By: Yasmin Smith
On December 5th, 2024, the Special Operations Unit held a press conference on the Air Accidents Investigation Branch’s investigation of the U.S Airways flight US132 and it’s forced emergency landing on the River Thames on November 21st, 2024.
On November 21, 2024, at 2:30pm a report came that the U.S Airways flight US132 was forced to carry out an Emergency landing on the River Thames near Purfleet, Essex after both engines were disabled by a collision with a drone. The incident, which initially appeared to be a routine mechanical failure, has now been confirmed to be the result of a deliberate attack involving a drone. The investigation, led by the Special Operations Unit in cooperation with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Essex Police and the UK military, has revealed new details suggesting a serious threat to aviation safety.
The flight, en route to London, experienced a malfunction when drone fragments were found embedded in the aircraft’s engine cowling. The debris caused an electrical short circuit that led to small fires, which were promptly extinguished. The aircraft was forced to land on the river, but all crew and passengers were evacuated safely, with only minor injuries reported. The drone fragments that had been discovered matched with commercial drone devices available on Amazon and other retail websites, raising concerns about unlawful drone activity near airports.
Further evidence suggests the incident may have been a targeted attack. A birdwatcher discovered an undetonated improvised explosive device at Abbots Farm Nature Reserve in Essex, with a second IED being found near Lookout Hill, Thamesmead, 1.72km from London City Airport. These devices were made from copper piping purchased from a Wickes store in Braintree, Essex, and contained adhesive tape matching remnants found in the aircraft’s engine. Although they were deemed non-viable by bomb disposal experts, both devices were destroyed in a controlled explosion at sea.
At 2:30pm on the day of the incident, Essex Police received a telephone warning from a group calling itself the “Mersea Pathfinders,” known for protesting flight paths over natural areas in Essex and Kent. Authorities are investigating their possible connection to the drone strikes and IEDs.
The investigation is now primarily focused on identifying those responsible for the construction and deployment of these devices. Possession of explosives and electronic equipment intended to endanger aircraft safety is a serious criminal offense, carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
In response, security agencies and the UK Civil Aviation Authority are reviewing airport security measures, including drone-detection systems in north-east Essex, north Kent, and south Suffolk. The public is reminded that drone use near airports is strictly regulated under the CAA Air Navigation Order 2016, with violators subject to facing severe penalties.
Authorities continue to appeal for witnesses who may have seen suspicious activity near Gallions Hill, Lookout Hill, or Abbots Farm on November 21, 2024.
For more information on drone regulations, visit the CAA website or download the Drone Assist App.
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