A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner nearly collided with a drone shortly after take-off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The tragedy took place on September 12, but only came to light today (29th). The plane was heading to New York.
According to the information of the British newspaper DailymailThe Boeing 787 was traveling at 330 mph (532 km/h) and took off in just 5 minutes when the drone was spotted at an altitude of 2,890 meters (9,500 ft) north of Woodley.
Based on this unusual fact, experts said, the drone was 23 times the height allowed in the United Kingdom, which is a limit of 122 meters.
It is believed that the drone may have made illegal modifications to fly at higher altitudes, including opening the aircraft to fly over restricted areas, particularly airports.
After spotting the crew, local police were called by air traffic controllers, but no one was detained. The report notes that the pilot “saw a large black drone above the aircraft and visibility was good.”
Check out part of the report:
“According to the defense investigation, the height and/or profile of the object was sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone, and considered that the pilot's public account depicted a situation where caution played a role in the incident. There was a definite risk of incident and/or collision”.
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With information: Dailymail
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Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.