5 of the worst drone-related accidents

When an easily obtainable object can be piloted by users with little-to-no experience in the same airspace shared by airplanes, or above crowded pedestrian areas, the need for regulation is obvious. But while no one has yet to die from a drone-related accident, it’s only a matter of time; the Federal Aviation Administration has reported nearly 700 close call collisions last year alone. For this reason — coupled with the rise of commercial drone usage — rules must be in place to ensure that businesses and private users take responsibility.  

Still, the number of drone-related accidents is exponentially lower than vehicular accidents, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves and give in to any knee-jerk legislation. Just reading over a list of some the worst offenders will tell you that they’re not really that bad. A drone registration database and some flight restrictions can go a long way at curbing accidents while ensuring we maintain this new privilege afforded to us by modern technology.

1.) Eye-Slicer
Kicking off our list of the top worst drone accidents is the most recent and perhaps the most gruesome. Earlier this fall, British toddler Oscar Webb has his right eye sliced in half after next door neighbor’s drone lost control and collided with his face. After multiple surgeries, ophthalmologists eventually decided it was necessary to remove the remaining eye, making it possible for Webb to be fitted with a prosthesis.

2.) Head Banger
In what’s arguably the first documented case of aerial hit and run, a 25-year-old woman was knocked unconscious after a two-pound drone crashed into her head during Seattle’s Pride parade on June 30, 2015. The pilot immediately fled the scene, leaving behind what was identified as a $1,200 gadget; it’s unspecified whether the Seattle Police department ever caught the perpetrator.

3.) US Open Crash
As New York City teacher Daniel Verley can attest, operating a drone in a crowded public area with amateur-level skills poses a significantly greater liability than simply operating a drone in a crowded area. The New York City teacher was arrested back in September after crashing his drone into the bleachers during the second round match of the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Fortunately, none were injured in the accident; Verley was charged with “reckless endangerment and operating a drone in a New York City public park outside of prescribed area.”

4.) Wedding Crasher
When photographer Davey Orgill was contracted to immortalize a Utah couple’s wedding with “hip, high-tech drone photography,” crashing his DJI Phantom quadcopter into the groom’s face and filming it was not part of the package. Considering the Phantom generates lift using four rotating blades which are uncovered, the man easily stood to lose a nose, ear, or in the case of Oscar Webb, an eye. Instead, he suffered some minor lacerations on the side of his head and cheek. The groom was even a good sport about it, allowing Orgill to post the video on YouTube; perhaps he realized how easy he got off the hook

5.) Drone shrapnel
A police report was submitted by the Pasadena PD back in September, describing an incident in which a $2,500 DJI Inspire 1 quadcopter lost control and crashed outside the Pasadena City Hall, injuring an 11-month-year infant with shrapnel. The child suffered no more than a quarter-inch cut on her head and a couple of bruises, but as in with the wedding incident, the situation could’ve easily deteriorated had the debris clipped her in eyes.  In situations such as this, the drone operator may incur a fine within the range $1,000 to $25,000 if the aerial authorities conclude he flew in an unsafe area.