THE pilot of a passenger jet reported seeing a “flying saucer” feet away from the aircraft as it came in to land.

And the crew of another plane told investigators a drone had come so close they could make out markings and see its propellers.

An incident involving a ‘flying saucer’ sighting took place over Gatwick Credit: REUTERS

A drone is said to have come so close to an aircraft that the crew could make out markings and see its propellers Credit: Getty

The flying saucer incident occurred in April as the Airbus prepared to touch down at Gatwick.

A report by investigators at the UK Airprox Board revealed the following.

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“The A319 pilot reports that descending, turning left, a disc or ‘flying saucer’ type ­suspected drone was seen flying very close in the opposite direction, at the same level to them, past their right wing.

“Approximately 100-300ft from their aircraft wing. The object looked like a disc with darker markings on the rim, a suspected possible drone but not sure.

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“It was very close to the aircraft, but no ­evasive action was required as they were in a turn already.”

The board ruled that the safety of the aircraft had been “reduced”.

A second drone ­incident also occurred in April at London’s Heathrow airport.

The board revealed: “The A321 pilot reports that, whilst in a left turn on to base leg at LHR (over Marlow), a drone was witnessed to fly down the left-hand-side of the aircraft at close enough proximity to see details such as the colour, shape and individual props spinning.”

Airprox officials ruled: “The board considered that providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed.”

Last week the UK Airprox Board revealed that two RAF pilots had seen a possible UFO during an air-to-air refuelling over the North Sea near Norfolk in February.

One in the Voyager tanker ducked as the object whizzed past between 100ft and 150ft away at 16,000ft.

The pilot in the Typhoon fighter being refuelled also saw the object but it did not appear on radar.