Passenger Jet Forced to make emergency landing in Rainham Marshes after suspected drone strike.

East London, February 7, 2025 – A dramatic incident unfolded today as a U.S Airways passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Rainham Marshes, near the River Thames. Social media users were quick to share images of flight US132, which had been travelling from London City Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol, floating roughly 100 meters offshore.

The emergency was sparked after was was initially believed to be a birdstrike, The incident occurred shortly after take-off, prompting the pilot to divert to Purfleet RSPB Reserve to land. However, British transport Police later confirmed that the cause of the disruption was not a birdstrike but two drones found in the plane’s engine.

By 3pm, just 30 minutes after the first reports surfaced on the social media platform ‘X’, emergency services from across London and Essex, along with the Royal National Lifeboat institution, were on the scene. The 42 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight were safely evacuated, with no fatalities reported.

Nadine Johnson, a passenger on board the flight, took to social media to express her gratitude towards th pilot, describing him as a ‘legend’ for safely landing the plan. “I can’t believe I’m spending my birthday on the wing of a plane,” she wrote alongside a photo of the aircraft.

Local community members, including those from the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre, rallied to assist. Medical staff conducted necessary checks a the passengers and crew in a warm, supportive environment. Although one person was suspected of suffering a heart attack, all individuals were cleared by medical staff and made arrangements to continue their journey or return home.

The British Transport Police issued an update confirming the initial suspicions of a birdstrike causing loss of communication between the aircraft and London City Airport had been ruled out. Following a thorough investigation, it revealed that the plane has collided with two drones. Recovery operations are now underway, with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch leading efforts to determine the full circumstances around the incident.

This event underscores the growing importance of strict no-fly zones around airports and flight zones.

By Megan Peach