Drone came within 20 metres of Airbus A380 approaching Heathrow, investigation reveals

An Airbus A380 comes in through the fog to land at Heathrow Airport
AFP/Getty Images
Sophie Williams18 January 2019

A drone came within 20 metres of an Airbus A380 as it approached Heathrow Airport last year.

The incident, which has been investigated by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB), found that the drone passed along the right side of the aircraft as it was at an altitude of 3,400 feet on July 22 last year.

The UKAB assessed that the drone was being flown in a way which was “endangering other aircraft.”

It comes as details of 18 near misses between aircraft and drones have been revealed.

Another near miss featured an Embraer 190 aircraft at an attitude of 800 feet as it was coming in to land at Glasgow Airport on September 7.

A "shiny white drone" was flown immediately above the plane at just 15-30 metres away.

Four of the near miss incidents investigated by the UKAB were at Heathrow Airport 
PA

The UKAB concluded that a "definite risk of collision had existed".

Four of the near miss incidents investigated by the UKAB were at Heathrow Airport.

An anti-drone system has been placed on top of a commercial vehicle and deployed at the west London airport.

The AUDS (Anti-UAV Defence System) is able to detect, track and ground drones and has been designed to stop them being used for terrorist, espionage or other malicious activities.

Similar equipment has been pictured on the roof of Gatwick's South Terminal.

A Heathrow spokeswoman said: "Heathrow has always worked closely with the Government and Metropolitan Police to monitor and mitigate against threats to the airport, including the irresponsible use of drones.

"In the interests of safety, we do not comment on issues relating to security at the airport."

Assessments of 18 near misses with drones between July and October were included in the UKAB's latest monthly report.

Aviation minister Baroness Sugg said: "The actions of these drone users were not only irresponsible, but illegal.

"The law could not be clearer that this is a criminal offence and anyone endangering others in this way faces imprisonment."

There were 120 near misses between drones and aircraft reported in the year to December 4 2018, up 29 per cent on the total of 93 in the whole of 2017.

Just six incidents were recorded in 2014.

There is growing concern about drones being flown near airports after recent disruption.

Multiple sightings of the gadgets caused flights to be grounded over 36 hours at Gatwick in the run-up to Christmas, while departures at Heathrow were suspended for an hour last week after a drone was spotted.

In a bid to stop a repeat of the problem, an anti-drone system placed on top of a commercial vehicle has been deployed at Heathrow.

The AUDS (Anti-UAV Defence System) is able to detect, track and ground drones and has been designed to stop them being used for terrorist, espionage or other malicious activities.

Similar equipment has been pictured on the roof of Gatwick's South Terminal.

A Heathrow spokeswoman said: "Heathrow has always worked closely with the Government and Metropolitan Police to monitor and mitigate against threats to the airport, including the irresponsible use of drones.

"In the interests of safety, we do not comment on issues relating to security at the airport."

Existing rules for drone users include not flying near airports, staying below 400 feet and flying at least 50 metres away from buildings and people.

Passengers queue while waiting for announcements at Gatwick South Terminal
Getty Images

Last week, the Government announced a package of measures designed to give police extra powers to combat drones.

The exclusion zone around airports will be extended to approximately a 5km-radius (3.1 miles), with additional extensions from runway ends.

Ministers also announced that from November 30, operators of drones weighing between 250g and 20kg will be required to register and take an online drone pilot competency test.