anic in Istanbul air: An unidentified aerial object has started to appear in front of planes

At Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, pilots who saw an unidentified object on their radars triggered a response from aviation authorities. Following two days of traffic warnings, a detailed investigation was launched in the area.

Pilots of planes landing and taking off at Sabiha Gökçen Airport reported receiving traffic warnings on their radars and contacted air traffic control. Following these alerts, large-scale searches covering sea, land, and air were conducted. However, despite all efforts, the source of the object could not be identified.

IS THE SOURCE A DRONE OR A SHIP?

After pilots suggested that the unidentified object could be a drone or a ship on the water, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and other relevant agencies conducted investigations in the region. However, no negative situations were detected. The cause of this ongoing situation, which has been happening since the weekend, has not yet been determined.

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS REVEALED

Radio communications during the incident were recorded. In the dialogues between pilots and control towers, it was mentioned that the traffic alerts were received at altitudes between 300 and 500 feet, but the object’s identity could not be determined.

RADIO COMMUNICATION DETAILS

Pilot: “During the final approach, we received a traffic warning at 300 feet; it could be a drone or another plane. For your information.”

Tower: “Sir, since this morning, all aircraft have given this warning. The authorities have been notified, and searches are being carried out over the sea. But the object has not been found.”

Tower: “Sir, we have been dealing with this for 2.5 hours, and many flights before you also received this warning. We have informed the Coast Guard. We suspect it’s from a ship on the sea.”

Tower: “By the way, for your information, previous flights approaching the airport on a course about 2.5 miles out received a traffic warning, which they believe likely came from a ship. After observing the situation, could you please report?”

Pilot: “We are seeing traffic descending 500 feet below us, which we also see as an unidentified object. It is currently 5 miles ahead of us, and we are tracking it. We also received this alert during our previous flight.”