RAF Aircraft Narrowly Misses Colliding With Drone

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A report has shown that an RAF Hercules C-130 came within 200ft of colliding with a drone.

The plane was flying at 253mph, at a height of 500ft, when the near miss happened over the Peak District, near the village of Hathersage, Derbyshire.

An Airprox report said that the weather conditions were good, only slightly compromised due to low lying sun.

The crew identified the object assuming it was a bird, but they soon realised that the object was in fact stationary, suggesting a collision course. 

The aircraft was then forced to manoeuvre to the right and change course.

The crew were so close to the drone that they could reportedly see the individual blades in detail.

The incident took place last year on 29th November and the drone operator could not be traced.

With a top speed of 374mph, Hercules aircraft are based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, and are mainly used to transport troops, passengers and cargo.