Drone Operator at Fault

[PatR]

Drone Operator Faulted In NY Collision With Helicopter - Yeshiva World News

A few things to take away from this event.

• The aircraft was ~2.5 miles from the operator
• The operator was unconcerned about flying BLOS despite LOS regulations
• The operator was unaware of the TFR
• The operator was not fully cognizant of safety of flight regulations
• Not noted in this article, but factual, DJI provided collected flight and system data to identify the operator
• The operator is now open to numerous FAA violation sanctions and liable for damages to the helicopter

Most of you know this but it's not a video game folks. There can be very serious consequences when things are done wrong with a multirotor or other RC aircraft.

 

[CraigCam]

Interesting that DJI provided data so it’s not protected like your phone. I believe that was part of forced firmware upgrade last summer where accepting the firmware also gave permission to get flight data. Obviously DJI is holding that info in their data base. It seems the Yuneec system does not have our data based on their own customer service responses. DJI has openly marketed flying without regard to FAA guidelines since the marketing of the original big octocopter with shots over public buildings and spaces. Early Phantom pilots flew over crowds all the time. None of this surprises me.

 

[AH-1G]

Here we see this individuals ignorance, or his attorney advised him to be ignorant about FAA rules. Yet many people are ignorant and want to be ignorant when it comes to rules. No respect for safety.

 

[Murray Martz]

Please make any further comments to the provided link as this is being discussed in a thread from yesterday. Also, copy your current comments and add them to the thread from yesterday or they will be lost.
Blackhawk==National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Incident Final Report

Thank you
Murray