Rogue jet escorted to airport by RAF crews

RAF TYPHOON aircraft were launched to intercept a civilian aircraft which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities - and caused a loud bang heard across Kent.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Oct 2014, 19:22 BST

The aircraft, an Antonov An-26 cargo airliner from Latvia, was escorted to London Stansted yesterday after being intercepted by aircraft from RAF Coningsby.

An RAF spokesman said: “To fulfil their quick reaction role the Typhoons were cleared to travel at supersonic speed, any noise disturbance as a result of this is regretted.”

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An Essex Police spokesman said the plane had been intercepted following a loss of communication but on landing it was established that everything was in order.

The speed of the aircraft caused a loud bang which was heard across large swathes of Kent at about 4.40pm.

Speculation was rife on Twitter that there had been an explosion or an earthquake and a Police said the force had received a number of reports of a loud bang. The RAF said: “We only go supersonic over land when absolutely necessary.”

A Soundcloud clip of a warning issued from the RAF Typhoons to the Latvian aircraft said: “Matavia1605 from a Lima Nine Tango Four Seven. I am instructed for Her Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom to warn you that if you do not respond immediately to my orders you will be shot down.”

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