Drone hits commercial airliner in Canada; no injuries

[sandensea]

Source: Reuters

A drone hit an airplane landing at a Quebec City airport this week, the first time an unmanned flying object has collided with commercial aircraft in Canada, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said on Sunday.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which happened on Thursday at Jean Lesage International Airport and involved a plane belonging to Quebec-based Skyjet Aviation.

Drones are not allowed within 5.5 km (3.4 miles) of Canadian airports, helipads and seaplane bases. Operators who put aircraft at risk face steep fines and jail time under Canadian law.

Drone usage has soared in North America, Europe and China, raising privacy concerns and fears of collisions with commercial jets, and prompting the United Nations’ aviation agency to back the creation of a single global drone registry.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-transport-drones/drone-hits-commercial-airliner-in-canada-no-injuries-idUSKBN1CK0TW

[NutmegYankee]

1. It's thought that the typical drones lightweight plastic construction reduces the risk.

They can perhaps damage an engine, but impact with the wings/fuselage isn't expected to do significant damage.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. I still wouldn't want the Airline's insurance after me for $500,000 dollar scratch

[applegrove]

3. They could bust or shatter a pilot's window too.

[pnwmom]

6. They could for sure damage an engine -- just like a small bird could. n/t

[yuiyoshida]

4. Eagle vs Drone

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. Poor eagle thought he had caught special gourmet dinner! n/t

[Virtual Burlesque]

7. I can't see that this as an insoluble problem.

A no-fly area of a few miles around airports should keep regular aircraft safe while passing through the altitude that drones usually fly, while not being too onerous on anyone flying a drone.

[Blue_Tires]

8. If people keep fucking around, they're going to get their beloved drones banned