A drone smashed into powerlines in Whangarei cutting power to about 200 commercial and industrial businesses for 20 minutes.
The drone hit an overhead line on Northpower's distribution network on Kioreroa Rd last Thursday morning.
Northpower's public affairs manager Steve MacMillan stressed the importance drone operators being fully aware ofpowerlines and encouraged operators to plan their flights so that a separation of at least 20 metres from overhead electrical infrastructure was maintained.
Mr MacMillan said large carbon fibre drones tended to be used with cameras and larger video cameras which were a serious hazard to electrical infrastructure and should not be flown near powerlines.
In the latest Northland case the drone caused a flashover which resulted in the drone breaking up and falling to the ground.
"Fortunately no one was injured and the line did not come down, but this risk could have been avoided had the operator been aware of the lines and complied with minimum safety distances."
