An unidentified object, believed to be a drone, reportedly figured in a "near miss" with an Airbus A320 passenger jet about to land at London Heathrow earlier this year.
"The pilot spotted a 'rectangular and propeller-driven' machine as he descended the 150-seater jet to 1,700 ft.," a report by the Daily Express said.
According to a UK Airprox Board report into the incident, "the black object appeared in the direction of the approach path" prior to the passenger jet's touch down at London Heathrow after 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 15. The object reportedly came to within 50 ft. of the landing aircraft.
"It was clear that the A320 pilot had been concerned by its proximity and the consequent safety of his aircraft," the report added.
The operator of the said object was reportedly never found.
The reported near miss is the second in London's busiest airport in less than a year and the fourth in the entire country.
"Aviation experts have warned drones could cause 'catastrophic damage' if they collide with planes," The London Evening Standard said.
Small unmanned drones have become popular over the past few years. The Daily Express reported that over 500 permits were granted to drone users this year alone as high street store Maplin recorded 10,000 units sold last year.
Drones are used professionally in filmmaking and surveillance among others. Although they are widely viewed as playthings, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) classifies them as aircraft and provides strict guidelines for their operation.
As per the rules, drones should not come within 150m of built-up areas or crowds of more than 1,000 people or within 50m of any vessel - including aircraft - not within the user's control. It also requires users to "maintain direct, unaided visual contact" of the drone at all times.
The CAA told The Times that users should "take responsibility of their actions" which include "measures to avoid collisions."
"Anyone breaching the safety rules can be prosecuted."
