One of the interesting things in the UAV seminar was the recounting of a Drone and UH-60 Blackhawk encounter. I decided to read up on it as it was an interesting factoid I had not heard of until then.
On September 21, 2017 at 7:30pm a Blackhawk Helicopter was struck by a DJI Phantom 4 drone, causing damage to the Blackhawk's rotor. The Drone was destroyed. The rotor blade and some other parts of the Blackhawk had to be replaced.
The operator of the drone managed to violate multiple regulations - flying it 2.5 miles away beyond line of sight, after dark, and into a TFR. He was identified by the serial number of the drone from a recovered part lodged in the Blackhawk's engine intake. There is no info as to whether the drone operator was subsequently charged for the repairs.
The drone operator had a clear case of flying drone while stupid. Drone operators certainly need more education on when and how they're allowed to fly their drones.
This was an accident due to ignorance, but it raises the nasty scenario of deliberate attacks with drones on aircraft which could be a rather nasty scenario in and of itself.
2 comments:
Yep, his ass is going to be standing in front of a judge, sooner rather than later!
Hey Aaron;
And if they insist on the clown paying for the repairs, it ain't gonna be cheap. Military helicopters and the parts going on the helicopter cost more because the Military pays more for the part and they ain't going to "eat the cost".
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