Kenyan 787 forced to land at Stansted

[Trevatanus]

787 en route to London was forced to land at Stansted via a Typhoon QRA this afternoon.
I'm told that it's parked on a remote stand surrounded by emergency services. I'm aware that Stansted is the "go to" airport for suspicious aircraft. A lady on twitter is saying that a friend on the flight has told her that armed masked Police have entered the aircraft, and apparently the bomb squad are also at the airport. I realise that this is all standard practice and a huge pinch of salt is required, but who knows.

[Trevatanus]

[Tom8]

Hope it didn't crash into the car park

[Simpo Two]

It mentions 'security' seven times!



So that's one Typhoon pilot who's had an interesting day! It brings it home to you that the job entails being ordered to shoot down an airliner with hundreds of people on board.

[peterperkins]

Simpo Two said:

So that's one Typhoon pilot who's had an interesting day! It brings it home to you that the job entails being ordered to shoot down an airliner with hundreds of people on board.

Interesting dilemma.
I wonder what sort of threat level and intelligence confidence would justify that decision?
Is that option even on the table?

Nuclear weapon and terrorists on board?
Been hijacked and going to crash in central London/Parliament?

What level would it be made at? Wing commander/poor bugger on duty or PM??

'Say again, you confirm I am ordered to shoot the civilian passenger aircraft down.'

Or would they just follow it down and peel off as it goes in?

[steveo3002]

thought i heard some louder than usual airplanes earlier , explains it

[aeropilot]

peterperkins said:

Been hijacked and going to crash in central London/Parliament?

Yes, or indeed anywhere such as a Nuc Power station or major Naval Base etc., or indeed any city/large town etc.

After 9/11, any non-responding airliner in such a situation could be brought down by the RAF.

[rallye101]

Probably just lost comms, pretty standard I think

[Simpo Two]

peterperkins said:

Or would they just follow it down and peel off as it goes in?

Not much point in taking off if all you're going to do is watch it...

Defo PM level - and then of course three years of public inquiry launched by the opposition party at vast public expense.

[tight fart]

You say public enquiry I say jobs for the boys.

[Trevatanus]

rallye101 said:

Probably just lost comms, pretty standard I think

A bit more serious than that. A viable threat and also the fact that armed Police entered the aircraft on landing.
As far as I know, and I could be wrong, but a simple loss of comms, the Typhoons would signal the aircraft and once communications were made, ie the crew had made contact, they would RTB.

[djc206]

rallye101 said:

Probably just lost comms, pretty standard I think

BBC link "The civilian aircraft remained in contact with air traffic controllers throughout, and was escorted to Stansted Airport where it landed safely. This incident is now under the control of the civilian authorities."