A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYM performing flight BA-905 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was on final approach to Heathrow's runway 09L in visual meteorologic conditions at approximately 15:16L (14:16Z) descending through about 700 feet MSL when the crew sighted a model helicopter to the left of their aircraft that eventually passed about 20 feet over the wing. The A320 continued for a safe landing on runway 09L.

The UK Airprox Board (UKAB) stated summarizing crew testimony: "The object did not strike his aircraft and he made a normal landing but it was a distraction during a critical phase of flight" and reported that the model aircraft was not visible on radar nor was it likely to be due to the reported size of the model helicopter.

The board reported the members "were satisfied that the A320 crew had seen a model helicopter and were of the unanimous opinion that the operator of the model had chosen to fly it in an entirely inappropriate location."

The UKAB reported that "Despite extensive tracing action and the proactive assistance of local model-flying-club members, it was not possible to trace the operator of the model aircraft in question."

The UKAB concluded: "The Board concluded that the cause of the Airprox was that the suspected model helicopter had been flown into conflict with the A320, and that the risk amounted to a situation that had stopped just short of an actual collision where separation had been reduced to the minimum."