Drone Collides with Helicopter in Volusia County, Causing $60K Damage

By Dhivya Easwarasamy On Dec 31, 2023

Drone Collides with Helicopter in Volusia County, Causing $60K Damage

There was a crash between a tour helicopter and a drone that was flying near the Daytona Beach Flea Market. A news report said that the crash caused thousands of dollars in damage to the helicopter.

According to Volusia County authorities, the drone was struck by a helicopter belonging to Leading Edge Helicopter Tours on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., approximately 180 feet into the air.

Around 2 p.m. today, a helicopter with Leading Edge Helicopter Tours struck a drone flying in the area of the Daytona Beach Flea Market (1425 Tomoka Farms Rd) The helicopter was able to land safely, but damage to its rotor blade was estimated at $60,000. The drone was destroyed:

Around 2 p.m. today, a helicopter with Leading Edge Helicopter Tours struck a drone flying in the area of the Daytona Beach Flea Market (1425 Tomoka Farms Rd)
The helicopter was able to land safely, but damage to its rotor blade was estimated at $60,000. The drone was destroyed. pic.twitter.com/C7HXM7aTU4
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) December 31, 2023

The press statement states that at the scene, near 1425 Tomoka Farms Road, deputies were able to speak with the pilot of the helicopter and the operator of the drone.

When the collision occurred, the drone operator told deputies he was using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro to record footage for a construction company.

According to the press release, “He was looking down at his tablet when he heard a loud impact, then noticed his drone was no longer in the air.”

The helicopter was able to land safely, according to deputies, but the estimated damage to its rotor blade was $60,000. The drone was ruined.

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The pilot of the helicopter stated that he was unable to escape the drone even though he saw it via his glass moments before it crashed.

The incident was reported to the FAA and NTSB.