UK pilot spots mysterious 'flying saucer' just 100 feet from passenger plane near Gatwick Airport; officials say the near miss reduced the aircraft's safety
How did a pilot spot the 'flying saucer' near Gatwick Airport? Officials consider it a safety concern Investigators identify the object What is the UK
How did a pilot spot the 'flying saucer' near Gatwick Airport? Officials consider it a safety concern Investigators identify the object What is the UK Airprox Board? Why has the incident attracted so much attention? A commercial airline pilot in the UK reported seeing a mysterious disc-shaped object pass alarmingly close to a passenger aircraft while approaching London Gatwick Airport, triggering an official aviation safety investigation. The incident took place on 29 April 2026 but only came to wider public attention after the UK Airprox Board published its report. According to investigators, the unidentified object flew within around 100 feet of an Airbus A319 at an altitude of about 8,500 feet, close enough for the board to conclude that the aircraft's safety had been reduced, although there was no actual risk of collision. Despite reviewing radar data and other available evidence, officials were unable to determine exactly what the object was.The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on 29 April 2026 as an Airbus A319 operating a commercial passenger flight was descending towards London Gatwick Airport. While flying over the Sussex countryside near the village of Hangcross, about seven miles south of Gatwick, the pilot noticed an unusual object approaching from the opposite direction at roughly the same altitude.
The object passed very close to the aircraft's right wing while the plane was already turning as part of its landing approach.According to the pilot's report submitted to the UK Airprox Board, the object appeared to be a disc or "flying saucer"-type suspected drone with darker markings around its rim. Although the pilot believed it could possibly have been a drone, they were unable to identify it with certainty. The object was reported to have passed within around 100 feet of the aircraft. No evasive action was required because the aircraft was already in a turn, but the sighting was considered significant enough to warrant a formal investigation.The UK Airprox Board investigates incidents in which aircraft come dangerously close to other aircraft, drones or unidentified objects that may pose a risk to aviation safety. In this case, investigators concluded that although there had been no actual risk of collision, the proximity of the unidentified object meant that the safety of the aircraft had been reduced. The Airbus was carrying out a routine commercial flight into one of the UK's busiest airports, making any unidentified object in its flight path a serious matter.Following the pilot's report, investigators reviewed radar information and checked whether any authorised drones or other known aircraft matched the sighting.
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