'Loud bang' as Russian-made cargo plane escorted into Stansted

A Royal Air Force Typhoon Eurofighter. Photo / Thinkstock

A "massive explosion" has shaken residents in a number of South East English towns, after two RAF fighter jets scrambled to escort a cargo plane into Stansted airport.

According to UK news organisation Kent Online, a Russian-built Latvian cargo plane was escorted into Stansted airport this afternoon (local time) by two RAF Typhoons.

A "massive mystery explosion" shook residents across west Kent at 4.44pm (local time) - with some claiming it was a sonic boom.

Stansted Airport confirmed that two RAF jets accompanied the plane, which landed at the airport and was inspected by Essex Police, Kent Online reported.

Typhoons launched to intercept a civil aircraft. It was safely escorted to Stansted. Our aircraft cleared supersonic during the scramble.

— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) October 29, 2014

It has now been checked and can continue its journey to Birmingham.

Essex Police said military jets were deployed on a precautionary basis when the Latvian-registered cargo plane was diverted to Stansted due to a loss of communication with the aircraft.

The aircraft landed at Stansted at 5.20pm (local time).

All three people on board were been spoken to by officers and it was established everything was in order, Kent Online reported.

The reason for the short loss of communication was due to a change in airspace jurisdiction, the force said.

"Essex Police is not investigating the incident and the aircraft will be able to continue its journey to Birmingham when it is ready," a spokesman said.

Kent Police confirmed a "loud bang" felt by residents in the area at 4.44pm (local time) was related to the RAF activity.

People in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Dartford reported hearing the noise.

The RAF has apologised for "startling" residents after the planes were given the go-ahead to fly supersonic over land.

Apologies if we startled you during the successful intercept this afternoon - we only go supersonic over land when absolutely necessary.

— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) October 29, 2014

- Herald Online