Remember this Incident?

Overview

There are numerous examples of safe and unsafe UAS operators. In this post, we're going to explore an incident that happened on live TV, all the way back in 2015. 

Background

Imagine you're tearing down a ski slope, and suddenly, a bladed machine nearly kills you. For Marcel Hirscher, Austria's skiing maestro, this nearly became a chilling reality—not from an avalanche, but from a plummeting drone! During a 2015 World Cup race in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Hirscher had an uninvited guest drop in, quite literally, just inches behind him. This wasn’t any small consumer-level toy but a 22-pound machine that appeared to have experienced a full power failure. The culprit? An irresponsible operator who failed to maintain a healthy distance from the racers.

Conclusion

This incident, while almost cartoonish, underscores a serious point: when mixing cutting-edge technology with sports, we must tread carefully to keep the spotlight on enhancing the thrill of sports without endangering it. Through Hirscher’s close shave, and through sheer luck, UAS pilots need to ensure that they take additional measures to prevent accidents like this from happening again. If you haven't already seen, check out the video below.