LONDON (AP) — Britain scrambled two Royal Air Force Typhoon jets Wednesday to intercept a Latvian cargo plane that had lost communication with air traffic control, the Ministry of Defense and police said.
The Russian-built Antonov, operated by a Latvian carrier, was escorted safely to Stansted Airport outside London, authorities said.
Police said it received calls about people hearing a “loud bang” in the Kent area, southeast of London, caused by a sonic boom from the jets. The Royal Air Force apologized on Twitter for causing alarm, saying its jets only “go supersonic over land when absolutely necessary.”
Airport spokesman Mark Davison said the plane was taken to a remote stand while police investigated, but that the incident was “stood down” about half an hour later.
Police said they spoke to all three people onboard the cargo plane, and that the aircraft would soon continue its journey to Birmingham in central England.
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