COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Federal authorities were called after two airline pilots on approach to Port Columbus reported seeing a model plane in their flight path.
It happened around 11pm Tuesday at the Brentnell Community Center, which is near Port Columbus International Airport.
According to Columbus police, two pilots saw the remote controlled plane flying dangerously close. One of those pilots described it as a ‘near miss,’ according to police.
Columbus police and Port Columbus police responded to the initial report. Officers interviewed the pilot, Eric Snyder, and took pictures of the model plane.
Snyder told NBC4 that his model plane was no where near the commercial airliners. He doesn’t believe his brightly lit plane posed a problem.
“When it’s a clear sky you can probably see that thing a couple of miles, a mile at least…they’ve got navigational equipment,” Snyder said.
Officers told NBC4 the investigation would be turned over to the FAA. The FAA says its investigation could take a couple of weeks and could result in fines.
Snyder told NBC4 he has flown his plane “a bunch of times” near the airport including a number of times at night.
Snyder was flying his Horizon Hobby Apprentice S trainer from a field behind the community center. According to the manufacturer, the electric plane weighs about three pounds and has a wingspan of 59 inches.
Snyder tells NBC4 he’s been flying remote control aircraft including drones for about a year. He says he doesn’t believe his plane was anywhere close to interfering with the approaching aircraft.
The FAA asks anyone flying model planes or drones within 5 miles of an airport to notify the airport control tower prior to flying. The Brentnell Community Center is less than two miles from the end of the Port Columbus runway and sits directly under the approach path.
Mike Barbee, Safety Officer for the Westerville Model Aeronautics Association, says such incidents give all model enthusiasts a bad name. “I hope they fine him,” Barbee said. “I hope the FAA fines him.”
“Flying in the vicinity of an airport that is, without a doubt, very irresponsible especially in the approach path or anywhere around the airport,” Barbee said.
The FAA encourages hobby and recreational unmanned aircraft operators to follow the following safety guidelines:
- Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles
- Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times
- Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations
- Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower before flying
- Don’t fly near people or stadiums
- Don’t fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs
- Don’t be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft – you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft
For more information about safely flying drones, model planes, or other unmanned aerial systems, visit Know Before You Fly.
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