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by dangle1 1283 days ago
Well, if true, some drone operator now has a lifetime of painful guilt to look forward to.
2 comments

Im having trouble seeing if there are clear rules around this type of thing.

If so - I dont see how this shouldnt be tried criminally. Similar to how someone would be tried for driving a car through a pedestrian area and striking someone, even if they had not explicit intent to harm.

The airspace around the airshow was under a TFR (temporary flight restriction). It would have been highly illegal for anyone to fly a drone there.
Don't you have to call the tower when you fly a drone within 5 miles of the airport? I can't imagine that the airport would've given the OK to someone flying so close to the runway.
Rule are here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers

> Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.

> Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.

> Flying drones in restricted airspace is not allowed. Drone pilots should always check for airspace restrictions prior to flight on our B4UFLY app or the UAS Facility Maps webpage.

Beyond needing to abide by the file mile rule, this airspace would have had an active TFR.

Definitely restricted airspace around an airshow.
They might have had a drone there with approval to cover the event too.
If you were flying the drone there in the approved space - you'd obviously know your drone was struck. Shouldnt that person have reported it immediately if they were being proper about following all guidelines?
Or as the promoter of the airshow permitting drones to be used, I'd be calling every single one of them in to show me their drone and all footage acquired during the event. Any one of them raising a stink about it, I'd be providing their contact information to the authorities.
Not so much guilt they turned themselves in though.