Inspire 2 Shot down tonight

Brad Jones · Apr 16, 2017

Well guys I was shot down tonight. Had been flying about 10-15 minutes was over a church that's across from me (about 500 ft from where I was standing) and I was hovering at 352 feet when I here a small caliber gun shot and then my bird spinning out of control. He clipped the rear motor on the left side of the bird and it spun to the ground. Destroyed my X4S camera, broke left side arm loose from AC. Damage wasn't real bad other than a very hard landing with Landing gear up.

Filed police report but don't expect much out of it. Just wish the Feds would come and handle the case and get this guy. He denied it to me but then said he hates those "****" things.

I'm very sad and depressed, but very mad as well.

lake_flyer · Apr 17, 2017

Sorry for your loss man!
The first 3 words that came out of my mouth were not appropriate to post, even as acronym, while celebrating Easter (not that I care but some do).

What a world. I would become paranoid knowing that everybody could be carrying a gun. Over here we get arrested when we are in possession of a plastic toy gun.

Dr. Ifly Drones · Apr 17, 2017

I hate to hear this bad news and I'm sorry for your loss. I hope your injustice is made right.

Dragopan · Apr 17, 2017

I'd be on a warpath, and probably want to pound that dude's head into sand. But, please consider hiring an attorney to present him w/ legal "stuff" with the use of the term "Felony" used multiple times.

Reference:
FAA Confirms Shooting A Drone Is A Federal Crime. So When Will U.S. Prosecute?

Article excerpt: "According to Loretta Alkalay, an aviation attorney who teaches Drone Law at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, the statute also prohibits interfering with anyone "engaged in the authorized operation of such aircraft" and carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Since drones are considered aircraft, threatening a drone or a drone operator, according to Ms. Alkalay, would also be a federal crime subject to five years in prison under this same statute."

Viper Pilot · Apr 17, 2017

Good advice! Wow, that guy sure had a "lucky shot" to be able to hit that with a hand gun at that altitude!

Casey53 · Apr 17, 2017

Bad luck.

Might look into small claims court and see if you can get your $4,500 back, along with the above legal link by Dragopan on the FAA shooting down a Drone is a Federal Crime. I don't know if a lawyer would handle it given the cost, but maybe.

A lot of hunting magazines had those ads for shotgun shells that were called "Drone Killers." Given the mentality of some people in their reading base, they probably think it is legal to shoot them down on the grounds of trespassing, privacy, etc. and maybe for sport as well. Worse is very little seems to be done by judges as they likely would do the same thing, FAA be damned.

Good luck!

Brad Jones · Apr 17, 2017

Casey53 said:
Bad luck.

Might look into small claims court and see if you can get your $4,500 back, along with the above legal link by Dragopan on the FAA shooting down a Drone is a Federal Crime. I don't know if a lawyer would handle it given the cost, but maybe.

A lot of hunting magazines had those ads for shotgun shells that were called "Drone Killers." Given the mentality of some people in their reading base, they probably think it is legal to shoot them down on the grounds of trespassing, privacy, etc. and maybe for sport as well. Worse is very little seems to be done by judges as they likely would do the same thing, FAA be damned.

Good luck!

Wasn't even over his property, was flying over the church property and was just taking pictures of the sunset.

Just sent a text to my attorney to call me when he gets a chance.

Steve Cassidy · Apr 17, 2017

Brad, you should call your area FAA FSDO and report it to them. (assuming you're in the U.S.)

Hector · Apr 17, 2017

Man brother I just bought mine and know I am considering not to fly. I live in San Bernardo California pretty crazy out here. I hope some one pays for this !!!!

droneseyeview · Apr 17, 2017

Steve Cassidy said:
Brad, you should call your area FAA FSDO and report it to them. (assuming you're in the U.S.)

I agree with this- especially since the FAA is the main force behind the whole law of aircraft being shot down.

dkotinsky · Apr 17, 2017

Do you know who shot it down?

PatrickP · Apr 17, 2017

Brad Jones said:
Well guys I was shot down tonight. Had been flying about 10-15 minutes was over a church that's across from me (about 500 ft from where I was standing) and I was hovering at 352 feet when I here a small caliber gun shot and then my bird spinning out of control. He clipped the rear motor on the left side of the bird and it spun to the ground. Destroyed my X4S camera, broke left side arm loose from AC. Damage wasn't real bad other than a very hard landing with Landing gear up.

Filed police report but don't expect much out of it. Just wish the Feds would come and handle the case and get this guy. He denied it to me but then said he hates those "****" things.

I'm very sad and depressed, but very mad as well.

Yikes, i hope you find the person who did this, or did you already identify who did it? what city are you in?

Fickert · Apr 17, 2017

I would post a 500 dollar reward to any info on who can lead you to who shot it down. That is insane. I would definitely be getting an attorney. Do you not have any insurance through your insurance company?

Brad Jones · Apr 17, 2017

Fickert said:
I would post a 500 dollar reward to any info on who can lead you to who shot it down. That is insane. I would definitely be getting an attorney. Do you not have any insurance through your insurance company?

Well I have a good idea. But not 100% sure. Just 99%. But the cops did nothing with him.

Private drone shot out of sky in Morgan County

Brad Jones · Apr 17, 2017

Steve Cassidy said:
Brad, you should call your area FAA FSDO and report it to them. (assuming you're in the U.S.)

I went to that website today and did an email to see who I needed to contact. I'll try to call them tomorrow if I don't have a response. The closest one for me is in Nashville, TN. I'm in East TN. Just didn't know who to talk to if I called them.

Casey53 · Apr 17, 2017

Brad Jones said:
Well I have a good idea. But not 100% sure. Just 99%. But the cops did nothing with him.

Private drone shot out of sky in Morgan County

Nice video on the TV news. Wonder if the guy saw it? Maybe just getting the news out may thwart some of this stuff.

Bad part is you cannot be 100% sure he did it, and that's going to be his way out too. Probably why the cops can't, or won't, do anything either.

From the drone's SD card, can you pinpoint from where the shot came from or the suspect person looking up at it? Might help.

Bri Guy · Apr 17, 2017

that's Criminal Damage to Property
Go shoot his car.
Make sure he's only 99% sure who did it

Brad Jones · Apr 18, 2017

Casey53 said:
Nice video on the TV news. Wonder if the guy saw it? Maybe just getting the news out may thwart some of this stuff.

Bad part is you cannot be 100% sure he did it, and that's going to be his way out too. Probably why the cops can't, or won't, do anything either.

From the drone's SD card, can you pinpoint from where the shot came from or the suspect person looking up at it? Might help.

I had JUST stopped recording because I only had 1:30 left on my card and I wanted to take some pictures. Although you can do both at the same time, you have to stop recording to get the RAW pictures. But on the app you can tell what direction I was pointing, you can tell from the angle the shot went into the rear motor that it came from his direction, plus he said the been shooting his .22 earlier in the day...it was a small caliber shot that went off right before it went down. Then he proceeds to tell me he doesn't like the "****" thing! Pretty sure who it was. Not to mention there was no one else outside to do this from the angle that it was shot from.