Part 107 UAS pilot reported during flight a bird caused a distraction and the UAS was inadvertently flown into power lines and crashed.
Synopsis
Part 107 UAS pilot reported during flight a bird caused a distraction and the UAS was inadvertently flown into power lines and crashed.
Narrative
I; a Part 107 UAS Operator; was flying a DJI Inspire 2 owned by my employer for the purpose of landscape photography. I was the Remote Pilot in Command with 10+ years of UAS flight experience. I was flying in accordance with all appropriate regulations. At one point in my mission to collect video and photos over the open grasslands; a seagull flew close to my drone and appeared to be attacking it. I attempted to maneuver away and reverse from it but that accidently pushed my drone into power lines adjacent to the property. Flight altitude was 25' AGL at that point. It was daytime with low winds; and cloudy but bright skies. I immediately went out to the crash site to check for injuries and damage. There was none other than to the drone. I recovered the drone; moved it out of the way; and brought it back to the office. I photographed the damage to the drone. In the future; I will maintain a better situational awareness of birds in the area to ensure this type of event does not happen again.
NASA callback
The reporter indicated they learned this was not classified as an accident.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.