A PILOT was forced to duck in the cockpit as a passenger plane was "extremely close" to hitting a drone during a dramatic near-miss on its way to land at Leeds Bradford Airport.

The Boeing 737 aircraft was arriving at 1.45pm on August 28 of last year when, at around 300ft, the pilot thought the object was about to enter the flight deck window.

The incident - which a later investigation found there was a “high” risk of collision - happened near the Old Ball pub in Horsforth.

The object was described as a "four bladed drone, in the shape of a blue cross, with four black rotors".

As a result of becoming unstable, the pilot, who was also the captain, initiated a standard go around.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) were informed that the plane was going straight ahead to 4000ft.

ATC vectored the plane for a second attempt to land which was successful.

Once landed, no evidence of damage to the aircraft was found.

The risk report said: "In the Board’s opinion, the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone.

"The Board considered that the pilot’s overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed."

As part of October's summary report, UK Airprox Board said: "The B737 pilot reports that the aircraft was fully configured and ready to land.

"At approximately 300-500ft agl, a four bladed drone in the shape of a blue cross with four black rotors passed extremely close to the flight deck window.

"It happened so fast a better description could not be given.

"It appeared to be in the area of the Old Ball Pub at Horsforth.

"The captain was the pilot flying and as a result of the startle factor ducked and moved their head away from the flight deck window as they thought it was coming through the window.

"As a result of becoming unstable a standard a go around was initiated.

"ATC were informed that they were going straight ahead to 4000ft. Once level, Approach were informed of the reason for the go around. ATC vectored them for a second attempt to land which was successful.

"Engineers met aircraft on the stand and it was believed that no evidence of damage to aircraft was found."