Stansted 'bang' caused by sonic boom as fighter jets escort plane into airport

Incident: a Jet2 aircraft was redirected (file)
AFP/Getty Images
Jacob Jarvis22 June 2019
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A large bang heard around Stansted Airport was caused by a fighter jet escorting a plane into land causing a sonic boom.

There were numerous reports of a loud noise, which some said was like an explosion, in the area surrounding the airport in Essex.

A spokesman for Stansted Airport said that jets were scrambled to accompany the flight due to reports of a disruptive passenger.

The plane involved was a Jet2 flight which had been travelling to Dalaman in Turkey on Saturday when it had to be re-directed back to Stansted, according to spokeswoman for the airline.

Essex Police had multiple reports regarding the sound in the area.

A typhoon jet is said to have made the sonic boom
AP

A statement from Bishop's Stortford Police on Twitter said: "Large number of 999 calls coming in about a loud explosion.

"We have liaised with Essex Police who are confirming that this is a sonic boom from a passing aircraft."

A full statement from Essex Police said: We were made aware of a disruptive passenger on an inbound flight to Stansted this evening, Saturday, 22 June.

"There is a possibility that residents nearby may have heard a loud noise, often associated with a sonic boom, as the aircraft descended into Stansted airspace.

"Officers attended and arrested a 25-year-old woman on suspicion of two assaults and endangering an aircraft.

"She remains in custody."

The Standard contacted the Ministry of Defence for further details.

A sonic boom is a noise created when something travels faster than the speed of sound.

One man described the noise as a "huge bang" which "nearly blew my window out".

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT