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Mercy Flights helicopter crew reports close brush with drone over Phoenix By Tony Boom Posted Jun 30, 2016 at 4:15 PM Updated Jun 30, 2016 at 5:17 PM Steve Deaton, Mercy Flights director of flight operations, explains how their helicopter recently had a near miss with a drone at night near Phoenix. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch ▲ Steve Deaton, Mercy Flights director of flight operations, explains how their helicopter recently had a near miss with a drone at night near Phoenix. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch ▲ --> A Mercy Flights helicopter headed south the night of May 7 came within 25 to 50 feet of a drone headed north 1,400 feet above Phoenix, according to Mercy Flights officials. "If it had hit us, it would have caused substantial damage," said pilot Austin Swan. "If it had gone into the rotor or tail rotor ... more than likely (the helicopter) would have crashed." Federal guidelines call for operating drones no more than 400 feet above the ground. The helicopter pilot descended and turned to his right after spotting the approximately 3-foot-wide drone, which had a triangular lighting pattern and one light in the center, said Mercy Flights' Steve Deaton, director of flight operations. Swan did not see where the drone headed. "It was on a converging path with us and headed directly toward us," said Swan. "If I had been climbing much more at the point where it was, we would have collided, or if he had been descending faster." Swan was flying to Yreka, Calif., when he encountered the drone at 10 minutes past midnight. His airspeed was about 110 knots. Two other staffers were on the helicopter, which was on its way to transport a patient from Fairchild Medical Center in Yreka. Operators of drones, which are technically unmanned aircraft systems, must obtain approval from air traffic control for the area and from the airport tower when they fly within five miles of an airport. On Aug. 29, Federal Aviation Administration rules will go into effect that call for operations at 400 feet or below for recreational drones. Flights can occur only from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Drones must yield the right of way to manned aircraft and be within the operator's line of sight at all times. "I've seen a few around. They are becoming increasingly common. We are seeing them at night more often," said Swan, who speculates more may be out after sundown when there is less scrutiny. Swan said he and his crew had spotted one other drone operating in general aviation airspace relatively close to the Medford airport. Another time they spotted a drone that may or may not have been in restricted space, he said. "Here at the airport, we haven't had any near misses," said airport Director Bern Case. "We did recover a crashed drone near the airport that somebody turned in to us." When people who want to fly the machines call the airport, airport administration refers them to the tower, which gives them instructions or guidance or asks them to not fly, said Case. "So far we have been very fortunate," said Case, adding he hadn't heard of any drone issues at other Southern Oregon airports. "This is the first one I'm aware of that Mercy Flights has experienced, but drones are becoming more and more popular, so our pilots are advised to maintain a high degree of vigilance," said Deaton. Swan reported the incident to Seattle flight control at the time. The following day, Deaton reported it to the FAA Portland-Hillsboro Flight Standards District Office. An FAA report covering drone-aircraft encounters from Aug. 21, 2015, through Jan. 31 showed 582 reports nationwide. "It's only a matter of time before there is going to be an accident," said Swan. "Some of them may not be aware or maybe they are scofflaws." Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] . Most Popular Medford gun supporters prepare for ballot showdown Apr 21 at 5:04 PM Police: Cat killed during fight between couple Apr 19 at 6:36 PM A long view of home Apr 19 at 6:56 PM Letters to the Editor, April 21 Apr 23 at 7:31 AM Ashland magician Harry Anderson went on to TV success Apr 18 at 5:42 PM Woman charged in $7,000 Victoria's Secret underwear theft Apr 20 at 4:58 PM Man sentenced for raping, assaulting wife Apr 20 at 7:14 AM Medford School District proposes 33 new positions Apr 19 at 7:18 AM Roller Derby benefits kids battling cancer Apr 20 at 5:32 PM Data breach or 'bogeyman'? Apr 23 at 7:32 AM Since You Asked: Abandoned house has been an eyesore for years Apr 18 at 2:01 AM Barry sisters continue rich North Medford softball tradition Apr 21 at 5:31 PM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501