Drone endanger a flying paraglider and ran away

[kanagawa227]

Please allow me to report a Midair Collision.

Time: Jan.7th 12:52pm
Place: Torrey Pine North face between the 2 flags.
Drone operator: Unknown (Photo provided as link below)
Paraglider pilot: Hunter M. Odaka
Damage: lines of the glider were cut and damaged.

While I was flying a paraglider at the time and location described above, I suddenly heard a strange noise like something was striking my canopy and I found there was a drone hanging down my glider and cutting the line. I immediately landed and a guy came approaching me admitting he was the operator of the drone, pretending to provide his name and phone however he just retrieved the drone and ran away.

Video evidence :

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[mavic3usa]

Sorry to hear about your accident. You should be able to report the incident here as well as with the police just like any other accident.

 

[Cafguy]

You need to report what has happened! No delay!!
Give the FAA and other officials the video you posted.
Hope they catch this idiot.
contact the San Diego local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) at 858-502-9882.

 

[Nanny Ogg]

Glad you were able to land safely. Hope the police catch him.

 

[MARK (LI)]

The paraglider should see if the local News Channels will air the story and show the guy's face on TV...the glider operator could have been killed .........drones are already not allowed there, and there is supposed to be a flight director who should have prevented this...

 

[Photo Booth]

I also live in San Diego and I shared your YouTube video on my Facebook page, asking friends to help identify that cowardly drone pilot.

I agree with MARK (LI), you should reach out to KUSI and other news channels and see if they will broadcast your story. As disappointing as MORE negative publicity would be for drone enthusiasts in general, the drone pilot needs to be identified and answer to authorities. At the very least, maybe his mother will take his drone away from him?

Mark

 

[toucanf16]

The paraglider should see if the local News Channels will air the story and show the guy's face on TV...the glider operator could have been killed .........drones are already not allowed there, and there is supposed to be a flight director who should have prevented this...

This guy was not in control of his drone and I absolutely don’t condone his actions or behavior. But being a Devils advocate here. You state drones are no allowed there. I just used the AirPortal and Aloft apps to plan a Torrey Pines mission and don’t see any airspace issues for that area.

 

[MARK (LI)]

The rules there at Torrey Pines do seem unclear and contradictory, but Neither of the apps has EVERY airspace covered, and they make that clear....when getting each app ...( the entirety of New York City for instance ) and it is always advised to check the local site's rules...and, before it is brought up...I know they do not control the airspace...but they do control the ground from which it is obvious that this guy controlled his flight.

 

[Photo Booth]

This guy was not in control of his drone and I absolutely don’t condone his actions or behavior. But being a Devils advocate here. You state drones are no allowed there. I just used the AirPortal and Aloft apps to plan a Torrey Pines mission and don’t see any airspace issues for that area.

The glider port is actually a FRIA. But I learned yesterday it's a FRIA intended for motorless aircraft only. The San Diego municipal code prohibits motor equipped RC aircraft (it also prohibits tethered aircraft).

Site Rules | Torrey Pines Gliderport

Torrey Pines Gliderport is an active soaring sites. It is a regulated site to ensure the safety of spectators, pilots and personal property of all visitors.

www.flytorrey.com

https://docs.sandiego.gov/council_reso_ordinance/rao1979/O-12538.pdf

Mark

 

[MARK (LI)]

The part about radio controlled crafts confused me....then I remembered that I saw a guy flying this thing there at Torrey Pines about 2 years ago....no motor to propel it...it just rides on thermals, but has control surfaces operated by what I imagine to be a radio controller...it fascinating to watch, and it looked like the guy flying it was having some fun

 

[Cafguy]

Pretty clear! No matter the rule where you takeoff from..........Paragliders are "Air traffic".
If you see "Air traffic" You are to fly AWAY from it immediately or keep away as best as possible, To include landing!
thems the rules! and I am happy the OP was not killed!

 

[Starz]

This guy was not in control of his drone

I’m attempting to figure out how you came by this information. Educate me please.

 

[MARK (LI)]

For me.... I came by that information at about 30-36 seconds in when the drone operator said "I was like trying to regain control...and then when I just got control" .....He did not come out and say I lost control, but it stands to reason that if he had been in control that he would not have to regain control....
And if you do notice he hit the glider....which is manned aircraft...drone operators are required to defer to manned aircraft....so he either disregarded that rule all together and /or did not have control of the drone

 

[toucanf16]

I’m attempting to figure out how you came by this information. Educate me please.

I’m purely speculating. Maybe he didn’t have VLOS with the drone (flying through the controller maybe?). Maybe he took his eyes off the drone for a couple seconds. In any case, if he was in control of the drone and saw the threat, then he should’ve maneuvered and given right away to the paraglider.

 

[Photo Booth]

I’m purely speculating. Maybe he didn’t have VLOS with the drone (flying through the controller maybe?). Maybe he took his eyes off the drone for a couple seconds. In any case, if he was in control of the drone and saw the threat, then he should’ve maneuvered and given right away to the paraglider.

As it turns out, the drone pilot shouldn't have been flying a drone there in the fist place. Motorized RC aircraft are prohibited (in the FRIA and for 2 miles outside the FRIA), per San Diego Municipal Code.

Sure, someone might want to argue that the drone pilot could have been over 2 miles away and flew his drone to the area. Well, that would be even more dangerous (NOBODY can maintain VLOS from over 2 miles away).

Wind Hunter, any luck getting your story aired on KUSI or other news channel? Clearly the word is getting around. When I first watched your YouTube video it had under 2,000 views. Now it is approaching 10,000 views.

Mark

 

[Cafguy]

Motorized RC aircraft are prohibited (in the FRIA

Nice place to have a FRIA !!??!
Did anyone there actually tell the Government over in San Diego what a fria was for? Perhaps you could run over to the city hall and explain it to them. LOL

 

[Cafguy]

saw the threat,

You mean the threat he saw from the ground, BEFORE he took off!?
This pilot deserves what he gets! He should never have been anywhere near those paragliders! He is very lucky he is not facing a prison sentance for killing one of them!
The only excuse this pilot has is a non-excuse " I ignored the rules" I will venture to bet this guy doesnt even posses a TRUST card!

 

[Photo Booth]

Nice place to have a FRIA !!??!
Did anyone there actually tell the Government over in San Diego what a fria was for? Perhaps you could run over to the city hall and explain it to them. LOL

You do realize there are other radio controlled aircraft besides drones? Also, the Community Based Organization rules that hobbyist drone pilots are required to follow also apply to pilots of fixed wing and rotor RC aircraft?

The FRIA at Torrey Pines Glider Port is for those other RC aircraft.

Mark

 

[Cafguy]

Are you sure its a FRIA and not just an AMA sponsored takeoff point for RC gliders?
I Know There are other Rc Vehicles besides drones. I have about 3 dozen Balsa examples in my hanger.
A F.R.I.A. is an FAA recognized I.D. zone for Aircraft above 250g without Remote I.D. other craft can use it BUT it is NOT the same as an AMA airfield. AMA airfields are NOT necessarily a FRIA and vice-versa. We have an AMA glider takeoff point here. It is not in a FRIA. just a thought

 

[Photo Booth]

From the FAA's FRIA Locations Map:

From the FAA's Facilities Map for Drones:

So, yes, I'm reasonably certain it is a FRIA.

As far as the FAA is concerned, drones can be flown there. It's the San Diego Municipal Code that prohibits motorized aircraft.

Mark