Close encounter with crashing satellite

[Kiwi Flyer]

NZ Herald

An Auckland-bound jetliner came close to being hit by blazing pieces of a Russian satellite hurtling into New Zealand airspace.

Aviation authorities are investigating how flaming wreckage of the satellite thundered close to the Lan Chile Airlines Airbus A340 flying from Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday night.

The disintegrating satellite was so close to the aircraft that the pilot could hear the roar it made as it broke the sound barrier.

Hope there isn't another "planned crash" when I fly that part of the skies in a few days.