It's a moot point over who crashed into who. Since manned AC have the right of way and it's illegal to fly drones in Staten Island, it's the drone pilot that was wrong.Or, maybe the army helicopter crashed into the drone???
Not to cause an argument, but what part of the multiple news stories would suggest that it's fictitious? The news posts in the other thread had pictures and it does look like the arm and motor from a P4 that was recovered. Like in this news story.It was above 400' (debatable but we teach 400 or below)
It was flying in a No Fly Zone (Staten Island)
It was flying in an established TFR for UN Meeting
It was not maintaining See & Avoid
Did not maintain proper aircraft separation distance
I genuinely hope they identify the operator so we can get the "Back story". I also really hope they can locate the rest of the AC and the data is intact enough to learn about the whole flight(s).
There is absolutely ZERO excuse for this happening. Hobbyist, P107, Santa Clause.... does not matter. If this turns out to be accurate it's exactly what the FAA/Congress/John Q. Public need to push (and get) very harsh regulations. At least (if it's true) it didn't take the aircraft down and it wasn't a commercial aircraft full of John Q. Public.
It could be worse but it could be a LOT better.... maybe it's a fictitious story... only time will tell.
Not to cause an argument, but what part of the multiple news stories would suggest that it's fictitious? The news posts in the other thread had pictures and it does look like the arm and motor from a P4 that was recovered. Like in this news story.
That looks like a DJI part. If there is any inkling of a serial number on that part, the FBI will chase the purchaser to the end of the earth. This also suggests the pilot likely hacked DJIs Geofencing to get it to fly.
It was above 400' (debatable but we teach 400 or below)
It was flying in a No Fly Zone (Staten Island)
It was flying in an established TFR for UN Meeting
It was not maintaining See & Avoid
Did not maintain proper aircraft separation distance
I genuinely hope they identify the operator so we can get the "Back story". I also really hope they can locate the rest of the AC and the data is intact enough to learn about the whole flight(s).
There is absolutely ZERO excuse for this happening. Hobbyist, P107, Santa Clause.... does not matter. If this turns out to be accurate it's exactly what the FAA/Congress/John Q. Public need to push (and get) very harsh regulations. At least (if it's true) it didn't take the aircraft down and it wasn't a commercial aircraft full of John Q. Public.
It could be worse but it could be a LOT better.... maybe it's a fictitious story... only time will tell.
I'm not sure that there were any active TFRs over Midland Beach at 2015 yesterday, but that would only remove one of those reasons for not flying there. Very foolish.
In the phone interview today it was "stated" there was one in place at the time for VIP Movement (which happens to be what these three helo were doing). I've not checked myself just going by a phone interview from earlier today.
You can't fly in LaTourette Park anymore?
LaTourette is only 3 miles from Midland, it's a likely location for where the drone was launched from. It's also just outside the DJI warning zones, so no hacking would have been needed to launch it legally. Until they complete the investigation, we wont know if the strike occurred over the beach at 500 ft or if it happened at 400 ft and over LaTourette.You can't fly in LaTourette Park anymore? Why I realize it's not near Midland Beach, I keep reading that all of Staten Island is off limits so I'm curious.
What new statutes would you need? If the strike occurred about 400 ft or outside Latourette, then drone pilot is already in trouble with the existing laws. If the strike occurred at or below 400ft and the drone was in a designated area for drones, then it gets stickier. One could argue that drone activity restricted to just 5 designated parks, the helicopter pilot should have avoided flying over those parks. Otherwise, what is the point of having parks where drones and other model aircraft can be flown.It doesn’t matter. They are going to print new books to throw at whoever was flying it. This is the example anti uav people have been waiting for.
That looks like a DJI part. ... This also suggests the pilot likely hacked DJIs Geofencing to get it to fly.
Not to cause an argument, but what part of the multiple news stories would suggest that it's fictitious? The news posts in the other thread had pictures and it does look like the arm and motor from a P4 that was recovered. Like in this news story.
I keep looking at that motor arm and have a hard time swallowing that it broke like that, even if it hit the leading edge of the rotor. (Looks a lot like somebody parted out a busted drone with a band saw.) And then how'd they locate it?
It's a believable story... but.
SB