Operator investigated after drone hits lines

Drones are increasing in popularity, but Northpower is urging users to be aware of the rules.

A Whangarei drone operator is being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority after his machine hit powerlines, causing a power cut to about 200 properties and the loss of at least 1000 man-hours of productivity for the businesses affected.

Northpower spokesman Steve McMillan said the drone, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), was being used to take an image of a commercial property on Thursday morning when the machine hit an 11kv electricity line on Kioreroa Rd.

Mr McMillan said the drone's contact with the line caused a flashover, making the circuit "trip" and cutting supply.

The UAV broke up and fell 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. Around 200 commercial and industrial businesses had to stop work over that period and we suspect a loss of at least 1000 man-hours of productivity for the businesses affected - a very significant cost," Mr McMillan said.

Drone operators should keep their machines at least 20m from overhead electrical lines to prevent accidents, he said. The outage affected more than 200 commercial and industrial customers for 19 minutes and Northpower reported the incident to the CAA.

The authority confirmed the incident was the first complaint it had received under new legislation - Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (Rule Part 102) - that came into effect on August 1 and covers drones.

"We understand there were several witnesses to the accident which will undoubtedly assist the CAA's investigators in the early stages of its inquiries," a spokesman said. "We are naturally concerned where there is any potential risk or threat to public safety and are taking this matter very seriously."

Mr McMillan said if a car took out powerlines Northpower generally tried to recoup the costs of any damage from the driver, but as the drone situation was relatively new the company would look at cost recovery on a case-by-case basis.