A private jet which was intercepted by an RAF Typhoon that sparked a sonic boom today was seen parked on the tarmac at Stansted Airport this afternoon.
Millions of residents across Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Cambridge and north and south London reported hearing an ‘explosion’ shortly after 1pm today.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert jet was scrambled from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and broke the sound barrier at around 700mph over Peterborough.
The jet intercepted a private Bombardier Learjet travelling from Germany which had lost communications with air traffic control, and escorted it to Stansted Airport at 1.40pm – where it remained parked this afternoon.
The plane, which is a Bombardier Global Express D-AFAL, is available for ‘VIP’ hire and can carry up to 12 passengers and two pilots – or three for long-haul flights – as well as one cabin attendant.
On its website, the 48ft custom-painted plane offers ‘VIP transportation’ and boasts three single beds, two double beds and ultra-fast Wifi in its ‘spacious cabins.’ With Rolls Royce engines, the private jet can reach speeds of 560mph.
A spokesman for the airport said the ‘private jet’ was believed to have been flying from Germany to Birmingham.
The RAF jets are authorised to go supersonic ‘if necessary’ – which is why the boom was heard.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert jet was launched from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to intercept the private plane, pictured at Stansted
The aircraft had lost communications with air traffic control, before the RAF transported it to Stansted Airport (pictured), where it remained parked this afternoon
The the RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert jet was launched from Coningsby in Linconlnshire
The two Typhoons were launched from Coningsby to intercept a private jet that had lost communications with air traffic control
The plane, a Bombardier Global Express D-AFAL, is available for ‘VIP’ hire and can carry up to 12 passengers and two pilots – or three for long-haul flights, as well as one cabin attendant
Residents across Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Cambridge, north and south London reported hearing an ‘explosion’ shortly after 1pm today
The RAF’s (QRA) aircraft are held at immediate readiness to protect the UK and can take off within minutes
Flight-tracking data suggests the RAF jet could have hit speeds of 700mph while flying at an altitude of 39,000ft.
The speed of sound varies is about 770mph at sea level, but slower at higher altitudes.
A plane flying at 30,000ft would reach the speed of sound at about 675mph, according to NASA’s educational website.
An RAF spokesman told MailOnline: ‘The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications; subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Stansted.
‘The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons.’
QRA procedures entail RAF aircraft and crews being held at continuous high readiness 24/7, so that they can take off within minutes to protect UK and NATO sovereign airspace.
In the UK and the FI the RAF hold a continuous ground readiness posture.
The jet was escorted safely into Stansted Airport by 2pm.
TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal tweeted: ‘Wish I’d checked Twitter before I decided to single handedly, automatic wine opener in hand inspect upstairs thinking a flying burglar had broken into my loft that was bloody loud.’
The bang was heard this afternoon, setting off car alarms and shaking windows.
It was also captured on CCTV cameras across the South Coast.
Depending on the aircraft’s altitude, a sonic boom will be heard at ground level two to 60 seconds after it breaks the speed of sound.
The distance from which the boom can be heard is approximately one mile per 1,000 feet of altitude.
A supersonic aircraft travelling at an altitude of 30,000ft would cause a lateral boom of about 30 miles.
The RAF Typhoon fighter escorted the jet to Stansted Airport, Essex, after it lost communications
The plane is safely on the runway at Stansted after the scramble in the skies this afternoon
The jets were authorised to fly supersonic, which is why the boom was heard for several miles
The plane, a Bombardier Global Express D-AFAL, is available for ‘VIP’ hire and can carry up to 12 passengers and two pilots – or three for long-haul flights, as well as one cabin attendant
On its website, the 48-ft custom-painted plane offers ‘VIP transportation’ and boasts three single beds, two double beds and ultra-fast Wifi in its ‘spacious cabins’
It is not known who had hired the Bombardier Learjet which lost contact with air traffic control
With Rolls Royce engines, the private jet can reach speeds of 900km/h
Cambridgeshire Police also been receiving calls from members of the public who were startled after the loud sonic boom rattled windows and doors.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘We have received numerous calls from the public with reports of a ‘sonic boom’ between Huntingdon and Cambridge.
‘It is believed this was the result of aeroplanes flying overhead.
‘Nobody has been injured. Some callers reported the incident had ‘shaken’ properties, but no major damage is thought to have occurred.’
