A Torrey Pines hang glider was recently forced to make an emergency landing when a drone became entwined in his parachute.
The hang glider, who posted a Go-Pro video of the run in on YouTube, told Fox 5 News the collision caused two tears to the parachute and cut two lines, among other damages. But he says he was not injured in the incident.
Civilian drone operations are barred in the area of the Torrey Pines State Reserve from Del Mar’s 6th Street in the north and the glider port in the south due to its “natural reserve” designation, according to park rangers.
Federal officials say it is generally legal to fly a drone in non-controlled air spaces if it is operated under 400 feet, avoids all other aircraft — like hang gliders — and abides by other rules mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as state and local authorities.
According to the hang glider’s flight log, the collision appeared to have occurred while he was hovering around 400 feet in the air. The hang glider told Fox 5 News that he reported the incident to both the FAA and San Diego Police Department.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images