Scrambled Typhoon's Sonic Boom Shakes Homes

Typhoon aircraft from the Royal Air Force's Quick Reaction Alert have been scrambled to intercept a civilian aircraft that was failing to respond to air traffic communications.

The fighter jets took off from their base at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire before being given special permission to light up their afterburners and go supersonic while flying over Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. 

Travelling in excess of 768mph (1236km/h) they intercepted the jet just a few minutes after taking off and escorted it safely to Cardiff Airport. 

The twin engined Bombardier Challenger 300, carrying two crew and one passenger, is understood to have temporarily lost radio contact.

Residents across several counties heard the huge bang as the planes pushed through the sound barrier.

At least 18 sonic booms over the UK have been acknowledged by the MoD in the last 7 years, 15 of which have led to claims for damages to houses, cars and greenhouses.

"It is very rare for accidental supersonic flight during operational training overland, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused when this happens."

Sonic booms occur when the air in front of the nose of the plane builds up a pressure front because it has "nowhere to escape". As the aircraft accelerates past the speed of sound the air escapes in a huge ripple, causing what sounds on the ground like an enormous thunderclap.