Media in Germany reported about a drone incident at the airport in Munich last week when a Lufthansa a321 flying from Frankfurt to Munich was on approach at Munich when it had a near collision with a drone. Aviation Herald (avherald.com) reported about the incident on August 6, 2016.

The crew noticed a quadrocopter drone passing their aircraft at same height about 10 meters/33 feet off the right hand wing tip. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 08L. Germany's police reported a very dangerous conflict with a drone. Police is looking for the drone operator and requests witnesses to report their observations to Dachau's police station.

Yesterday, August 7, 2016 bild.de wrote, quoting flight safety experts, that this was no isolated incident and that drones now present a greater danger for airplanes than birds. According to the spokesman of German Flight Safety, Axel Raab, since the beginning of 2015, there have been over 30 incidents involving drones. Those incidents weren’t always dangerous, but drones were sighted at heights at which they shouldn’t be flying. Another problem is that flight safety can’t see the drones on the radar, as they are too small. Raab is therefore calling for drones to be elecronically marked to become visible on radar. A chip to make this possible is currently being developed.

Owners are only allowed to operate drones on heights and distances at which they can see them, but as in the example of the near collision in Munich, it is sometimes impossible to determine the holder.

If a drone collides with the motor of a plane, it could cause a fire, it would still be possible for the plane to land safely.