The Boeing 777 was climbing through 5,800 feet over Surrey on June 24 when the pilot spotted a shiny, silver object whipping past in the opposite direction. It cleared the right wing by barely 50 feet. The pilots had almost no time to react, and the aircraft didn't deviate from its path to JFK.
When London Terminal Control Centre (LTCC) asked for a description, the crew called it a "fast-moving, metallic item." Pressed for dimensions, the pilot gave a vivid, domestic comparison: it was roughly the size of four toasters. The object was reflective and silver. The flight continued its eight-hour journey without incident, but the report only just emerged.
The UK Airprox Board, which investigates aircraft proximity incidents, struggled to identify the object due to the speed and altitude. They noted they could not determine if it was a drone or something else. However, the board assigned an A-grade risk rating. This is the highest category on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s safety score. It means a definite risk of collision existed.
The board’s final verdict was stark: "providence had played a major part." No evasive action was taken. No one was injured. The mystery object vanished into the English sky, leaving behind a formal report and a lingering question about what exactly overflights a commercial jetliner at 5,800 feet.