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BA Flight Encounters Drone Near Heathrow

BA Flight Encounters Drone Near Heathrow

First seen 25 Oct 2026, 21:11 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 26, 2026 at 08:11 UTC
  • •A British Airways flight encountered a drone shortly after takeoff from Heathrow.
  • •The drone was reported to be moving very fast and was classified as an unknown object.
  • •The UK Airprox Board rated the incident as an A-grade risk, indicating a serious potential for collision.

A British Airways flight narrowly avoided a drone described as 'the size of four toasters' shortly after takeoff from Heathrow Airport on June 24. The incident occurred at 12:08 PM when the drone flew 50 feet above the aircraft's right wing at an altitude of 6,000 feet. The pilot reported the encounter to air traffic control, but no evasive action was necessary, and the flight continued to its destination without incident. The UK Airprox Board classified the object as an unknown entity and rated the incident as an A-grade risk, indicating a potential for catastrophic outcomes. British Airways emphasized the seriousness of such incidents and the importance of reporting them to authorities for investigation. This year, nearly 90 UFO sightings have been recorded in the UK, with many attributed to misidentified objects. The Ministry of Defence previously operated a UFO desk, which was closed in 2009 due to budget cuts.

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Timeline

2026-06-24
Drone encounter reported
A British Airways flight reported a drone flying 50 feet above its right wing shortly after takeoff from Heathrow.
Metro
2026-06-24
UK Airprox Board assessment
The UK Airprox Board classified the incident as an A-grade risk, noting the drone's unknown status and potential for collision.
Independent

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Common questions

What was the size of the drone?
The drone was reported to be the size of four toasters.
Did the flight take any evasive action?
No, the pilot did not need to take any action to avoid the drone.
What is the significance of the A-grade risk classification?
An A-grade risk indicates a serious potential for catastrophic outcomes, according to the UK Airprox Board.