Dangerous Near-Miss Between Helicopter and Drone Subject of FAA Inquiry
"I guess I got lucky that day nothing has happened. Phewww."
A Youtube video showing footage captured by a DJI Mavic Pro Platinum drone shows a picturesque coastline along Hollywood, Florida — greenish blue water, a sandy beach, gleaming hotels rising behind — before helicopter comes flying straight at the drone, a near-miss the FAA is now investigating.
The video, posted Friday by a YouTuber named Masih Persian, has since been pulled offline, but copies remain that show the tremendous speed with which the helicopter flies at the drone in this almost-crash. By the time the drone’s camera pans 180 degrees behind it, the helicopter is a speck in the distance. Numerous comments left below the video on YouTube criticize the pilot for the move.
Federal Aviation Administration rules state that drones can’t be flown near other aircraft.
Persian’s video description, captured by WPLG, an ABC affiliate, expresses relief: “Enjoying an afternoon flight with my drone around Hollywood Beach, FL. A private helicopter flew right into my drone. I guess I got lucky that day nothing has happened. Phewww.”
The FAA has confirmed with Inverse it is investigating the flight.
