Report cites 241 close encounters between pilots, drones
Researchers say there have been at least 241 reports of close encounters between drones and manned aircraft that meet the government’s definition of a near midair collision, including 28 in which pilots maneuvered to get out of the way.
A report released Friday by Bard College’s Center for the Study of the Drone in New York says 90 of the close encounters involved drones and commercial jets, the majority of which had the capacity to carry 50 people or more.
The report is based on analysis of government records detailing 921 incidents involving drones and manned aircraft between Dec. 17, 2013, and Sept. 12, 2015.
The majority of the incidents, 64.5 percent, were sightings of drones in the vicinity of other aircraft with no immediate threat of collision.
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