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Air safety investigation into drone incident with triathlete Air safety investigation into drone incident with triathlete
(5 months later)
Civil aviation authorities will investigate a drone incident on Saturday that left a female triathlete needing stitches to her head.Civil aviation authorities will investigate a drone incident on Saturday that left a female triathlete needing stitches to her head.
Raija Ogden was completing the running leg of the Endure Batavia Triathlon in Geraldton, Western Australia, when, she says, she was struck by a drone falling from the sky.Raija Ogden was completing the running leg of the Endure Batavia Triathlon in Geraldton, Western Australia, when, she says, she was struck by a drone falling from the sky.
She was removed from the course on a stretcher and taken to Geraldton hospital where she received three stitches to the head.She was removed from the course on a stretcher and taken to Geraldton hospital where she received three stitches to the head.
The drone’s owner, Warren Abrams, of New Era Photography and Film, disputes that the aircraft actually hit Ogden and says she sustained her injuries when she was frightened by the falling aircraft and tripped.The drone’s owner, Warren Abrams, of New Era Photography and Film, disputes that the aircraft actually hit Ogden and says she sustained her injuries when she was frightened by the falling aircraft and tripped.
Ogden said his claims are “horrifying”. "I have lacerations on my head from the drone and the ambulance crew took a piece of propeller from my head," she told the West Australian.Ogden said his claims are “horrifying”. "I have lacerations on my head from the drone and the ambulance crew took a piece of propeller from my head," she told the West Australian.
"My hair was completely red with blood. I didn't hit the ground … I sat down because I just thought I was going to pass out.”"My hair was completely red with blood. I didn't hit the ground … I sat down because I just thought I was going to pass out.”
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Peter Gibson, said the regulator had seen videos and photos of the incident and read witness accounts. “On the face of it, these give us enough concern to warrant investigation,” he said. “We’re not suggesting there has been a breach, but we will investigate to find out if there has been.”A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Peter Gibson, said the regulator had seen videos and photos of the incident and read witness accounts. “On the face of it, these give us enough concern to warrant investigation,” he said. “We’re not suggesting there has been a breach, but we will investigate to find out if there has been.”
He said that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were subject to comprehensive regulations, including that commercial operators hold a CASA-issued certificate, and operate the drone at least 30m from people and property.He said that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were subject to comprehensive regulations, including that commercial operators hold a CASA-issued certificate, and operate the drone at least 30m from people and property.
“Australia has probably the most advanced drone regulations in the world for civilian operations. In the United States, you can’t operate a remotely piloted aircraft commercially. It’s not allowed.”“Australia has probably the most advanced drone regulations in the world for civilian operations. In the United States, you can’t operate a remotely piloted aircraft commercially. It’s not allowed.”
He said the investigation would take “some weeks, if not months, depending on the ease of obtaining the evidence”. If breaches are confirmed, the drone operator could be prosecuted or slugged with a fine of up to $8,000.He said the investigation would take “some weeks, if not months, depending on the ease of obtaining the evidence”. If breaches are confirmed, the drone operator could be prosecuted or slugged with a fine of up to $8,000.
“The technology is changing all the time, and we announced last year that we’re beginning the process of reviewing the rules so that they stay up to do with the technology and the many uses that people are now putting drones to.”“The technology is changing all the time, and we announced last year that we’re beginning the process of reviewing the rules so that they stay up to do with the technology and the many uses that people are now putting drones to.”
Abrams, who told the West Australian that video footage of the accident supported his version of events. Abrams, who told the West Australian that video footage of the accident supported his version of events.
"[Ogden] looks over her shoulder and gets frightened, falling to the ground and bumping her head, but the drone didn't actually strike her," he said. "I've had the drone for more than a year, and this is the first time it's crashed.""[Ogden] looks over her shoulder and gets frightened, falling to the ground and bumping her head, but the drone didn't actually strike her," he said. "I've had the drone for more than a year, and this is the first time it's crashed."
Speaking on ABC radio on Monday, he also suggested that his drone had been hacked by someone who had “channel-hopped” and taken control of the aircraft.Speaking on ABC radio on Monday, he also suggested that his drone had been hacked by someone who had “channel-hopped” and taken control of the aircraft.
But when contacted by Guardian Australia, he appeared to backtrack on this claim. “It does not look like it was hacked. We’re not 100%. We’re conducting a full investigation and then we’ll make a statement.”But when contacted by Guardian Australia, he appeared to backtrack on this claim. “It does not look like it was hacked. We’re not 100%. We’re conducting a full investigation and then we’ll make a statement.”