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A UK easyJetflight was involved in a category A incident after a near miss with an illegal drone over East Sussex.

A new report reveals a mid-air crash was narrowly avoided after an illegal drone came within 16ft of a commercial easyJet flight travelling at 300mph. The easyJet Airbus A320 was 5,000ft above ground, having taken off from Gatwick Airport, when the pilots spotted the object nearby.

Officials recorded it as a category A incident – the highest level of five, which meant there had been a serious risk of collision. The incident occurred at 3.21pm on February 24 as the easyJet plane was climbing to a cruising height.

UK easyJet flight involved in category A incident after 300mph near miss with illegal drone at 5,000ft