A remote pilot is operating a drone commercially over a crowd at a permitted outdoor festival. The operation requires a waiver under § 107.39. While flying, the remote pilot observes the aircraft entering an unanticipated flight mode. What is the highest-priority immediate action?
Why →
Under § 107.19, the remote PIC is responsible for aircraft safety at all times. When an anomaly threatens life safety, immediate action to remove the aircraft from over people is the highest-priority response. More important than diagnosing the cause, completing the mission, or activating automated procedures that may bring the aircraft over the crowd (RTH route). The DECIDE model: Detect (anomaly), Estimate (risk to crowd), Choose (immediate divergence), Do (execute), Evaluate.The trap →
Diagnosing the issue while maintaining altitude continues to expose the crowd to risk. RTH (Choice C) may be inappropriate if the home point is within or near the crowd area. RTH brings the aircraft toward home, not necessarily away from the crowd. The immediate priority is removing the hazard from the crowd.SOURCE → 14 CFR § 107.19, ADM / Crew Resource ManagementCHECKED APR 21ACS V.C.K1MED