Civil aviation authorities to investigate drone incident that hampered firefighters
A Hobart man is co-operating with police in relation to a drone being flown near a Bruny Island bushfire on Christmas Day.
Tasmania
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TASMANIA Police has forwarded details of a Hobart drone operator to the nation’s civil aviation authority following an incident that hampered firefighting efforts on Bruny Island this week.
Police have interviewed the 37-year-old drone operator from Howrah, who has been co-operating fully with authorities since a drone was flown in airspace near the Bruny Island bushfire on Christmas Day.
A police spokeswoman said the matter would now be investigated further by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which would decide on any further action.
“CASA is the regulatory authority body for drones and will determine what or whether further action is required in relation to this incident,” the spokeswoman said.
Police are also obtaining witness statements about the incident, which will also be forwarded to CASA.
The action follows the Tasmania Fire Service calling off aerial firefighting efforts on Tuesday because a drone was flying in the area near Bruny Island.
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Seven water-bombing helicopters spent Christmas Day trying to control a bushfire on Bruny, but they were grounded in the afternoon because of a drone flying in their airspace.
Police said the drone compromised firefighting efforts and put the Bruny Island community at risk.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said drones were dangerous for any aircraft, but particularly smaller craft such as helicopters.
“Drones could get sucked into an engine and take an engine out,” Mr Gibson said.
“Particularly for helicopters, the results could be catastrophic.
“Quite rightly, pilots simply won’t fly if there’s a drone in the area.”
He said people should never fly a drone near bushfires, or any other emergency incident.
Tasmania Police have also warned drone owners about the nation’s aviation rules via their Facebook site.
“Drones can be fun ... but remember there are strict safety rules about where you can fly them,” the Tasmania Police post says.
“In particular, flying drones near public safety or emergency operations, such as bushfires, can be an offence under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
“Parents, if Santa gave your kids a drone for Christmas, please check out the safety rules first and make sure they understand and abide by them.”
Firefighters on Wednesday downgraded the bushfire alert on Bruny Island because of favourable weather conditions.
See more details about recreational drone rules on CASA’s website.
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