EasyJet jet skims past suspected drone by just 16 feet over Sussex
Hair-raising near-miss at 5,000 feet
An EasyJet Airbus A320 narrowly dodged a suspected drone, missing it by a mere 16 feet while roaring through the skies above Sussex at over 300mph. The close call happened just three minutes after takeoff from Gatwick Airport at 5,000 feet, an official report revealed.
Pilot initially thought it was a bird
The UK Airprox Board, which investigates near collisions, disclosed that the flight crew first mistook the object for a bird. But the pilot later described it as silver and “not a bird,” raising suspicions it was an illegally flown drone.
EasyJet and air traffic services react
EasyJet said: “Safety is always our highest priority. Our crew followed all standard procedures and kept the flight safe at all times. We fully support any investigation.” Meanwhile, National Air Traffic Services (NATS) confirmed the pilot’s report of a suspected drone near Gatwick but said radar showed no other contacts at the time.
Lucky escape but mystery remains
The UK Airprox Board concluded that sheer luck prevented a collision but could not identify the object. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks drones pose to passenger flights.
