UFO sightings by manure vapor-stoned farmers in Iowa are so 1980s. Either the UFOs have gotten really sloppy or far more blasé about concealing themselves, because apparently now they’re buzzing passenger aircraft in broad daylight over London.

The recently released, detail-starved report of the July incident claims the pilot of an anonymous A320 Airbus (typically carrying about 150 passengers) was cruising at 34,000 feet, roughly 20 miles west of Heathrow Airport, when he spotted a metallic, “cigar/rugby ball like” object heading straight for the cockpit.

The pilot reported that the UFO approached so fast that he didn’t even have time to alert the first officer. He instinctively ducked, fully expecting the object to strike the plane, but it apparently whizzed passed only a few feet away.

Officials have determined that no other aircraft were in the area at the time. The theory that it may have been a balloon has also been eliminated, as no meteorological balloons were in the vicinity and toy balloons can’t reach 34,000 feet.

At this stage, I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is ‘yes’… I am Iron Man.

[Via]