Unidentified flying objects and mysterious sightings have long been a hot topic, but they have rarely led to any definitive answers.
Be it official footage released by the Pentagon where U.S. Navy jets intercept UFOs flying dangerously fast over the sea, or rumors about UFO sightings around popular airports, most incidents remain unresolved.
A new report has now emerged from the United Kingdom, where a commercial airline pilot said he spotted an unidentified object while making his final approach to London’s Gatwick Airport in April.
The object reportedly passed within 100 to 300 feet of the Airbus A319, prompting safety concerns over how close the encounter came to a potentially dangerous midair collision.
Pilot Reports Flying Saucer
According to The Sun, the pilot of the airliner reported seeing a flying saucer near the aircraft as it was about to land, while the crew of the airplane told investigators that they saw a drone, and since it was so close, they could see its propellers and markings.
The differing descriptions have raised questions about exactly what the crew encountered. Investigators at the UK Airprox Board mentioned in their report that the pilot witnessed the flying saucer flying in the opposite direction. The report stated:
“The A319 pilot reports that descending, turning left, a disc or ‘flying saucer’ type suspected drone was seen flying very close in the opposite direction, at the same level to them, past their right wing.
“Approximately 100-300ft from their aircraft wing. The object looked like a disc with darker markings on the rim, a suspected possible drone but not sure.
“It was very close to the aircraft, but no evasive action was required as they were in a turn already.”
The board concluded that the safety of the aircraft was “reduced.”
Second Drone Incident at Heathrow
Investigators revealed that a second drone incident took place at London’s busy Heathrow Airport in the same month, this time with an Airbus A321. The pilot said he was clearly able to see the drone and its components since it was quite close to the aircraft.
The Airprox Board revealed the following after an investigation:
“The A321 pilot reports that, whilst in a left turn on to base leg at LHR (over Marlow), a drone was witnessed to fly down the left-hand-side of the aircraft at close enough proximity to see details such as the colour, shape and individual props spinning.”
While the pilot in the Heathrow incident identified the object as a drone, the pilot involved in the Gatwick encounter described it as a flying saucer.
Regardless of what the objects were, both incidents highlight the risks posed by unidentified objects operating near commercial aircraft, highlighting the need for authorities to investigate such close encounters and address potential threats to aviation safety.