NEAR MISS
Moment drone flies into the airspace of an easyJet plane coming into land at Liverpool Airport
The passenger jet was filmed in the minutes after its close call
THE moments after a drone flew into the airspace of an easyJet plane coming into land at Liverpool Airport have reportedly been captured on camera.
Shocking footage appears to show the passenger jet in the minutes after it came within a few hundred yards of the drone mid-air.
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In the clip the pilot is said to tell air traffic control: “We just passed a drone, well it was close enough to see.
“Small drone about two minutes ago. On our left, just to our left, a few hundred metres, there was a white drone about DJI Phantom size at the same altitude we were.”
The plane, an Airbus A319, was within five miles of the airport, the reports.
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It looks to be flying above residential areas at around the time the incident is said to have occurred.
In December last year it was revealed Brits who fly drones near airports could face jail.
Ministers vowed to bring in a new law after a spate of devastating near misses between the hi-tech kit and commercial airliners.
Transport officials want to tackle legal grey areas on drones which can be bought for as little as £12.99 and have become hugely popular over the last few years.
Last year there were 59 cases involving drones and aircraft.
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The passenger plane was coming in to land at Birmingham Airport when the pilot spotted it, the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said.
He reported that the drone was hovering above a primary school at the same altitude as his DH8 turboprop aircraft as he was approaching the airport on September 7 last year.
The distance between it and the drone was thought to be about 500 metres so the aircraft continued on its flightpath to the airport, despite the close call.
An easyJet spokesman said: “EasyJet can confirm that the pilot of flight EZY7084 from Lisbon to Liverpool on 5 February 2017 reported seeing a drone a few hundred meters away whilst on approach to Liverpool Airport.
"As per standard procedure the pilot reported the incident. There was no threat to the safety of the aircraft at any time and the aircraft landed normally.
“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority.
“EasyJet recognises the growing popularity of drones and therefore welcomes efforts by EASA, the CAA and other regulators across Europe, which govern regulation in this area, to ensure that the correct measures and regulations are put in place to ensure that aviation remains safe."
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