A new study has been released from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence. That study says that an airplane will sustain more damage from a collision with a drone than if a bird of similar size hit the plane.

Researchers conducting the study utilized computer models to simulate the impacts of quadcopters weighing 2.7 and 4 pounds. They also used models to simulate strikes with fixed-wing drones weight 4 and 8 pounds, respectively. They used both commercial airplanes and business airliners in the study. The researchers found that due to the materials the drones are constructed of, a collision would cause more damage than a similar collision with a bird.

The Damage Done by Drones

When hit with a drone, the study found that the greatest amount of damage was with the plane’s horizontal stabilizers. The least amount of damage was seen on the windshield of the planes. The study also looked at damage that would be sustained by the wing’s leading edge and vertical stabilizers. The amount of damage to those structures ranged from none to structure failure. In some instances the drone penetrated the airframe.

Commercial drone use is regulated by the FAA. One of the regulations include not being able to fly drones more than 400 feet above ground level. This height is thought to be low enough to not interfere with any aircraft. The agency says that despite calling the use of drones around aircraft both dangerous and illegal, it receives over 100 complaints each month regarding the use of drones.

What Experts Say

In a November 29 press release, Captain Tim Conoll of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, in Washington, said, “The dangers from [drones] are operated unsafely in the national airspace are real — as we’ve seen in two recent midair collisions. The findings released…in a Federal Aviation Administration-sponsored study, combined with previous data showing that near misses between [drones] and manned aircraft are occurring more often, provide compelling evidence that we need to act before tragedy strikes.” This statement was also reported in Safety+Health.

Drones are such a serious threat to aircraft that some missions have been delayed or canceled. For example, while battling a fire on Montana’s Rice Ridge, officials kept helicopters out of the sky because an unauthorized drone was spotted. During Hurricane Harvey, the public was warned to keep drones away from low-flying aircraft in Houston.

Drones are popular among both children and adults, but the general public is warned of the dangers of flying these machines in spaces where aircraft may be present. There is a very real danger to anyone piloting or riding in such a craft should it collide with a drone.

If you have been injured in an aviation accident in North Carolina, you may have legal rights to compensation. Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and discover more about your options. We are here for you and your family and we will fight to recover the compensation you deserve.

News of an airplane accident is always big news. Although terrifying and deadly, these accidents draw public attention and interest like no other. Because they don’t happen everyday, airplane accidents are nothing short of fascinating to many.

The following is a list of the five worst aviation accidents in history. Those accidents caused by bombing or terrorism were left off the list. What may be important to note for those already afraid of flying is that most of these accidents occurred in the 1970s and ’80s. Major airline disasters today are much rarer.

1. Iran Illyushin II-76 (2003)

This accident occurred near Kerman, Iran more than a decade ago. Details surrounding the accident are sparse. What is known is that there was heavy fog and high winds on the day of the crash. Adverse weather is considered to be the major factor of this crash that killed 302 people.

2. Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (1974)

This crash was the deadliest of its time, killing 346 people. As the plane traveled over France, there was the sound of an explosion and the cargo hatch blew off. Pilots fought with the plane for over a minute before it crashed into a forest. It was discovered that the cargo door was the issue, causing a dramatic change in pressure within the cabin.

3. Charkhi Dadri (1996)

A midair collision was blamed, in part, on a communication barrier. A Kazakhstan Airlines plane was flying too low because of miscommunication with air traffic control. When the control operators remembered to tell the pilots to fly at 4,600 feet, the pilots began to ascend, setting a course for disaster. The plane ran right into a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight carrying 312 people. Everyone flying on the two planes that day lost their lives.

2. Japan Airlines Flight 123 (1985)

Flight 123 took off during on of the busiest times of Japan’s travel year and was still considered to be packed. Just 12 minutes into the flight, the rudder was torn off and the hydraulic systems were destroyed. Even though the plane crashed near an American base, Japanese authorities asked that the Americans stay away. It wasn’t until next day that officials searched for survivors, finding four. No one is certain how many people may have been saved had the Americans been permitted to search the area immediately following the crash.

1. Tenerife (1977)

There were 61 survivors in this accident and 583 fatalities, making it the worst in history. A series of events caused this accident that many say would never happen again. Crowded air space, a busy airport and an egotistical pilot are all thought to have contributed to this accident that took place on an airport runway. Immediately after it go off of the ground, a KLM plane struck a Pan Am plane. The KLM plane burst into flames and everyone on board was killed. The 61 survivors of this accident were on the Pan Am flight.

If you have been injured in an aviation accident in North Carolina, call our offices. We will provide you with a free initial case evaluation. Call today.

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Most people have taken a flight at least once in their lives. Those who haven’t have probably picked someone up at the airport. It’s usually a routine operation. You arrive at the airport, check your bags, and wait at the gate. If you are picking someone up, you wait at the flight board to watch for their arrival. It is all rather ho-hum and, if we are honest, boring.

Last week, employees and passengers got quite a show at the airport when an elderly man stripped naked to protest the overbooking of his flight to Jamaica. The man had been told repeatedly that he was not able to board his flight taking off from the Charlotte Douglas International airport. To display his frustration, the man removed his clothing.

According to Charlotte resident Sherry Ketchie, 38, the more the airport employee tried to talk to the man, the angrier he got. Eventually, the man removed his shirt. He walked to the bathroom and returned without clothing. The man then headed back to the US Airways counter and continued his argument with the employee.

Funny to most at first, people quickly became alarmed at the man’s growing irritation. The heated argument continued until the police arrived and arrested him. The elderly gentleman told the police that he had stripped down to his birthday suit because he had gotten hot.

Although the police department did not respond to calls seeking comment, they did tell WBTV that the man was taken for treatment due to medical conditions and will not be charged in the incident. Says Ketchie, “There was no reason to get so angry to strip to the nude. I’m sure there were other flights he could have waited for.”

It is unknown what type of medical condition the man was or is suffering from.

If you have been injured at the hands of another, our team of personal injury lawyers is here for you. Contact our offices for assistance immediately. First consultations are always handled at no cost to you. Call our team today and start putting the pieces of your life back together.

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DENVER, Col. – If you are afraid to fly, count your blessings that you were not aboard an American Airlines flight out of Charlotte this past Wednesday, March 4.

The airplane, operated by U.S. Airways, was making its way to a gate at Denver International Airport just before noon. According to spokeswoman Mindy Crane, smoke was reported in the airliner as the plane was taxiing on the runway.

To protect the 158 passengers aboard the flight, the captain ordered emergency chutes to be activated. All 158 passengers, along with six crew members, slid safely to the ground from Flight 445. Everyone boarded buses and were driven safely to the concourse.

Thankfully, only one minor injury was reported during the incident, though it was not immediately clear what that injury was or how it occurred.

Upon inspection of the plane, no sign of fire was detected. What happened and what caused the smoke is still being investigated by officials.

According to passengers on the plane, the evacuation was calm.

Passenger Andy Long reported a smell similar to that of an emergency brake left on in a car. Long also reported a light haze filling the cabin. It was then that passengers and crew were ordered to get out of the plane without their belongings.

While passengers were only forced to wait for about 20 minutes to be transported to the airport by bus, it was more than two hours before their luggage followed. Passengers remained upbeat and had nothing but praise for the conduct of the crew and airport employees.

Long joked on his Instagram that he could remove using an emergency plan exit off of his bucket list.

While most plane rides are non-events, accidents and situations due occur. Officials recommend that when these things happen everyone should pay close attention to and follow the instructions of the captain and crew.

Panic can easily set in, especially for those who are fearful of flying, but that panic is what can turn an otherwise minor situation into something tragic. Remain calm, listen to the instructions that you are given, and do what you are told. Help others when you can and maintain an appropriate level of civility. Yes, your plans may have to be put on hold and you may be delayed in getting where you are going, but it is far better than not getting there at all.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident, our attorneys are here to help you. Call us today for a free consultation. We will review your case and determine the best method for getting you the compensation you deserve. Call now.

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Ericson Davis, a 24 year old North Carolinian member of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in New River Air Station, and his 22 year old girlfriend Anisa Tossi departed Wilmington, NC on Friday, May 22, headed for Heaven’s Landing Airport in Clayton, GA.  It was not until Sunday night that the Wilmington International Airport was notified that Davis’ plane had not reached its final destination.

Davis, a Marine pilot, had been flying a plane owned by an Aero Club from Wilmington this Memorial Day weekend. He had plans of meeting a real estate agent in hopes of purchasing property and building a home in Heaven’s Landing, a “Mountain Estate Airpark” which was situated near an airstrip.

After a “concerned party” reported the plane missing, the search for the aircraft began.  The plane, which had crashed on Friday, was not found until Monday, when the FAA located the plane’s beacon.  Davis did not file a flight path, which although is not necessary, is recommended. This could have helped searchers find the plane sooner.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the plane crash, however, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) are going to begin investigating the crash.

Whatever the cause of the accident, from engine malfunction, damage, wing/rudder malfunction, or systems failure, no new information or justice can bring back Davis or his girlfriend Tossi.

The small plane crash attorneys at Auger & Auger wish to thank the members of the military for all they have done to keep us safe.  For a free consultation, call (704)364-3361.