Monthly meeting June 2023

2022266

PA28 (Civ FW)

Europa (Civ FW)

Lee on Solent ATZ (G)

C

2022268

PA28 (Civ FW)

Skyranger (Civ FW)

Scottish FIR (G)

B

2022271

SF25 (Civ FW)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

C

2022272

TB10 (Civ FW)

C152 (Civ FW)

Coventry ATZ (G)

C

2022273

PA28 (Civ FW)

C152 (Civ FW)

Compton Abbas (G)

C

2022274

EC135 (Civ Comm)

PA28 (Civ FW)

Gloucestershire ATZ (G)

B

Recommendation: Gloucestershire aerodrome operator reviews and clarifies the published standard helicopter departure.

2022275

Ultra TD-2 UAS (Civ UAS)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

C

2022277

Cabri G2 (Civ Helo)

PA28 (Civ FW)

Leicester ATZ (G)

C

2022278

A220 (CAT)

EC155 (Civ Comm)

London City CTR (D)

E

2023003

C152 (Civ FW)

PA28 (Civ FW)

Fairoaks ATZ (G)

B

2023004

Cessna Caravan (Civ Comm)

Extra 200 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023006

C152 (Civ FW)

C340 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

C

2023007

Pioneer 300 (Civ FW)

RV8 (Civ FW)

Scottish FIR (G)

D

2023008

A109 (Civ Comm)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

B

2023009

ASK21 (Civ Gld)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

C

2023010

PA28 (Civ FW)

Bristell NG5 (Civ FW)

Nottingham ATZ (G)

C

2023011

EC135 (HEMS)

DJI M210 (Civ UAS)

London FIR (G)

B

0

2023074

13 May 23

1236

B737

(CAT)

Drone

5328N 00203W

1NM N Hyde

3500ft

Manchester

TMA

(A)

The B737 pilot reports that at 10.7 DME RW23R Manchester and at approximately 3700ft, the captain (PM) noticed an object reflecting the sun to the left of the aircraft. The FO (PF) also observed the object on indication from the captain. As the object passed, they agreed that it was a large black coloured drone with no lighting. This occurred during a read back to ATC and caused a distraction and spike in workload. The report of the drone and its position was relayed to ATC. ATC relayed the information [to the pilot of the aircraft behind]. The flight concluded with an otherwise uneventful approach and landing. Before handover to the next frequency the controller advised that the police would be informed.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/300ft 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, 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

2023078

3 May 23

1800

Chinook

(HQ JHC)

Drone

5130N 00003W

Rotherhithe

1100ft

London CTR

(D)

The Chinook pilot reports that an Airprox was reported by a passenger, an experienced aviator, during the debrief. The Chinook was returning to base on Helicopter Route H4. The passenger was at the rear of the cabin, owing to poor into-sun visibility and haze from the cockpit. They were cleared to not above 1300ft on the Heathrow QNH and the minimum was 1000ft in that section. The passenger reported that a quadcopter of 50cm-1m size passed 30ft below and 30ft to the left of the aircraft. They reported seeing a flash of red colouring. It was not clear whether the drone was stationary or moving. No other member of the operating crew saw the UAS. Heathrow Radar had made no mention of UAS ops. After the debrief, the mission file was checked for NOTAMs, none referring to UAS operations were present.

Reported Separation: 30ft V/30ft H

Reported Risk of Collision: High

In the Board’s opinion the description of the object was 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

2023080

17 May 23

1040

Falcon 20

(Civ Comm)

Unk obj

5434N 00120W

Stockton-on-Tees

1700ft AGL

Teesside CTR

(D)

The Falcon 20 pilot reports that they were PF in the LHS and [part of a two aircraft formation] cleared by Teesside ATC for a left-hand 'run-in and break' to RW23. [They were on the rightmost side of the pair] and on the RW23 extended centreline, descending to 1500ft. Whilst descending past 1700ft and at a range of 4.8NM from Teesside, they observed a black drone pass co-altitude down the left-hand side of [the other formation aircraft]. The range was estimated to be about 50ft. The formation landed without incident and the drone sighting was reported to ATC.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/50ft H

Reported Risk of Collision: High

In the Board’s opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object, combined with the absence of any indication of a drone’s presence from drone detection data, were such that they were unable to determine the nature of the unknown object.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 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

2023084

18 May 23

1816

B737

(CAT)

Drone

5326N 00206W

8NM NE Manchester

2400ft

Manchester CTR

(D)

The B737 pilot reports that they were configured at F5 and at F5 speed, fully established on ILS approach to RW23R at MAN. At 8.4 ILS DME, both pilots saw an object moving towards the aircraft close to them, on the starboard side. As it passed, it was clearly identifiable as a drone. It was blue in colour, disc shaped and approx. 1ft diameter. It passed by at the same level, travelling in a reciprocal direction. Both pilots estimate at the closest point, the drone was approx. 50ft laterally displaced from the flight deck. The Tower was informed immediately. They continued to uneventful landing. ATC reported the incident immediately to the police.

Reported Separation: 0ft V/ 50ft 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, 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

2023085

20 May 23

1002

EuroFox

(Civ FW)

Drone

5134N 00253W

2.5NM E Newport

2600ft

London FIR

(G)

The EuroFox pilot reports they were on a VFR flight. The weather was fine, with a little haze, but good visibility. They were flying straight and level at 2800ft close to the M4 junction 24, almost exactly at reporting point LEKCI when what they assume had to be a drone appeared out of nowhere and flew over the port wing, close to the main body of the aircraft, with approximately 15ft vertical and hardly any horizontal separation. The object was black, round or slightly elliptical, approx. 50cm diameter and made a whirring or whooshing noise. It had passed before they were properly aware what was happening and constituted a very near miss. They were totally shocked because they realised that had this object flown just a tiny bit closer, they would probably not be here to file this report. They were monitoring [their EC equipment] at the time with the audio warning turned on, but there was no sign of this object on the screen and no warning was issued. They reported the incident to Bristol Radar at the time who acknowledged the call.

Reported Separation: 15ft V / 1m H

Reported Risk of Collision: High

The Bristol controller reports that the pilot of the Eurofox reported a drone 30ft above them at the M4 junction. No further action was taken by ATC. They assumed the pilot would report the Airprox when on the ground. ATC workload was moderate to high and there was insufficient time to take any further details.

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, 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