Plane spotters may have caught the moment a drone hit a British Airways plane on camera.

The revelation was made on Twitter by a passenger onboard flight BA727 who believes flight enthusiasts were watching the plane ‘intently’ from a field around Heathrow at the time of the incident on Sunday (April 17) afternoon.

The fashion student and blogger described how a number of plane spotters seemed to witness the collision, which thankfully resulted in no injuries.

The flight from Geneva in Switzerland was carrying 132 passengers and five crew who all landed safely just before 1pm.

However passengers were shocked not to be told by the pilot or crew of the suspected drone hit even after landing, according to a post on Mirror Online made by Ms Vermilye: “Pretty shocked we weren’t told about this and I had to find out after hand.”

The Metropolitan Police has appealed for witnesses to the collision after a spokesman said officers would be looking into the claim that plane spotters watched the incident unfold.

'Education needed'

Meanwhile drone pilots are angered by a minority number of 'morons' who are potentially ruining a hobby for many Londoners.

Police in Hounslow recently warned that drones were posing an increased threat to aircraft around Heathrow Airport, after six incidents were reported over two months.

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has said the BA drone incident goes to show how people still need to be educated on its use.

British Airways said the Airbus A320 was examined by engineers and cleared for its next flight reporting no damage had been found, adding “safety and security are always our first priority and we will give the police every assistance with their investigation.”

Getwestlondon reported earlier this year how an illegally operated drone came within metres of a plane landing at Heathrow .

Police said they were investigating and no arrests had been made following the incident on Sunday which was reported by the pilot.

Officers refused to rule out whether the incident was terror-related or not.

'Dangerous crime'

Heathrow’s aviation policing team reported on Twitter: “Officers are currently speaking to a pilot who has reported a drone flying very close to his aircraft on approach to Heathrow.

“This is dangerous, it is also a crime. Please be aware of the rules before you start flying a drone.”

Anyone caught flying an unmanned aircraft above 400ft or beyond their eyeline can be convicted under the Air Navigation Order 2009, with a maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment.

If their actions cause a pilot to take evasive action, the charge could be endangering an aircraft and jail for life.

Pilots are also facing the danger of potentially blinding lasers being deliberately shone at planes around Heathrow , with recorded incidents having rocketed recently.

Find out more about the Drone Code from the Civil AviAtion Authority (CAA)