The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that it is investigating a video that shows a drone flying over a commercial airliner that was in its final approach to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
The date of the video and the drone operator are unknown. However, video captured from the drone that was posted online indicates that the operator broke a prohibition on flying drones higher than 400 feet above ground level, and a prohibition on operating drones near the airport.
In a letter to the FAA, organizations that represent unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operators said they were “deeply concerned” by the video, adding that the drone’s operator “endangered the airspace and created the real risk of a mid-air collision with a passenger jet. “
“Strict enforcement will not only punish the operator responsible for this unacceptable and reprehensible action but will also serve as a deterrent to others for misusing UAS technology and create accountability among UAS operators,” the letter stated. “Collaboratively, our organizations will continue to educate UAS operators about where they should and should not fly to help prevent similar incidents in the future.”
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Aerospace Industries Association and the Commercial Drone Alliance were among the stakeholder groups that signed the letter.