Drone shot at today!

[Tristar500]

At approximately 10 minutes into the flight with my DJI Air 2 S, my neighbor and I heard gunfire close to our position. I used the drone to try to determine where it was coming from and spotted a few individuals walking about in the adjacent property. I was unable to determine the source of the gunfire and was running low on battery (27%), so I decided it was time to return to my location and land the aircraft, which I did so on autoreturn while maintaining visual line of sight. During the last part of the descent, I thought the motor/propeller noise seemed unusual. The landing of the aircraft was rough and unusual. A post-flight examination of the aircraft revealed a heavily damaged propeller blade. At the time, I didn't think too much about it and removed the damaged propeller assembly so as to be sure to replace the damaged part before the next flight.

It was not until I got back to my office and downloaded the still photos and videos that I became aware of the fact that the aircraft had been fired at by an individual on the ground with a semi-automatic handgun. I have video showing the aircraft taking fire.

Talked to the FBI and filed a report with the FAA. Contacting local law enforcement in the morning. (I'm outside city limits, so under the Sheriff's jurisdiction, and they don't open till 8 am.

 

[Bad Santa]

At approximately 10 minutes into the flight with my DJI Air 2 S, my neighbor and I heard gunfire close to our position. I used the drone to try to determine where it was coming from and spotted a few individuals walking about in the adjacent property. I was unable to determine the source of the gunfire and was running low on battery (27%), so I decided it was time to return to my location and land the aircraft, which I did so on autoreturn while maintaining visual line of sight. During the last part of the descent, I thought the motor/propeller noise seemed unusual. The landing of the aircraft was rough and unusual. A post-flight examination of the aircraft revealed a heavily damaged propeller blade. At the time, I didn't think too much about it and removed the damaged propeller assembly so as to be sure to replace the damaged part before the next flight.

It was not until I got back to my office and downloaded the still photos and videos that I became aware of the fact that the aircraft had been fired at by an individual on the ground with a semi-automatic handgun. I have video showing the aircraft taking fire.

Talked to the FBI and filed a report with the FAA. Contacting local law enforcement in the morning. (I'm outside city limits, so under the Sheriff's jurisdiction, and they don't open till 8 am.

People are stupid.

Firing a gun at a camera? STOOPID!

 

[Tristar500]

Question about the data logging on my Air 2 S.
My drone was shot at today and struck one of the propeller blades, cutting it nearly in half.
I know the data logger records a lot of information. Do you think it will show some anomalies that I can tie to the video as to when the drone was hit?
I was able to land, but it was a rough landing. There doesn't appear to be any other damage to the drone.

 

[GadgetGuy]

People are stupid.

Firing a gun at a camera? STOOPID!

Imagine how they respond if they are unsuccessful at shooting it down, and instead track it back to you, while landing. Whatever they didn't want you to record that justified shooting at the drone, you are now a witness and a loose end that needs to be gotten rid of, too! Part of a drone pilot’s kit should now include a CCP for self defense!

 

[GadgetGuy]

Question about the data logging on my Air 2 S.
My drone was shot at today and struck one of the propeller blades, cutting it nearly in half.
I know the data logger records a lot of information. Do you think it will show some anomalies that I can tie to the video as to when the drone was hit?
I was able to land, but it was a rough landing. There doesn't appear to be any other damage to the drone.

No doubt. The change in performance will be immediately noticeable in the flight log. Upload it to PhantomHelp.com for evaluation and post the log here. You are lucky to have made it back.

 

[Tristar500]

Imagine how they respond if they are unsuccessful at shooting it down, and instead track it back to you, while landing. Whatever they didn't want you to record that justified shooting at the drone, you are now a witness and a loose end that needs to be gotten rid of, too! Part of a drone pilot’s kit should now include a CCP for self defense!

I have a CCP and am not afraid to put it to good use if needed.

 

[Tristar500]

No doubt. The change in performance will be immediately noticeable in the flight log. Upload it to PhantomHelp.com for evaluation and post the log here. You are lucky to have made it back.

I didn't bring my controller back to my home office today, so I only have the .SRT files are available to me this evening until I go back to my shop across town in the morning. Is it the .DAT file that is needed for the upload to Phantomhelp?

 

[Droning on and on...]

I didn't bring my controller back to my home office today, so I only have the .SRT files are available to me this evening until I go back to my shop across town in the morning. Is it the .DAT file that is needed for the upload to Phantomhelp?

.TXT file from the RC. If you used an N2 then it will be on your phone.

The PhantomHelp site has the detailed instructions.

 

[Cafguy]

I would think that the FBI and\or local police would ask for that Data. Shooting at a Drone is a federal crime. Shooting into the air is a local crime. Hope they catch the offender!

 

[Tristar500]

.TXT file from the RC. If you used an N2 then it will be on your phone.

The PhantomHelp site has the detailed instructions.

Got it, Thanks!

 

[GadgetGuy]

I have a CCP and am not afraid to put it to good use if needed.

Sadly, a CCP is almost mandatory for anyone flying these days!
More important than a 107!
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6!

 

[msinger]

Got it, Thanks!

Share the link here if you need help reviewing the flight log.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

Hopefully they will get arrested....

 

[Vic Moss]

You did all the right things, although not necessarily in the right order. But that's not really an issue. Let me know if you need help with the LEOs.

At this point, the LEO should reach out to the FAA's LEAP (Law Enforcement Assistance Program) Agent. But if you talked to the FAA (was it FDSO?) then they likely passed it along to the their LEAP Agent.

From there, the LEAP Agent would contact DOJ, which you also already did.

If you don't mind, please reach out to me at [email protected]. I can help with the process. I've done quite a bit of this already for other pilots. Also, write down all of the details, and have the person with you do that same. Include incident times as accurately as possible. And if you have video showing the shooter, even if he isn't seen shooting, include a frame grab in that email.

Then you and your neighbor should email all of that info to you. That way you have an officially time stamped document in your possession. And if someone asks for the info, you can simply forward them the emails.

 

[Vic Moss]

... also, keep that propeller!!!!

 

[Tristar500]

... also, keep that propeller!!!!

All evidence has been preserved. I'm about to head to my workshop across town where the RC is. (I only carried the aircraft home with me, not knowing I'd need the RC to access the FDR. Once I have that, I will call local law enforcement.
Note: Did not speak with FAA but rather used their website to report the incident. I would expect them to reach out to me soon.

 

[KB9Radio]

At approximately 10 minutes into the flight with my DJI Air 2 S, my neighbor and I heard gunfire close to our position. I used the drone to try to determine where it was coming from and spotted a few individuals walking about in the adjacent property. I was unable to determine the source of the gunfire and was running low on battery (27%), so I decided it was time to return to my location and land the aircraft, which I did so on autoreturn while maintaining visual line of sight. During the last part of the descent, I thought the motor/propeller noise seemed unusual. The landing of the aircraft was rough and unusual. A post-flight examination of the aircraft revealed a heavily damaged propeller blade. At the time, I didn't think too much about it and removed the damaged propeller assembly so as to be sure to replace the damaged part before the next flight.

It was not until I got back to my office and downloaded the still photos and videos that I became aware of the fact that the aircraft had been fired at by an individual on the ground with a semi-automatic handgun. I have video showing the aircraft taking fire.

Talked to the FBI and filed a report with the FAA. Contacting local law enforcement in the morning. (I'm outside city limits, so under the Sheriff's jurisdiction, and they don't open till 8 am.

I don't how high you were, but Wow, if he was able to hit a drone in in the air at some distance that was a pretty good shot. Most folks couldn't hit a drone at 30 feet with a handgun.

 

[Vic Moss]

All evidence has been preserved. I'm about to head to my workshop across town where the RC is. (I only carried the aircraft home with me, not knowing I'd need the RC to access the FDR. Once I have that, I will call local law enforcement.
Note: Did not speak with FAA but rather used their website to report the incident. I would expect them to reach out to me soon.

Sounds good. Let me know if I can help.

 

[Tristar500]

I don't how high you wrre, but Wow, if he was able to hit a drone in in the air at some distance that was a pretty good shot. Most folks couldn't hit a drone at 30 feet with a handgun.

I was just under 250 feet. I don't know how many shots he took at the drone, as I didn't even know I was being shot at. We heard at least 20 shots so....

 

[twickers14]

This sounds horrific and thank goodness we don’t get that over here although I am sure there will have been cases. Glad you got your drone down safely. May I naively ask what is a CCP?