British Airways jet, USA News (London): A British Airways flight carrying more than 250 passengers bound for New York experienced a close encounter with a mysterious object shortly after departing from Heathrow Airport.
The pilot contacted air traffic control after a shiny silver object, described as roughly the size of four toasters, flew past the aircraft in the opposite direction. The bizarre incident occurred at an altitude of 5,800 feet over Guildford, Surrey, on June 24. According to reports, the object came very close to the right wing, hovering approximately 50 feet above it.
Passengers onboard completed their journey and landed safely in New York. Following the event, the UK Airprox Board initiated an official probe into the occurrence.
Official Investigation Details
The UK Airprox Board report detailed the sequence of events as recounted by the flight crew. The Boeing 777 pilot stated they were climbing to an altitude of 6,000 feet upon departure from London Heathrow when the encounter took place.
“Passing 5800ft, a shiny silver object passed in the opposite direction, very fast and very close to the right wing of the aircraft at no more than 50ft above aircraft altitude,” the report noted. Additionally, the London Terminal Control Centre controller documented that the pilot initially suspected a fast-moving, reflective, metallic drone had passed over the right wing.
When queried about dimensions, the pilot estimated the object was comparable to the size of four toasters. Despite the accounts, the Board stated that the reported altitude and description left them unable to definitively determine the exact nature of the unknown object, concluding that providence played a major part in preventing a collision and that a definite risk existed.
