Two Injured in Possible Drone Incident With Porter Airlines Plane
Although drones can be fun devices — especially for filmmakers and techies — they can pose a threat to aircraft. Yesterday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada announced that it was deploying a team to investigate a recent incident between a Porter Airlines aircraft and a possible drone in which two crew members were injured.
Porter Airlines Flight 204, which was bound for Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), was approaching the airport when the pilots had to make drastic maneuvers in order to avoid a low-flying object. Initially, the pilots believed it could have been a balloon, but later said that it could have been a drone. As a result of the jerking motion, two flight attendants suffered minor injures.
This incident brings up the ongoing debate of how to monitor drone usage in commercial airspace — specifically low-flying drones that can interfere with planes as they approach the runway. The US already requires drone owners to register their devices with federal authorities in hopes that people would be more responsible in how they use their drones. As a result of this incident, the Air Line Pilots Association, Canada wants our neighbors up north to follow suit. It still remains unclear how, if at all, the government or airports will monitor drone usage within commercial airspace, but a few options are being considered.
H/T: Engadget