LONDON – A loud sonic boom echoed across parts of southern England on Friday morning after two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a private aircraft that had lost contact with air traffic control.
The jets launched from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire when a San Marino-registered plane stopped responding over Cambridgeshire, the RAF confirmed.
Residents across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Kent, and parts of London reported hearing a powerful bang at around 11:35 a.m. Some described it as a “vacuum-like” noise, while others said it rattled windows and shook houses.
The civilian plane was eventually escorted to London Stansted Airport, where it landed safely. Essex Police said there was “nothing of concern” once the aircraft was on the ground.
An RAF spokesperson added that communications with the pilot were re-established before landing, and the Typhoon jets subsequently returned to base.
