Emergencies and Reporting

 

Emergency Procedures

 

If you experience a loss of NAV/GPS while flying your drone, follow these steps: 

  1. Select an attitude stabilized control mode
  2. Set/confirm safe altitude for area between UAS position and GCS
  3. Direct UAS to GCS by visual guidance
  4. If UAS has exceeded visual range direct UAS to GCS using back azimuth of last known position
  5. Recover UAS

 

If you experience a lost link while flying your drone, follow these steps: 

  1. Upon first indication of loss of link(LOL) check the antenna orientation, GCS link status and cables and connections. Often one of these items is the culprit of a lost link.
  2. If all connections and links are secure and there is still no link, typically the UAS will continue its current operation until a predefined LOL timeout is exceeded then execute LOL procedures.
  3. Notify people about lost link.
  4. Clear lost link landing area.

 

If you experience a fly away (i.e. aircraft is not controllable) while flying your drone, follow these steps: 

  1. Note position and direction and speed of flight of UAS
  2. Track visibly, with telemetry
  3. Calculate possible range – How far will it go? Remaining battery life?
  4. Alert Authorities and Aircraft in the area (via CTAF radio or calling Air Traffic Control)
  5. Track / Monitor UAS to maximum extent possible – Vehicles, Aircraft

Incident Reporting

If an emergency occurs while you are flying your drone, follow these steps:

  1. Clear the area around the aircraft in a quick and safe manner and notify those nearby. 
  2. Assess the situation for any additional safety threats (e.g. air or road traffic). 
  3. Address any serious injuries and call Emergency Medical Services (911) if necessary.
  4. Once human injuries have been addressed, note all damages relevant to the accident. This includes both human injury and material or property damages. 
  5. Any UAS incident involving a VT-owned aircraft or occurring on VT property must be reported to UASsafety@vtedu within 24 hours. You can find the necessary incident form here. 
  6. Damages to property other than your drone in excess of $500, or incidence that result in human injury must be reported to the FAA within 10 days of the accident. 
  7. Cease all UAS operations until told otherwise by the VT UAS Safety Office. 
  8. The VT UAS Safety Office will work with you to discuss next steps. 

 

Tools and Resources

The following is a list of tools that are recommended (and may be required) to be present at every drone operation:

  • FAA Part 107 Certification
  • Flight Binder
    • Aircraft registration
    • Pre-flight briefing checklist
    • Pre-flight checklist
    • Emergency checklist
    • Emergency contacts
    • Flight Log
    • Aircraft manual
  • First-aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Spare parts (e.g. propellers)/ tool bag