Full Breakdown
British Airways Flight Encounters Unidentified Object Near Heathrow
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On June 24, a British Airways Boeing 777 bound for New York City departed London Heathrow and, shortly after take-off, the pilot reported a “drone” flying opposite the aircraft about 50 feet above the right wing. The object, described by the pilot as a “shiny, silver” item “the size of four toasters,” passed the plane at roughly 6,000 ft altitude while the aircraft was over farmland a mile southeast of the village of Burntcommon. No evasive maneuver was required and the flight continued to its destination as scheduled.
Investigation Findings
The UK Airprox Board, which investigates aircraft proximity incidents, classified the encounter as an A-grade risk—the highest category in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s safety scoring system, indicating potential for catastrophic outcomes. After reviewing the report, the Board concluded there was no risk of collision and labeled the object an unknown object (unk obj) because its altitude and description did not match any known aircraft or drone.
Official Responses
British Airways said it takes such incidents extremely seriously and that pilots are required to report them so authorities can investigate. The Airprox Board’s monthly report noted the object’s rapid movement and metallic appearance, emphasizing that providence had played a major part in avoiding a collision.
Broader UFO Context
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) operated a dedicated UFO desk until 2009, when budget cuts led to its closure. Former civil servant Nick Pope, who worked on the desk in the 1990s, estimated that about 80 % of sightings are misidentified, 15 % lack sufficient data, and 5 % remain unknown—without implying an extraterrestrial origin.
Significance and Outlook
While the incident did not endanger passengers, its classification as an A-grade risk highlights gaps in monitoring low-altitude aerial objects near busy airports. The Airprox Board’s findings and BA’s commitment to reporting may inform future safety protocols, especially as unidentified aerial phenomena continue to be reported across the United Kingdom.
