Two Such Incidents Within A Few Days Of Each Other, Would These Raf Fighter Jets Be Prepared To Shoot Down These Airliners As A Last Resort?

[anotheoldgit]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7187507/Bomb-threat-forces-Air-India-flight-Mumbai-New-York.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48756189

[Electrochem]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-truths/scrambling-fighter-jets-shoot-down-planes/

[237SJ]

No.

[aelmpvw]

apparently my daughter's house in Derby shook due to a sonic boom this morning

[douglas9401]

As far as I know the crew do as they're told. Any debate is sorted before spending all that loot training them for action and sitting them in a multi million pound killing machine.
I doubt it would be done on a whim though.

[shoota]

I think that post 9/11 any jet on its way to a population centre/important target can expect to be given a warning or two and then shot down if it doesn't comply.

[Togo]

I am sure that there must be a protocol in place where the bringing down of an aircraft could be sanctioned. Say for instance an aircraft has been hijacked and the controls seized. If it was suspected that the aircraft was going to be crashed into a densely populated area or even a nuclear or military facility(remember the Pentagon) I am convinced that it would be brought down to at least lessen the potential carnage. Not at all pleasant for the passengers of course, but in the event they would be doomed regardless.

[dannyk13]

In this episode the plane was suspected of having a bomb on board.For some reason the jet shoots the plane down, plane crashes on populated area, bomb goes off. Oops.

[Togo]

I am sure that the crew were in constant contact with ATC or the relevant authorities Danny. Not much chance of such a scenario in that case therefor. If however the crew or pilots were not responding to instructions or complying with rehearsed dialogue the RAF may well be given authority or even orders to bring it down.

[youngmafbog]

As a last resort, yes, I have no doubt they would. Indeed I would hope they would.

Danny if the RAF shot down a plane with a bomb (let alone the wings full of fuel) they would do it so that very little hit the ground. Also, if you look out the window next time your up you wil see that in actual fact a city is quite small so plenty of area to bring it down relativity safely. There will always be the possibilities of casualties though, it's a matter of minimising them in situations like this.

Just glad I am paying for someone else to make the call.

[Electrochem]

Please see first answer with link to Telegraph. Clearly states the protocol.

[dannyk13]

ymb, not a possibility, a certainty. This is a passenger plane we are talking about.

[youngmafbog]

No need to read it. Seems most have go the idea already.

[youngmafbog]

Danny, as pointed out above - the passengers and crew are already doomed. Therefore they do not enter into the equation. The possibilities relate to collateral damage.

[237SJ]

I don't know why anyone things the RAF would shoot down an aircraft that has had a bomb threat. Apart from anything else, most threats are hoaxes and there are contingency plans if a bomb is found (google least risk bomb location)

[237SJ]

*thinks*

[Zacs-Master]

The least risk bomb location is only effective if the bomb 1) can be found 2) can be transported to that location safely and 3) passengers don’t panic and stop the crew placing it there. It also relies on bags and blankets etc forcing the explosion outward (as it’s usually next to a rear door) which I think very unlikely.

[237SJ]

^ yes I know.

[237SJ]

I did once see a video demonstration of it in action and it worked a treat but I suppose it depends what happens "on the day"

[Peter Pedant]

// I don't know why anyone thinks the RAF would shoot down an aircraft that has had a bomb threat.//

I had spotted that

'think' is too strong a word for some of the delightful old dements who post on AB

[Peter Pedant]

// the passengers and crew are already doomed. //

er has anyone heard of a "bomb hoax" ? they are only doomed when they are er doomed ( sort of )
( c thx to Yogi Berra - the game aint over until the game's over )