A pilot forced to deflect the plane during the landing approach to avoid a lost balloon

The Qatar Airways flight was about to land in Sao Paulo when an unmanned balloon carrying an advertising banner drifted towards its path, eventually passing near the wing

The pilot was forced to perform an evasive maneuver (

Image: aeroin.net)

Dramatic footage shows the moment a landing airliner was forced to maneuver past a stray balloon.

Passengers and onlookers on the ground captured the chilling incident as the balloon - which appeared to carry an advertising banner - narrowly passed the plane's wing.

The Qatar Airways flight was about to land in Sao Paulo when the pilot was forced into an evasive maneuver.

A passenger, Denio Costa, managed to take a picture of the balloon in what appears to be near the left wing of the aircraft.

The pilot veered the aircraft to the right in order to dodge the drifting balloon and avoid a potential mid-air collision.

The balloon carried an advertising banner

The Boeing 777 arrived from Doha on Sunday morning and the incident is currently under investigation by Brazilian authorities.

Local resident Rafael Freitas took a photo as the balloon flew towards the plane's path and described the pilot's quick reaction.

“The Boeing 777 came a bit misaligned with the runway to avoid the balloon,” he said in quotes reported by The Sun. "When he passed, he corrected the alignment with a curve.

Qatar Airways told news.com.au that flight QR779 landed safely "as usual" via a spokesperson, adding that all safety margins were maintained during the maneuver.

"The captain has filed a report following the flight which is currently under investigation by Brazilian authorities," the spokesperson added.