Two jets were scrambled from an RAF base in Lincolnshire yesterday to intercept a lost cargo plane, causing a sonic boom which could be heard 50 miles away.
The Typhoon jets, from RAF Coningsby, escorted the Latvian plane over Kent to Stansted Airport after it had taken an unofficial detour over London.
Kent Police also received several calls from worried residents who were reporting a loud bang coming from the Dartford area at around 5.15pm.
Twitter user RAF Coningsby Info, who listens to aircraft traffic, tweeted: "Yea I have just heard a warning go out 'if you do not respond to my orders immediately you will be shot down'.''
An RAF spokesman said: "Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft south of London which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities.
"The aircraft was safely escorted to London Stansted. To fulfill their quick reaction role the Typhoons were cleared to travel at supersonic speed, any noise disturbance as a result of this is regretted."
