Drone Manufacturer: Unknown
Drone Model: Unknown
Country: Canada
Type: Accident
Date: 2021-08-10
Applies: Daytime
Pilot Qualifications: Unknown Status
Pilot Flight Experience: Unknown Hours
Link to External Information About This submission: https://psflight.org/10775/police-drone-strikes-airplane-causing-major-damage/
File Uploaded: None
Description
York Regional Police drone collided with a Cessna 172 landing at the airport in Toronto/Buttonville, ON (CYKZ).
“The instructor for a Canadian Flyers International Inc. Cessna 172N (C-GKWL) reported that they had just turned from base leg to final for Runway 15 at Toronto/Buttonville, ON (Media coverage of the York Regional Police did previously state they had acquired an Aeryon Ranger in 2016.) and were established and stable at 1100 ASL, or about 500 AGL, when they felt a jolt that pushed them back on their seat. They thought they had hit a large bird. They proceeded to land. There was no change in configuration or power since they were about to land. When exiting the aircraft, they were shocked to see a major dent on the left underside of the engine cowling. The airbox was also bent. A few hours later, a police detective confirmed a York Regional Police drone had struck their aircraft. The aircraft suffered major damage, including a propeller strike.”
“At 1NM Northwest (NW) of Toronto/Buttonville, ON (CYKZ), a Canadian Flyers International Inc. Cessna 172N (C-GKWL) on a flight to Toronto/Buttonville, ON (CYKZ) was struck by a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) while on final approach into CYKZ. The RPAS was part of a York Police Services operation in the area of Richmond Hill. No reporting of injuries or extent of the damage to the aircraft. NAV CANADA had not been advised of the RPAS operation.”
Reported Cause
There is no record of authorization for the police department to operate in that area.