WINNIPEG — Authorities in Winnipeg are investigating a close encounter between a passenger plane and a drone that police say was bigger and higher up than unmanned air vehicles normally fly.
Const. Rob Carver says the plane, which he believes was a turboprop, was preparing to land on Saturday afternoon at James Richardson International Airport.
At about 900 metres, the pilot reported seeing a drone which came within only 25 metres of the plane.
The plane was able to land safely.
Carver says Nav Canada was able to direct police to the vicinity of the University of Manitoba campus where they believed the drone may have originated, but nothing was found.
He says the drone was likely about a metre across, and appeared like it was being directed to fly close to the plane.
"This is big enough that it got picked up on radar," Carver said Sunday. "I guess what's really concerning is that a regular drone wouldn't go up to 900 metres."
"Someone was doing this. This isn't something that had gone astray."
Police are reminding drone owners that large portions of Winnipeg are controlled air space, and that operating them for personal use is subject to Transport Canada restrictions.
Transport Canada recommends that recreational drone users keep their flights to below 90 metres, and at least nine kilometres away from any airport, helipad or seaplane base.
If a drone is being flown for work or research, or is larger than 35 kilograms, a special flight operations certificate is required.
