A drone apparently hired to photograph a home for an agent’s particulars has crashed into the property next door.
The incident caused little harm other than damage to the roof of the neighbouring property in south London, before falling to the ground.
However, luck may have played a part with no children playing in the family garden at the time of the incident last Saturday. It appears there had been an outdoor family event a little earlier that day.
The incident has caused considerable concern, the BBC reported yesterday evening in a story it flagged up as “flying out of control”.
The owner of the neighbouring property, which has been left with a hole in the roof, said that it could have been a different outcome had children been in the garden.
Ilona Davidson says she is keeping her own small child inside for now.
Apart from safety issues, she said that she is also uncomfortable with a drone flying over “a personal, private space”.
The drone, doing work for an unnamed agent, was said to be piloted remotely by someone with the correct Civil Aviation Authority licence. The BBC named the company behind the drone as Media Picture and said the company had no comment. Media Picture stresses that all its pilots have correct authorisation, and are experienced and careful.
The incident reignites concerns about the use of drones, used by some agents to take aerial photography, particularly where drones are used over built-up areas.
It is understood that there will be an investigation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06bpsbd/bbc-london-news-24092015#playt=0h19m07s
Comments (21)
Should’ve gone to Specsavers…..
Drones are safe, it’s some of the operators who are not……
Absolutely to licensing, in fact, i think all drone users should have an induction course. Battery management and understanding environmental factors are essential to safety and yes, they can really hurt, damage, or set fire to things if they fall from the sky.
Property Ear, no not on RR’s payroll, but I did present at Videa15 and it’s my business making videos for EAs. I believe in video marketing and would love to chat to you, no obligation at all. With video you will have plenty of opportunity to provide good old fashioned customer service because, you’ll have MORE instructions. Video’s for vendors – 7 out of 10 of them want an agent using video. With higher commissions and better customer retention, you could get to Spain even more often!
You’re a very good salesman LZ – you’ve got me thinking now!
PropertyEar, Haha! More passion than salesman here :-} I’d be delighted to share my knowledge (and stats) when you’re ready for more food for thought! Did you read PIE’s piece about Video15 last week? Worth searching for. Very compelling.
Happy to oblige: http://www.propertyindustryeye.com/conference-showcases-the-best-in-video/
Worth noting what Fine & Country get in fees – and they use great video.
LouZoipa – you should be properly marketing to agents through EYE. Give me a call and we’ll show you how cost effective we are 🙂
Thank you for posting the link Nick, much appreciated.
I’ll have a look at bedtime LZ – Thank you, although old fashioned, I still like to know what going on around me – esp drones!!
Yup. They are safe as, er, houses. Just ask Enrique Iglesias 😉
I know i will be shot down (Pun intended)
Is this really an issue?
A model plane that takes a pic of a property falls onto a roof nobody is hurt.
I have seen lots of people saying “You need a licence” but really its a bit of plastic!
We already live in a nanny state, its not like the sky’s are full of these things and are congested.
What next licensing a kite in case you get it caught round a child?
Whatever happen to good old common sense?
You can’t get a certificate in common sense, there is nothing to police and therefore no employment or profit.
Flying in a terrace. Blimey! The operator should have contacted all properties within 50 metres and either asked the occupiers to go out, or stay in, during the flight. So I would say they were not complying with their CAA permission. The 50m rule is essential for safety, our CAA permissions and is also polite. The information in the news piece is also incorrect, under 7kg, like the drone pictured, these can fly in London and built up areas, providing they are 50 meters from property, vehicles and people not under their control (ie informed them) – which this clearly was not.
PSE, I agree with you, drones can be very dangerous and far too many people have no idea about manual mode, or how to use it if they’ve got themselves into danger. The Inspire (the one in the picture) is actually quite complicated to fly properly and takes skill. I’d like to know more about what happened.There should be some sort of training for all owners, and a register of keepers. I worry about the battery maintenance too, I’ve not met one non-commercial owner who has read about battery care.
Property Ear, good to learn you’re still in the 20th century, your competitors must be delighted. I’d be happy to share with you why video /drones should be an essential part of your marketing strategy nowadays – I rather enjoy a challenge :-}
Hi Louzoipa – are you on Richard Rawlings payroll?!
In many ways, living in the c20th is a good thing – Most of our clients love the good old fashioned approach. I’m spending my profits on flying over to Spain every few weeks, not into some poor bug….s roof!
Drones my ****! Too much information these days – give’em a couple of good photographs and the floorplan to get ’em in and then do a good job as a salesman!
Hi I myself fly drones, not for commercial use though.I’d just like to note that I also fly radio controlled Helicopters which take a lot of skill, I’m not talking about Helicopters from Maplins and Amazon. To fly at Public events I had to take a BMFA ( British Model Flying Association) ‘B’ TEST,This shows that you have full control of your aircraft.90% of Drones fly them selves, anybody can fly them. I myself personally say that all Drone flyers should have a test similar to BMFA ‘B’ TEST, That is to be tested and fly Drones not in GPS mode or ALTITUDE mode where they fly them selves BUT MANUAL MODE to see if they first can fly there Drone, in full control in all directions. If model Helicopter pilots also not forgetting Model Plane flyers have to go through a very vigorous test to show there skill in control of there craft and then have a certificate to show they are safe then all Drone pilots should also do similar test!!.
How about that another BMFA B (Heli) pilot! there really aren’t very many of us (I’m B cert fixed wing too!) BMFA rules prohibit us flying within 500 metres of buildings which reduces the chances of accidents like this.
Me BMFA examiner (small world) and as you both should know not only does the pilot have to have CAA authority, they also have to have a CAA licence and flight scheduled logged with ATC before flying as it is commercial use and treated no different than a 747 Jumbo flying overhead. The BMFA warned everyone the fines if you fly or crash are horrendous.
A small world indeed! You have to wonder why a terraced house? in a built up residential area needed droning and why however was being paid thought it a good idea.
Woodentop, no CAA licence, just a Permit for Aerial Work from the CAA and a drone qualification via one of the now many National Qualifying Entities. To fly in south London, yes probably contact with ATC. It’s the lack of notification to other properties that is utterly wrong – 50m bubble – should have gone door to door before filming day and again on day.
Splitting hairs here but each commercial flight requires CAA authority, and a CAA commercial licence to operate (that is your drone qualification). Also CAP and ANO regulations prohibit flying of this type does it not? Just because a pilot is qualified doesn’t allow him to go crashing into things, a drone is treated no different to a commercial airliner/pilot.
To much ado about nothing methinks!