Police are investigating reports that a passenger plane was involved in a "near-miss" with a drone near Newquay airport.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident happened as the aircraft, which had 62 people on board, was coming into land.
The drone apparently flew alongside the ATR-72 plane for a period while it was at about 900ft and two miles from its destination on Tuesday afternoon.
The flight, operated by Flybe, was travelling to Newquay from London Stansted at the time.
The pilot reported the close encounter but officers were unable to find the device or anyone on the ground.
Inspector Dave Meredith said: "The aircraft was travelling at around 900ft and was approximately two miles from the airport, just south of St Columb Major, when it reported a near-miss with a drone which flew alongside the aircraft.
"Police immediately conducted a search of the area but neither the drone nor its operator could be located.
"This is an incredibly concerning incident; the close proximity of
the drone to the passenger aircraft shows a complete disregard by the
operator for public safety, and we are appealing to the public for
information to help us track down
this reckless drone operator."
An airport spokeswoman said: "The pilot of a landing scheduled air service sighted a drone being flown within the Newquay Air Traffic Zone and adjacent to the final approach to the airport.
"Although on this occasion there was no danger of collision, ATC reported this incident to the police as the drone should not have been flown in that area without ATC clearance and posed a potential danger to incoming flights."
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules state that drones are not allowed to fly above 400ft (122m) and should be kept away from aircraft and airports.
Other near misses in recent months include reports a Airbus A320 was struck by a drone as it came into land at Heathrow in April and a Boeing 777 narrowly missing a drone after take off from a UK airport in September last year.
In March, a report released by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) found there were 23 near misses between drones and aircraft in the six months between April and October last year.
The drone apparently flew alongside the ATR-72 plane for a period while it was at about 900ft and two miles from its destination on Tuesday afternoon.
The flight, operated by Flybe, was travelling to Newquay from London Stansted at the time.
The pilot reported the close encounter but officers were unable to find the device or anyone on the ground.
Inspector Dave Meredith said: "The aircraft was travelling at around 900ft and was approximately two miles from the airport, just south of St Columb Major, when it reported a near-miss with a drone which flew alongside the aircraft.
"Police immediately conducted a search of the area but neither the drone nor its operator could be located.
this reckless drone operator."
An airport spokeswoman said: "The pilot of a landing scheduled air service sighted a drone being flown within the Newquay Air Traffic Zone and adjacent to the final approach to the airport.
"Although on this occasion there was no danger of collision, ATC reported this incident to the police as the drone should not have been flown in that area without ATC clearance and posed a potential danger to incoming flights."
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules state that drones are not allowed to fly above 400ft (122m) and should be kept away from aircraft and airports.
Other near misses in recent months include reports a Airbus A320 was struck by a drone as it came into land at Heathrow in April and a Boeing 777 narrowly missing a drone after take off from a UK airport in September last year.
In March, a report released by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) found there were 23 near misses between drones and aircraft in the six months between April and October last year.
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