NO PANE NO GAIN
Homeowners demand RAF pays for windows broken by sonic boom as jets scrambled to Jet2 flight as ‘drunk’ passenger ‘rushed cockpit’
THE MINISTRY of Defence has revealed that four compensation claims have been made following a sonic boom above Essex on June 22.
The boom was caused by two Typhoon jets who were thrust into action to help escort a Jet2 flight with a disruptive passenger who had tried to rush the cockpit.
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The four claims cover all manner of household glass items, from a broken window to a damaged greenhouse.
One claimant is asking for compensation for a broken ceiling light, and another for a cracked car windscreen.
All claims but one come from Essex, with the other claimant hailing from Hertfordshire.
The MOD didn't disclose the value of the claims, but have previously forked out £1,207 in 2014 for a cracked windows claim and £780 for damage to patio doors and a chandelier in Peterborough.
'HUGE BANG'
Shocked locals in Harlow, Epping, Chelmsford and Stansted rushed to report the "loud explosion," on June 22 causing a flurry of 999 calls.
One man described the noise as a "huge bang" which "nearly blew my window out";.
Twitter users said their windows rattled and tellys shook as far away as Chelmsford 18 miles away and even Ilford in East London, around 40 miles from the airport.
Police in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, tweeted: "Large number of 999 calls coming in about a loud explosion.
"We have liaised with @EssexPoliceUK who are confirming that this is a sonic boom from a passing aircraft."
A sonic boom is created when supersonic aircraft accelerate through the sound barrier - which is banned over land except in emergencies.
The MOD said:"It is recognised that supersonic flight overland may cause inconvenience to the public.
"However, this must be balanced against the need to maintain national security in an unpredictable and dangerous world."
HIJACK ALERT
The Typhoon jets had to escort a flight from Stansted to Dalaman, Turkery back to land after a 25-year-old woman, who was described as "intoxicated" became abusive towards passengers and crew and said she was going to "kill" them, as well as rushing the cockpit.
It was revealed by The Sun Online that the disruptive passenger is Costa Coffee employee, Chloe Haines, who has previously had 'issues' with drinking.
A hijacker alert was raised and police removed Haines from the flight after it had landed safely back at Stansted airport.
Passengers travelling on the Airbus 321 described the incident as "terrifying" and said that people were "screaming and crying".
A passenger sat two rows behind the 25-year-old Costa worker said: "This lady who was clearly intoxicated gets called to the front of the plane and she starts shouting and screaming and runs to the plane door.
"The cabin crew grabbed her to stop her and then she starts scratching them and hitting them.
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"She kept singing songs and screaming she’s gonna kill us, 'I want to get off', 'I’m gonna f****** hit you' 'f***** come on then'.
"I was terrified. There’s nothing you can do, you can’t escape."
Other passengers say Haines seemed "drugged up" and had the strength of a "fully grown man."
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Woman arrested after 'storming cockpit' on Jet2 flight
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