathrow Tower, subsequently also informing the police.

Analysis of the radar by Safety Investigations indicated that there were no associated primary or secondary contacts associated with the drone report, visible on radar at the approximate time of the event.

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 providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

A