Fighter jets cause sonic boom over Norfolk
Fighter jets travelling at supersonic speeds caused a sonic boom heard across Norfolk after they were scrambled following a reported bomb threat to an Air India flight.
Residents across the county reported hearing loud bangs just before 12.45pm today (Thursday, October 17) as the RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighters were sent to intercept the Air India flight from Mumbai.
It had been due to land at Heathrow Airport at 12.05pm but flew in a holding pattern following the alert.
A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: “We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched this afternoon, to investigate a civilian aircraft.
“Following an uneventful interception the aircraft was released to continue to its original destination under the direction of civilian air traffic control. This incident is now being handled under the control of civilian authorities.”
A sonic boom is created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound.
A Norfolk Police statement said: “Police can confirm a loud noise heard by residents in the county was a sonic boom caused by RAF aircraft this afternoon (17 October) and was not an explosion.”
The Air India flight landed safely at Heathrow.
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