British Airways Airbus A320 narrowly avoids mid-air collision with drone over London

Investigators found a single radar return about 0.2 nautical miles ahead of the A320 at around 9,200 feet during the time of the encounter. However, no clear track resembling a drone was detected by radar—a common limitation when dealing with small unmanned aerial systems in busy urban airspace.

The UK Airprox Board noted that while pilot reports suggested it was likely a drone operating illegally at high altitude, there remains uncertainty about what exactly was encountered. Such incidents are difficult to fully investigate because most consumer drones lack transponders or strong radar signatures.

This near-miss is part of a series of similar incidents involving British Airways flights in recent years. In January 2024, another British Airways Airbus A321 came within five feet of a drone while approaching London-Heathrow from Athens at approximately 9,500 feet. In October 2020, yet another A321 nearly collided with an unidentified drone climbing out from Heathrow at around 3,000 feet.

Authorities have been unable to determine who operated these drones or where they originated from. The frequency and proximity of these events highlight ongoing risks posed by unauthorized drones operating in controlled airspace around major airports like Heathrow.

“What is certain is that these operations pose a significant threat to aviation safety,” according to officials cited in reports on previous incidents. “With no radar tracking or communication, coupled with the high traffic in London's airspace, heavier enforcement is required to ensure that these drones do not cause a catastrophe.”

The Airbus A320 involved has an ICAO code of A320 and typically carries between 150–180 passengers with two crew members onboard. Over four thousand units have been built since its first flight in February 1987.