Incident Overview
On July 14, 2016, at 18:38 UTC, an Airbus A320-214 registered as G-EZPA, operated by Easyjet Airline Company Ltd, experienced a near-collision with a drone. The aircraft was on a scheduled flight EZY1045 from Amsterdam (EHAM) to Basel (LFSB), carrying 169 passengers and six crew members. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Operational Details
The incident occurred during an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 33 at Basel Airport. At approximately 2,100 feet above mean sea level and 3.4 nautical miles from the runway threshold, the flight crew sighted a white drone with red lights in their direct path. The drone was estimated to be stationary or moving slowly at a vertical distance of about 10 meters. Due to the proximity, the crew had no time to avoid the object. The captain immediately reported the near-collision to air traffic control and continued the approach, landing without further incident.
Context and Regulatory Measures
This event was part of a broader trend in Switzerland, where reports of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) incidents increased significantly between 2014 and 2016. Authorities noted that while earlier incidents were often low-severity, recent cases involved higher severity levels near major airports like Zurich and Basel.
Swiss regulations require RPAS operators to maintain visual line of sight and prohibit flights within 5 km of runways or above 150 meters altitude within control zones. The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (BAZL) has been actively engaging with stakeholders, promoting awareness through social media, and participating in international standardization efforts via EASA and ICAO to enhance safety and harmonize regulations for unmanned aircraft.