Police are investigating a suspected incident of a drone hitting a British Airways aircraft as it was about to land at Heathrow.
The Airbus A320, which was carrying 137 passengers and crew on a flight from Geneva, was struck by an object as it was approaching Heathrow on Sunday (April 17) at around 12.50.
Despite the collision, the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely at Heathrow and later reported that he thought a drone had struck the front of the Airbus.
A BA spokesman said: “Our aircraft landed safely, was fully examined by our engineers and it was cleared to operate its next flight.
“Safety and security are always our first priority and we will give the police every assistance with their investigation.”
London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is investigating the incident – if a drone was involved, then it would be the first time that one of these unmanned aircraft has hit a commercial flight in the UK.
Police believe that the incident occurred over the Richmond area, close to Richmond Park, in south-west London. Officers have searched the area for suspects and debris but nothing has been found so far.
Chief superintendent Martin Hendy, head of the MPS's Aviation Policing command, said: “Thankfully the aircraft landed safely but the incident highlights the very real dangers of reckless, negligent and some times malicious use of drones.
“We continue to work with the Civil Aviation Authority and other partners to tackle this issue and ensure that enthusiasts who fly drones understand the dangers and the law.
“One of the challenges is to ensure people realise what is legitimate and what is illegal. The message is do not fly them anywhere near airports or flight paths, or over crowded places such as football and other stadiums. The potential is there for a major incident.”
The CAA said it was “totally unacceptable to fly drones close to airports and anyone flouting the rules can face severe penalties including imprisonment”.
“Safety is our first priority. Anyone operating a drone must do so responsibly and observe all relevant rules and regulations. The rules for flying drones are designed to keep all airspace users safe.”
The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) said such an incident was “only a matter of time given the huge numbers [of drones] being flown by amateurs who don't understand the risks and the rules”.
“Clearly there is a need for much more education of drone users and enforcement of the rules to ensure our skies remain safe from this threat,” added BALPA.