Monthly meeting December 2024

2024140

AS355 (Civ Comm)

Matrice 300 (Civ UAS)

RA(T) (D)

B

2024143

Falcon (Civ Comm)

AC95 (Civ Comm)

London FIR (G)

C

2024144

DA40 (Civ FW)

Ventus (Civ Gld)

London FIR (G)

E

2024145

PA22 (Civ FW)

Tiger Moth (Civ FW)

Compton Abbas ATZ (G)

B

2024146

LS6 (Civ Gld)

PA31 (Civ FW)

Odiham MATZ (G)

C

2024147

Paraglider (Civ Hang)

A109 (Civ Comm)

London FIR (G)

C

2024150

Eclipse 500 (Civ Comm)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

E

2024151

Eclipse 500 (Civ Comm)

AC114 (Civ FW)

Blackbushe ATZ (G)

E

2024152

MT03 (Civ Helo (Autogyro))

RV6 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

C

2024153

ASK21 (Civ Gld)

P2006 (Civ Comm)

London FIR (G)

C

2024154

A109 (Civ Comm)

PA28 (Civ Gld)

London FIR (G)

C

2024156

RPAS (Civ UAS)

H125 (Civ Comm)

London FIR (G)

C

2024160

C182 (Civ FW)

RV6 (Civ FW)

Sleap ATZ (G)

B

2024161

ACA Scout (Civ FW)

RV8 (Civ FW)

Compton Abbas ATZ (G)

D

2024163

Chipmunk (Civ FW)

PA28 (Civ FW)

London FIR (G)

C

0

2024266

23 Oct 24

1647

A320

(CAT)

Drone

5131N 00057W

5NM N Reading

5000ft

London TMA

(A)

The A320 pilot reports that they were rolling out of a left turn on a base leg for RW09R at Heathrow. Approximately 16NM west of the threshold, 2NM north of the extended centreline and circa 5000ft, two drones were spotted passing down the right side of their aircraft at the same level. One large ‘quad’ drone, which seemed to have something attached underneath, and another smaller drone in close proximity. They were only visible for less than 2sec before passing behind their aircraft.

Reported Separation: NR

Reported Risk of Collision: NR

The Swanwick TC controller reports that [the pilot of the A320], inbound to Heathrow, reported two drones at 5000ft, north of a 16NM final. Heathrow Tower was informed.

NATS Safety Investigations reports that the FIN controller passed details of the sighting onto subsequent pilots and Heathrow Tower was informed. There were no further reports.

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.

UKAB Secretariat notes that a primary-only return was observed for one radar sweep at 1646:59 approximately 16NM west of the runway on the NATS radar replay.

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 although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision.

C

2024267

31 Oct 24

1811

EMB190

(CAT)

Unk Obj

5134N 00000E

4NM NW of LCY Airport

3000ft

London TMA

(A)

The EMB190 pilot reports that on departure from LCY RW27 on the BPK1A departure, level at 3000ft at approximately 1810, the crew observed a suspected drone fly past extremely close to the aircraft. The crew noticed lights on the object as it flew past. Proximity was close enough to make both crew instinctively flinch. Estimated distance only around 10-15ft from the aircraft.

Reported Separation: 10ft V/15m H

Reported Risk of Collision: Medium

The Thames Radar Controller reports that on departure from LCY RW27, the EMB190 pilot reported a drone at altitude 3000ft 4NM northwest of London City Airport. Tower [was] advised and [the incident was] reported to the police.

NATS Safety Investigation reports that 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 such that they were unable to determine the nature of the unknown object.

Applicable Contributory Factors: 4, 6

Risk: The Board considered that providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.

A

2024271

2 Nov 24

1457

B787

(CAT)

Drone

5128N 00024W

IVO Heathrow

1600ft

London CTR

(D)

The B787 pilot reports that on a Brookmans Park 6J SID after the initial turn, passing 1600ft, a drone was seen passing to the left of the aircraft. The drone was black in colour with turquoise markings and close enough to identify the four corner props. They did not require to manoeuvre to avoid, however, had they made the initial turn a couple of seconds earlier, then the separation distance would have been significantly reduced.

Reported Separation: NR

Reported Risk of Collision: NR

The Heathrow controller reports that the B787 pilot reported a drone after departure RW09R. The aircraft reported a blue/black drone at approximately 1600-1700ft on departure 09R. The pilot reported the drone was approximately 1.5NM east of the 09R departure runway end transiting south/southwest. The controller informed the Tower Supervisor who undertook the necessary coordination and did not clear any further aircraft for takeoff until the Supervisor confirmed it was safe to do so. No drone was observed from the VCR.

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 although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision.

C