Aircraft Nearly Hit by Quadrocopter UAV

Aircraft Nearly Hit by Quadrocopter UAV

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Drones might risk commercial aircraft while flying nearby.

Lufthansa Airline company confirmed an incident involving a near-miss between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, and a Lufthansa Airbus A321 on approach to Munich Airport.

The company spokesperson told ATWonline that a disorder involving one of their aircraft and an object occured when on approach to Munich. Nothing happened, however, an investigation has been underway.

The Lufthansa A321 was operating as scheduled service flight between Frankfurt and Munich with 108 passengers and six crew on board.

According to a statement from the Upper Bavaria Police Department-North, the pilot realized the UAV was near the aircraft on approach, descending through flight level 1,700 m. A so-called quadrocopter drone passed the A321at same height—about 10 m off the right-hand wing tip. The aircraft landed safely, with no injuries or damage.

Drone regulation has become an increasingly pressing issue for regulators worldwide as incidents increase, creating potentially dangerous situations. There have been an increasing number of UAV sightings by flight deck crews, particularly on the approaches to airports, and there are concerns the ingestion of a drone into an engine at a critical moment could pose a serious safety hazard.

EASA – the European Aviation Safety Agency – earlier this year created a task force to assess collision risks posted by small, unmanned UAVs to commercial aircraft.