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Gatwick Airport UFO sighting prompts safety investigation
A commercial A319 pilot reported seeing a disc‑shaped object, described as a “flying saucer”, pass within 30‑90 m of the aircraft’s right wing while descending toward Gatwick Airport in April 2026. The pilot estimated the object’s size and dark‑rim markings but could not identify it; no evasive maneuver was required because the plane was already in a turn.
A second incident involving an A321 on approach to Heathrow reported a similar close‑range drone‑like sighting. The UK Airprox Board (UKAB) opened an investigation, noting that radar records showed no trace of the object. The board also cited two unrelated sightings over the North Sea near Norfolk, including one by a tanker crew and another by a Typhoon fighter pilot. The UKAB classified the Gatwick event as a C‑level risk, indicating a reduction in normal safety margins but no collision danger.
The investigation remains open, with authorities warning other aircraft to remain vigilant in the area while the object's nature—drone, balloon, or other aerial vehicle—remains undetermined.
Entities
A319 aircraft · Airbus A319 · Gatwick Airport · Heathrow Airport · North Sea · UK Airprox Board
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The object was estimated to be 30‑90 m (100‑300 ft) from the aircraft wing and had darker markings on its rim. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] A pilot of an Airbus A319 reported seeing a disc‑shaped object near Gatwick Airport while descending and turning left for landing. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The UK Airprox Board is investigating all reported sightings to determine whether the objects were drones or other unidentified aerial phenomena. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two pilots reported possible UFOs over the North Sea near Norfolk in February, including a crew member of the tanker Voyager and a Typhoon fighter pilot. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The incidents occurred in April 2026 (Gatwick) and earlier months (Heathrow, North Sea). www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] No evasive maneuver was required because the aircraft was already in a turn. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] A pilot of an Airbus A321 reported a similar drone sighting while approaching Heathrow Airport. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The UK Airprox Board concluded that the unidentified object reduced the safety of the jet. www.adnkronos.com · brobible.com · www.spotandweb.it