British Airways plane encounters drone ‘the size of four toasters’ after Heathrow take-off

A British Airways plane encountered a drone “the size of four toasters” after taking-off from Heathrow Airport, air safety officials have revealed.

The New York City-bound flight had only recently departed London Heathrow Airport on June 24 when it encountered the drone.

The pilot told Air Traffic Control that a drone had flown in the opposite direction about 50 feet above the plane’s right wing at 12.08pm.

The plane didn’t have to take any action to avoid the drone, a British Airways spokesman said.

The drone flew straight past the aircraft and the Boeing 777 arrived at its destination as planned.

The UK Aiprox Board said in its monthly report of close encounters that the plane was 6,000ft in the air when the “shiny, silver object” whizzed past.

“They said it was moving very fast, was probably of silver colour, metallic and reflective,” the report said.

“After an enquiry as to its size, the [pilot] reported to them that it was about the ‘size of four toasters’.”

A spokesperson for British Airways said: “We take matters such as these extremely seriously, and our pilots report these incidents so authorities can investigate them and take appropriate action.”