A drone collided with a commercial aircraft landing at the Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City, on October 12th, 2017, according to Transport Canada.
Canada’s Minister of Transport Marc Garneau released a public statement on October 15th, 2017, stating that this “is the first time a drone has hit a commercial aircraft in Canada.”
According to Garneau’s statement, the aircraft was able to land safely and no one was harmed as a result of the collision.
“Transport Canada is monitoring the situation and is in contact with its transportation partners, including Skyjet, the Jean Lesage International Airport and NAV Canada,” said Garneau, in the same statement.
Garneau also said that Transport Canada will work with both Quebec police services and the Transportation Safety Board “should they decide to investigate.”
The make and model of the drone that collided with the aircraft was not specified.
Transport Canada introduced new recreational drone-use rules in March 2017, and later introduced expanded restrictions in June 2017.
Among the new rules is a regulation specifying that drones must be at least 5.5 kilometres away from aerodromes, including airports, seaplane bases and other areas where aircraft take-off and land.
“I would like to remind drone operators that endangering the safety of an aircraft is extremely dangerous and a serious offence,” said Garneau. “Anyone who violates the regulations could be subject to fines of up to $25,000 and/or prison.”
According to Garneau, 1,596 drone incidents have been reported to Transport Canada since January 2017.
“Of these, 131 are deemed to have been of aviation safety concern,” said Garneau.
Source: Transport Canada
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