What happened
On May 11, 2023, during a coordinated nighttime police aerial operation in the Victoria area of the La Araucanía Region, a DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone was performing a landing maneuver. The flight was being conducted by a primary operator supported by a second operator acting as an assistant.
During the descent, the primary operator detected an anomaly regarding the video feed transmission and decided to return the aircraft to the takeoff point. At that moment, the assistant operator noticed a vehicle approaching their position at high speed. In an attempt to avoid being struck by the vehicle, the assistant moved toward the side of the road, inadvertently placing themselves directly in the flight path of the descending drone. The aircraft struck the assistant's safety helmet, resulting in minor injuries to the assistant's face and hand, and causing structural damage to the drone.
The investigation
DGAC Chile examined the circumstances surrounding the landing at the Tres Esquinas sector. The investigation confirmed that the primary operator held valid credentials and the flight was properly authorized. However, investigators found that the operational area had not been sufficiently isolated, allowing a private vehicle to enter the landing zone.
Technical analysis of the DJI Matrice 300 RTK revealed that while the aircraft's vision and infrared detection systems were functional, they were unable to correctly identify the assistant as a stationary obstacle because the person was in motion. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the aircraft was flying without external lights, which, combined with the nighttime conditions, made the drone difficult for the assistant to track visually during the final descent.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the collision between the assistant operator and the RPA during the landing phase.
- The landing area was not adequately secured or isolated from ground traffic.
- The primary operator failed to increase the aircraft's altitude upon noticing the approaching vehicle, which would have mitigated the danger to the assistant.
- The use of nighttime flight conditions without aircraft lights contributed to the difficulty in maintaining visual contact with the drone.
- The drone's obstacle avoidance sensors were less effective due to the movement of the person in the flight path.
Safety action
- The operator should establish specific procedures for nighttime operations, particularly for flights conducted without lights.
- Enhanced measures must be implemented to ensure takeoff and landing zones are strictly isolated from unauthorized ground traffic.
- Safety briefings for flight crews should be reinforced to include protocols for managing unexpected hazards in the operational area.