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Got Hit by a Drone Today

Scot Yount

Scot Yount

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Location
Marblehead, Massachusetts
So, I am with my 1 year old daughter, wife and her mother at our super local little tiny Memorial Day Parade. I notice a guy with a drone in his hand, and even though I had never seen one in person, I recognize it to be a DJI Phantom 2 with the DJI camera. I say to him "Hey, that's a Phantom", and he smiles at me. I said "Let me know when you can hang a RED Epic under that thing", and it was clear to me that he had no clue what I was talking about. "Ok", I thought. "He is just a hobbyist." So the little parade is cranking by, and I look up and see the drone about 15 to 20 feet in the air, and I was surprised by how stable it was. I hand my daughter to my wife and lean against a building on the street where the parade is happening when I hear people gasping. Before I can process all that, the thing has fallen onto my head, cutting my scalp, nicking my forehead and bouncing off my back (cutting my neck) before it clocks an older woman on its way to the ground. The operator had crashed the chopper into the building and it fell on me. This is where things get out of control. I am fine, I am not really hurt, but because it is a "drone" people freak the hell out. The next thing I know, lawyers are trying to interview me with their little point and shoots and giving me their cards. One of them calls the police and the local CBS affiliate. EMTs come. Then an ambulance. Finally the police who can't get the operator to answer the door of an apartment he is hiding in, call the fire department. Ridiculous. So the CBS affiliate folks come banging on my door and ask for an interview. I give it to them because I used to be a TV news reporter (28 years) and know how it feels to bang on doors. Now everyone I know is trying to convince me to press charges..blah blah and sue. What I want to know, is what most of you, people who are in the picture and maybe the drone biz would have done, or would do.

The Story (sort of....)
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/05/25/drone-crashes-hits-2-people-during-marblehead-parade/
 
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That's the thing.....I like drones and the idea of using them to get shots we haven't been able to before, but when I think about it possibly hitting her, then I think maybe this isn't such a good idea. I soloed in a Piper Tomahawk when I was a teenager, but I had instruction and a log book at least. Do we need drone ops to be licensed? And if so, what about RC airplanes....I don't know. I know this has been beaten to death, but when one falls on your head it makes you think a little more deeply about it.
 
I think if it was a simply accident...which it sounds like it was since it hit a building before landing on you, then I'd let it go.

Obviously it could have been worse despite good intentions but I'd take it as it is. A kid flying a drone and unintentionally screwed up and luckily didn't hurt your daughter. I'm sure he probably feels bad but if no harm done (other then a few cuts and scrapes on you), I'd let it go. We've all been there. That's what accidents are...unintentional, unplanned mistakes.

This one doesn't sound like he was negligent or acting up on purpose. If he's apologetic, then that's a good learning moment for him.
 
i think we are just a short throw from blanket policy managing drone usage. We are waiting for a fatality to happen to jump start the policy engine. Glad you are okay in this incidence. I was able to get my drivers license at 15 years old. 30 years later, it seems quite insane. People flying payloads above crowds without supervision is not in the best interest of public safety.
 
Not a drone operator. Imagin how things might have gone differently if that drone had of hit your daughter in the face and injured her eye to the extent that she spends the rest of her life with monocular vision. The very real threat was there. In the aviation world, this is called "careless and reckless operation with hazard to persons and property on the surface". Only stiff penalties with lots of publicity might make other drone operators consider their actions in the proximity of others. Without the publicity of the penalties, it will just another lawyer chasing an ambulance and you won't be making much of a difference in the world.
 
Dr. Sassi said:
I'm glad you're fine and your daughter has no complains.

I found CBS reported pretty neutral.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/05/25/drone-crashes-hits-2-people-during-marblehead-parade/

I think at least an insurance should be required in public. I do not think about those drones as toys.
(In L.A. I need already an insurance just to put a tripod up for stills!)

(… nice shirt -- C4D, ;o)
Click to expand...
You know!! Not once has a single person ever approached me in public when I wear this, or a RED Digital Cinema shirt. Pretty much incognito!!
 
Of course I do ;o) (Cineversity / Maxon)

I hope you can enjoy the rest of Memorial Day.

Scot Yount said:
You know!! Not once has a single person ever approached me in public when I wear this, or a RED Digital Cinema shirt. Pretty much incognito!!
Click to expand...
 
Wow was that idiot lucky. Of all of the folks he might have hit he got you, possibly the most sympathetic would-be victim on the street.

I'm glad nobody was hurt seriously.
 
Most likely operator error but could have been a flyaway, as DJI and 3DR uavs often do. Could even have been a intentional jam as you can now get jammers for under $100 that can be in your pocket and drop those things.
 
Wow, Drudge put this as their big headline. This is not good. What I don't like about this is that this story is now being used as part of a "narrative" that has nothing to do with the actual use of quadcopters.
 
I make it a policy (and anyone who flies anything with props should too) that there is no flying over people who are not actors and aware of the risks. That means no crowd shots, no concerts, no games. Kid of common sense, but a lot of people are stupid.

Nick
 
I'm a drone operator in another part of the world. I agree that someone is waiting for a fatality to happen and then create legislation. However, when this happens, it will be to ban drone shooting altogether. People should be rational and understand the systems. Some measures could be done to prevent these situations as well as preserve the right of people to use drones for shooting images. Its really a revolutionary tool, much like steadicams or Cranes when they were invented. What should be done?

1- I think there should be a licensing procedure to operate drones for filming. But nothing ridiculous like demanding a true Airplane or helicopter pilot license, which I think is required on some states that legislated those. Controlling drones is much more about dexterity and remote control skills and preparation than proper airplane flying.

2- Insurance. I agree with this, but where I am, no one insures a drone pilot.

3- Parachute for the drone should be mandatory (they exist in some models), or a "sort of" Airbag system that creates a soft shell protecting the system when facing imminent failure.

These simple 3 measures would ensure immediate improvement in all areas.

Consumer drones could still be used in open air, unpopulated areas, or with a limited height restriction, lets say, 20 to 30 meters. Why would a consumer need more than that?

Anyway, I sincerely hope they don't over react. Would hate to lose my aerial shooting.

https://vimeo.com/104840203
 
I'm a qualified CAA approved drone pilot in the UK. I spent six months learning all safety aspects of UAV piloting. These 'toys' are lethal. Take it over 1000ft and see it drop on a crowd? No.

He should never have taken that P2 within 150m of people not under his control.

Make an example of him! It's unfortunate but let's consider future accidents and try to avoid them.
 
I do plan at some point to get a drone but rest assured I will not be flying over people or crowds. I agree that a license should be required. I would have no problem taking a course to get a license. Public safety should always be priority 1.

I'm glad you are ok and especially that your daughter was not injured. I also agree that if no more harm was done than a couple scrapes I'd lat it go. That guy's probably played out the court battle enough in his mind.

I hate that Drudge has picked it up. We don't need this kind of press.
 
If he was an amateur with little practice he probably flew the DJI with GPS assisted mode, which would have cut out as he came too close to the building and then lost control over the drone.
The exact same thing happened to a guy with the new DJI drone last week while I was on a shoot.

good to hear you didn't get hurt tooo much :/
 
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