KY. man shoots down drone...

[Lumber_Jack]

Despite what he's showing now, several days after the fact, I'm still suspicious of it. The police should have verified both stories before handing the drone off without checking it.

 

I agree.  I don't know that the data was or wasn't collected that day, but if it wasn't, I'd consider it compromised.  Anyone with a standard GIS editor could change the tabular data associated with the file, edit the flight path is association with the time data.  unless its protected in some magical format

[KahrMan]

But you can't change the video, which he released.  The video backs up his statements.

[Lumber_Jack]

But you can't change the video, which he released.  The video backs up his statements.

 

That, I didn't see.  Game changer.  So what are these "witnesses" supposedly corroborating? Just lying, or blindly vouching for a shotgun wielding neighbor.  

[Hozzie]

Despite what he's showing now, several days after the fact, I'm still suspicious of it. The police should have verified both stories before handing the drone off without checking it.

 

Anything is possible, but having my own experience with these things, I fully believe the drone operator after seeing the video and even the fight path.  While it could have been changed, I don't believe it was in this case.  

In the end, the only opinion that matters is the courts.  

[Hozzie]

That, I didn't see.  Game changer.  So what are these "witnesses" supposedly corroborating? Just lying, or blindly vouching for a shotgun wielding neighbor.  

 

This is the easiest question of all to answer.  See Ferguson, MO.  The answer is both.

Edited July 31, 2015 by Hozzie

[MacGyver]

Speaking as a forensic specialist, it would be hard to change that telemetry data in a way that would both stand up to both the laws of physics and good forensic science.  Even if you could pull off changing the telemetry data, it would be extraordinarily difficult to do so without an actual forensic scientist being able to tell that it had been changed. Especially since there are multiple methods by which to corroborate that change.

[Omega]

But you can't change the video, which he released.  The video backs up his statements.

While it does look damning to the shooter, I would like to see the ACTUAL video, not a google map with overlay.  The drone must of had its camera rolling, that is the footage that will seal the deal with me.

 

Hozzie; does yours have a demo mode?  I am curious to know if you can "fly" and record a flight path in demo mode as you can with some of the high(er) end RC aircraft.

[Hozzie]

It does have a demo mode.  I don't think it records the flight path though.  I will have to check when I get some time.

 

Also, the camera will always send back what it sees, but it doesn't mean it's recording.  You can fly all you want without recording a thing.  If he was just taking photo's it also wouldn't have video.  You can't take video and photo's at the same time.

 

For anyone curious, the model is a DJI Phantom 3 Professional.  

 

Also, just a though.  IF it was actually as close as the shooter says, don't you think in today's day and age someone would have taken cell phone video of it?  Seems we can catch cops shooting people, I would think if I was that annoyed, I would video it myself to show to police.  

Edited July 31, 2015 by Hozzie

[Omega]

It does have a demo mode.  I don't think it records the flight path though.  I will have to check when I get some time.

 

Also, the camera will always send back what it sees, but it doesn't mean it's recording.  You can fly all you want without recording a thing.  If he was just taking photo's it also wouldn't have video.  You can't take video and photo's at the same time.

 

For anyone curious, the model is a DJI Phantom 3 Professional.  

 

Also, just a though.  IF it was actually as close as the shooter says, don't you think in today's day and age someone would have taken cell phone video of it?  Seems we can catch cops shooting people, I would think if I was that annoyed, I would video it myself to show to police.  

Yea, there are always three sides to every incident and am willing to hear all of them, not like my opinion matters but this does highlight what I said about technology.  Many drone owners use these in a responsible manner, but as with all things, someone will find some nefarious uses for it.  Not too surprises about no cell phone images though, while many things do get recorded and go viral there are many that do not and this may be one of them.

[JAB]

...The drone wasn't on or over his property when he shot it...

 

Ummm, from the article linked in the OP:

 

Merideth came outside with a shotgun and saw the drone over the neighbor’s yard and determined not to shoot unless it came back over his property. He said, “Within a minute or so, here it came. It was hovering over top of my property, and I shot it out of the sky.”

 

So, yeah, looks like the drone was over his property when he shot it.

[2.ooohhh]

Ummm, from the article linked in the OP:

 

 

 

 

So, yeah, looks like the drone was over his property when he shot it.

 

Well, the drone was at an altitude of 200 or so feet and it appears the homeowner isn't as familiar with his property line as he might believe. The drone's GPS log is much more accurate than a human is when guessing where that invisible line is up in the sky. My drone gets location accuracy within about 12-18 inches once it locks on to 12+ satellites which is very easy to do at 200 ft.

 

My drone travels at up to 30 miles an hour in flight so it could very easily have only been over a 1 acer lot for a second or two.

Edited July 31, 2015 by 2.ooohhh

[bud]

. Edited August 8, 2015 by bud

[Omega]

Well, the drone was at an altitude of 200 or so feet and it appears the homeowner isn't as familiar with his property line as he might believe. The drone's GPS log is much more accurate than a human is when guessing where that invisible line is up in the sky. My drone gets location accuracy within about 12-18 inches once it locks on to 12+ satellites which is very easy to do at 200 ft.

 

My drone travels at up to 30 miles an hour in flight so it could very easily have only been over a 1 acer lot for a second or two.

The only problem I see with that is that he had enough time to listen to the story, go get his shotgun and then take the shot.  I don't see that happening in 10 seconds let alone the seconds the video showed.  I am still not ready to pick a side entirely, but I will throw the BS flag if I smell it.  I will check the video again later, but I seem to remember him pointing to houses to the bottom left as some of the houses he was supposed to be shooting pics/video of, but he took a course up away from a them toward his rendezvous with destiny. 

[K191145]

Well, the drone was at an altitude of 200 or so feet and it appears the homeowner isn't as familiar with his property line as he might believe. The drone's GPS log is much more accurate than a human is when guessing where that invisible line is up in the sky. My drone gets location accuracy within about 12-18 inches once it locks on to 12+ satellites which is very easy to do at 200 ft.

 

My drone travels at up to 30 miles an hour in flight so it could very easily have only been over a 1 acer lot for a second or two.

 

Well maybe someone who know more about shotgun and load ballistics and patterns, or hunts duck or geese could chime in on this. 

200 feet is 66.66--- yards. That's a pretty decent distance for a shotgun to pattern tight enough, not saying it didn't depending on what loads he was shooting. Also the claim that it was flying and not hovering would make it a difficult shot, for me but maybe not a duck hunter.

Flying object at 200ft./66.5yds. Maybe traveling up to 30mph. What size shot, choke, and how difficult of a shot is that?

[nightrunner]

Well maybe someone who know more about shotgun and load ballistics and patterns, or hunts duck or geese could chime in on this.
200 feet is 66.66--- yards. That's a pretty decent distance for a shotgun to pattern tight enough, not saying it didn't depending on what loads he was shooting. Also the claim that it was flying and not hovering would make it a difficult shot, for me but maybe not a duck hunter.
Flying object at 200ft./66.5yds. Maybe traveling up to 30mph. What size shot, choke, and how difficult of a shot is that?

I haven't bird hunted in a while but while quail and pheasant are close to the ground, they move FAST. I could hit them with regularity. Higher up will be harder but not out of the question.

If he was 65 yards up like they claim as well as it only got hit with one pellet on a propeller and lost altitude and crashed doing the majority of damage, I'd say it's entirely possible

[DaveTN]

Despite what he's showing now, several days after the fact, I'm still suspicious of it. The police should have verified both stories before handing the drone off without checking it.

I wouldn’t have taken it from the victim as evidence; it had no bearing on the charge.

[gjohnsoniv]

I wouldn’t have taken it from the victim as evidence; it had no bearing on the charge.

So no reason to check out stories? Even when the neighbors are in agreement with the guy who shot it? Not even bothering to video, stills, or flight path? Seems like bad police work to me since you wouldn't even have to take it from the victim.

 

ETA: No, you are correct, it had no bearing on the charge.  It seems like it should have been investigated regardless IMO due to the drone being where it was (Supposedly). 

Edited August 1, 2015 by gjohnsoniv

[Sam1]

So no reason to check out stories? Even when the neighbors are in agreement with the guy who shot it? Not even bothering to video, stills, or flight path? Seems like bad police work to me since you wouldn't even have to take it from the victim.

 

Someone had already taken the memory card from it when it crashed, there really wouldn't be anything else stored on the drone would there?  I mean if it had bullet damage or not, they already had admission from the shooter.

[gjohnsoniv]

Someone had already taken the memory card from it when it crashed, there really wouldn't be anything else stored on the drone would there?  I mean if it had bullet damage or not, they already had admission from the shooter.

My point isn't whether or not he should have shot it down, he discharged a firearm in city limits, against the law and he admitted it.  I'm more interested in whether the guys flying the drone are telling the whole story or just part of it.  If more info comes out shedding light one direction or the other I have no problem with any direction it takes.

[No_0ne]

Someone had already taken the memory card from it when it crashed, there really wouldn't be anything else stored on the drone would there?  I mean if it had bullet damage or not, they already had admission from the shooter.

 

The SD card records video and still data from the camera, the flight telemetry is stored on the quadcopter itself, and can be downloaded to a computer through the USB port on the quad ...

[OldHat63]

A question....  Does the FAA have an established Minimum Ceiling for civilian aircraft over populated areas?

 

If so, I would think that it would apply to drones or any other "telepresence" not on "official business" or otherwise without the property owner's permission. ( A warrant should be required for that Official Business, BTW. )

 

In other words, anybody flying a drone over somebody else's property below a certain altitude should have to deal with the same rules or laws as any other trespasser.

 

Anyway, if there's no such minimum, maybe there should be, and maybe it should also be applied to drones or other AC aircraft....

Edited August 1, 2015 by OldHat63

[bersaguy]

I saw on the news this morning that a drone flew within 100 feet of an airliner that was trying to land at some airport and Pilot almost had to abort landing. I don't have any objections to big boys and their toys but I think Big boys need to grow up when it comes to safety and respect of other people. If they cannot fly their toys and respect the feelings of others and safety of others then they should be arrested and charged accordingly.............jmho

[OldHat63]

I saw on the news this morning that a drone flew within 100 feet of an airliner that was trying to land...

 

This, maybe?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/01/faa-investigating-drone-airplanes-jfk/30985905/

[DaveTN]

In other words, anybody flying a drone over somebody else's property below a certain altitude should have to deal with the same rules or laws as any other trespasser.

Okay, what happens to you if you shoot a trespasser who poses no threat to you?

[DaveTN]

I saw on the news this morning that a drone flew within 100 feet of an airliner that was trying to land at some airport and Pilot almost had to abort landing. I don't have any objections to big boys and their toys but I think Big boys need to grow up when it comes to safety and respect of other people. If they cannot fly their toys and respect the feelings of others and safety of others then they should be arrested and charged accordingly.............jmho

Of course they should be cited by whatever agency has jurisdiction.

The drones that interfered with firefighting aircraft should be heavily fined and if anyone is hurt because they are hampering firefighting efforts they should be charged criminally (as I’m sure they would be if identified).

My guess is that the drones will be required to register and emit an identifiable signal and anyone caught flying one without it will be cited.