Pipe bomb remnants in Essex plane crash suggest terrorist activity, criminal investigations are underway. 

Pipe bomb and drone remnants have been found in the Essex aircraft crash on the Thames in ongoing police investigation, suggesting potential terrorist involvement. The Special Operations Unit (SOU) revealed at a press-conference today that criminal investigations are underway, with parts of an undetonated improvised explosive device (IED) found around the crash area, matching remnants found in the aircraft’s engine. 

Flight US132 crashed onto the Thames near Rainham Marshes on the 21^st of November, with 42 passengers and 6 crew all accounted for by the US Airways staff and quickly evacuated to land by the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). Thankfully, there were no fatalities, and two passengers were treated for minor injuries after the crash. 

What was at first reported as a bird strike was soon found to be a collision with two drones 1,500 metres east of London City. An electrical short circuit damaged fuel pipes, momentarily igniting fuel and resulting in small fires that disabled both engines on the aircraft, which were extinguished by immediate pilot action and safety shut-off mechanisms. An emergency water landing soon followed.  

On the shore of Abbots Farm Nature Reserve, a birdwatcher came across a significant part of the IED. After further investigation, it was found that the adhesive duct tape attached to the pipe-bomb matched glue and tape found on the drone remains in the flight engine, suggesting the collision was an intentional bomb attack. Another IED was found at Lookout Hill near Thamesmead, and it is believed the perpetrators operated on the nearby Gallions Hill. Receipt fragments were found inside the IEDs leading investigators to believe the purchase of copper piping used to make the devices was purchased from a store in Braintree, Essex. Thankfully, the device was rudimentary and deemed non-viable by the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. 

The Essex Police received telephone warnings on the day of the crash from a group claiming to be the “Mersea Pathfinders”, a protest group who demonstrate against flight paths over areas of natural beauty in the vicinity. It is unclear why the police did not heed these warnings.  

Criminal investigations remain underway with military assistance and the police ask for the public’s help in finding the perpetrators. Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to call the non-emergency number 105 or visit the SOU official website (https://sou.transportpol.uk) to provide information directly to the investigation team.