/https://public-media.smithsonianmag.com/filer/e0/f8/e0f861ae-e083-4f17-8349-b4068a0fd8b3/blackhawk_nyc.jpg)
Helicopter pilots flying over cities have to be extra cautious, as the pilot of this UH-60 (photographed
over New York in 2014) undoubtedly was. (Maine Army National Guard)
Posted on 09/29/2017 3:28:42 AM PDT by LibWhacker
The first confirmed mid-air collision involving a U.S. drone.
Helicopter pilots flying over cities have to be extra cautious, as the pilot of this UH-60 (photographed
over New York in 2014) undoubtedly was. (Maine Army National Guard)
History was made and prophecies fulfilled last week when a quadcopter collided with a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter over Staten Island in New York. According to the FAA, the event represents the first confirmed inflight collision between a drone and a piloted aircraft in the United States, although there have been other unconfirmed reports. The Black Hawk, which carried a crew of four, suffered light damage and landed safely. The drone was destroyed.
The damaged Black Hawk was one of two helicopters flying in formation around 7:30 pm on September 21 near Midland Beach. The incident occurred approximately 40 minutes after sunset, and the crew was not using night vision goggles as they flew at a reported altitude of 500 feet. The helicopters were providing security for a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, according to Army spokesman Lt. Col. Joe Buccino. Buccino said both aircraft are part of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.
Because the aircraft were involved in security operations, the Secret Service will lead the investigation of the incident, with the FAA and the New York Police Department assisting. The Army will also conduct its own investigation. The NYPD has not yet identified the drone pilot.
The helicopters were returning to Linden Airport in New Jersey, and were about seven miles from their destination when the collision occurred. The crew radioed air traffic control to say they had hit something, but did not declare an emergency. It wasn’t until they discovered quadcopter parts during their postflight inspection that the crew was sure they had hit a drone.
The quadcopter was shredded in the collision, resulting in damage to several areas of the helicopter. The Black Hawk was quickly repaired and returned to flight status, however. Buccino confirms that one rotor blade had to be replaced and that one of the Black Hawk’s doors had drone parts embedded in it. According to Buccino, approximately 50 percent of the drone was recovered, including at least one of its motors.
Video and photos from New York area TV stations offered clues as to the type of drone: a DJI Phantom 4 quadrotor, one of the most common consumer drones available. Asked whether they could confirm that the motor came from a Phantom 4, DJI referred Air & Space to a written statement saying that the firm is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Army in the investigation.
While the NTSB considers the event an accident, the Army considers it a “mishap.” The FAA still hasn’t decided how to classify the event, because different rules can apply depending on the circumstances.
Mostly overlooked in the incident is another first of significance to researchers. The event marks the first opportunity to study drone impact dynamics with a manned aircraft under real-world conditions. “We’re already talking to the NTSB and others to collect as much data as we can so we can analyze it,” says David Arterburn, a former Army Black Hawk pilot who now heads the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Arterburn says the collision could have been much worse for the Black Hawk. “The way the [drone] hit them...was in somewhat of a benign orientation. I think they got fortunate.” It appears the drone hit the left side of the aircraft and bounced up into the retreating blade, where it was struck again. If it had hit an advancing blade, it could have done major damage, says Arterburn. Even worse, it could have hit the windshield, or jammed up critical mechanisms that control the Black Hawk’s rotor. Arterburn says the Black Hawk, being a military helicopter, is built to withstand significant damage, and that a civilian helicopter would probably have faired much worse.
Pilots occasionally file reports claiming to have struck a drone, but such collisions don’t typically leave much evidence behind, as the small parts fall to the ground, and so have been impossible to confirm.
Good question.
The drone pilot is aware of his altitude.
Helicopters are loud.
The drone pilot should drop altitude and return to launch point if he hears aircraft.
Not to mention the phone apps that tell you of FAA regulations, based on geographic location.
I suspect they hit geese all the time, and a goose is heaver than a toy drone... You would think it would also cause more dammage than a drone
A friend who purchased a quad-copter went through the FAA test — which is basically the same exam they give to pilots, minus the flying bit. When you’re flying a drone near an airport there are altitude restrictions based on ‘how far’ you are from the runway. Think of it as an “inverted layer cake” protecting the glide path for the aircraft operating there. You are also obligated to phone the tower to advise the airport if you’re withing 5-miles.
All of this stuff is mandated now, but very few drone operators are even aware of the rules.
The transmitters which operate the drones should be regulated and not have a range exceeding approximately 200 ft. Drones should also be required to automatically descend to ground level once contact with transmitting controller is lost.
This needs immediate attention before a passenger jet ingests one of these things on takeoff or landing.
The helicopters were providing security for a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly,
Another waste of money and equipment.
The helicopters were providing security for a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly,
Another waste of money and equipment.
Geese bits wont crack off and lodge in some important mechanical function that keeps the Helicopter aloft.
And geese usually get out of the way long before because they have an actual biological function to not die.
DJI Phantoms (like the one in this story) already return to their starting point if they lose contact with the transmitter and there are already rules about operating a drone within five miles of an airport. Your 200 ft. range limitation is an arbitrary joke. The problem is irresponsible people - good luck fixing that.
Remember the “Miracle on the Hudson” ?
It was caused by geese bits.
It won’t be the last time something like this happens.
I thought there was a 400 ft limit on drones.
It’s only a matter of time before a drone causes a major accident and multiple deaths - accidentally or purposely.
The drone is a 17”x17”x8” quadcopter and sells for $499 on Amazon. It comes with a HD video camera and has a flight time of up to 15 minutes. Also, the radio control is about 300 meters and if it gets out beyond that, it will return by GPS to its starting point.
For reference, the drone costs $1k and weighs 8.8 pounds, 15 x 8.7 x 12.8 inches. It’s a little bigger than a kids’ toy.
>>> For reference, the drone costs $1k and weighs 8.8 pounds, 15 x 8.7 x 12.8 inches. It’s a little bigger than a kids’ toy.
No, it’s $499. I own one. I got it in June.
Your information is slightly different from my post, but the differences are not important - probably different variants of the same model. Also of interest:
VISIONARY INTELLIGENCE ELEVATED IMAGINATION The DJI Phantom 4 is the smartest flying camera DJI has ever created. Able to fly intelligently with a tap, automatically create seamless tracking shots, fly intelligently over or around obstacles and much more. Flying has never been this easy or as much fun.
*********SENSE AND AVOID Obstacle sensors enable the Phantom 4 to sense and react to its environment.**********
FLY WITH TAP Simply tap on the screen to fly the Phantom 4 in the direction you want. It will avoid obstacles in its path.
VISUAL TRACKING Lock on to your subject and track them as they move, let Phantom 4 take care of everything.
INTELLIGENT FLIGHT SUPPORT SYSTEMS A dual satellite positioning system and an enhanced Vision Positioning System provides the Phantom 4 with a safer, more reliable flight experience both outdoors and indoors.
POWERFUL CAMERA DESIGNED FOR THE SKY Capable of capturing 4K video at 30 frames per second and slow motion 1080p at 120 frames per second, creating impressive footage has never been so easy.
ACTIVE CAMERA STABILIZATION A 3-axis u-frame camera stabilization system cancels out unwanted camera movements during flight.
EXTENDED FLIGHT TIMES Fly with confidence for 28 minutes.
INTEGRATED LONG RANGE TRANSMISSION See what the camera sees in 720p HD from up to 3.1 miles (5km) away with the Phantom 4’s integrated HD video downlink. Frame up your shot from far away with perfect precision.
BUILT-IN REDUNDANCIES A dual compass module and dual Inertial Measurement Unit (IMUs) greatly increases reliability.
ADVANCED AERODYNAMICS AND STABILITY Sleek, streamlined aerodynamics help the Phantom 4 slip more smoothly through the air.
HIGH-SPEED FLIGHT Fly at up to 45mph with satellite and Vision Positioning support with the new Sport Mode on Phantom 4.
The manufacturer implies “SENSE AND AVOID Obstacle sensors . . .” that it avoids obstacles. I would guess that the drone operator was dumb enough to believe the advertising.
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