Concerns Over Incidents Involving Apaches Above Essex Village

The Apache is designed to hunt and destroy tanks (Picture: MOD).

Concerns have been raised after two Army Apache helicopters flew close to two small light aircraft over the same village in Essex within a matter of weeks.

In a report released by the UK Airprox Board, investigators said there had been similar incidents before and urged the Apache Helicopter Force to "take note of this".

The recommendation came after an investigation into two incidents involving Apaches flying over Birch, near Colchester.

Radar records of the first incident on 7 August 2018 revealed an Apache came within 400 feet of a light aircraft, although the Army pilot claimed it was within 100 feet. 

The report into the second incident on 26 September 2018 found an Apache and another light aircraft passed within 200 feet of each other. 

It said there was "no risk of collision" in either incident. 

An Army spokesperson said: "The Army Air Corps takes all reported air incidents very seriously, with air safety remaining at the core of all our activity."

The report also recommended Apache pilots fly at a "different height" in the area.

It said the height the Apache pilots were flying at (between 1,000 and 2,000 feet) is often used by light aircraft.

The Apaches involved in the incidents are based at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk, home to 3 and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps.

The helicopter, which entered service with the British Army in 2001, is designed to hunt and destroy tanks and has been used in overseas combat missions like Afghanistan.