Explosives that became detached from 2 drones that collided with flight US132 were found in Essex after U.S Airways flight came to an emergency landing in the Thames river. Met Police have arrested 2 suspects on possession of explosive devices.
November 23. 2021, at 2.30pm, U.S airways Flight 132 ditch landed on the Thames river, extraordinarily landing 42 passengers and 6 members of flight crew safely. Metropolitan Police revealed the incident which caused the engine failure, was due to a foiled pipebomb attack attached to a drone by an alleged environmentalist group called ‘Mersea pathfinders’.
According to Purfleet Military Centre, during plane evacuation:
“[We] can’t believe everyone got out alive!”, after the miraculous landing of the Airbus A320 by a courageous U.S Airways pilot who acted quickly to save all lives onboard.
Just after 4.00pm EST, the evacuation operation had successfully come to a conclusion, with all passengers safely accounted for.
British Transport Police investigated reports U.S Airways flight 132 had come to a ditch landing after earlier reports suggested a birdstrike had caused engines to fail.
After further investigation, it was declared an incident involving two drones 1.5 km east of London City Airport in Essex.
According to AAIB, the drone debris that was found in the engine of flight US132 had remnants that matched material found on the non-viable pipebomb which had detached from the drone. The explosive devices were found in Abbot’s Farm Nature Reserve in Essex, spotted by a local birdwatcher.
Metropolitan Police also spoke to the press to request any information from the public after it is believed the suspected drone operators were operating from Gallions Hill.