A remote pilot is flying at 300 feet AGL when the aircraft stops responding to control inputs. The drone enters its preprogrammed failsafe and begins a slow automatic descent. What is the remote pilot's primary responsibility at this point?

Question

Accepted Answer

Monitor the aircraft's descent path, warn any people on the ground who may be below it, and attempt to reestablish the link while the failsafe executes. A lost link event does not end the remote PIC's responsibility for safety. The aircraft is still in the air and still poses a hazard. Under § 107.19, the remote PIC must maintain safety of the operation at all times. During a failsafe descent, the PIC should attempt link recovery, monitor the descent path for obstacles and people, and actively manage the landing zone. Contacting ATC is not a Part 107 requirement for a lost link event. Waiting passively is a failure of PIC duty.

Answer

Immediately contact the nearest ATC facility to report the lost link event

Answer

Document the failure and wait for the aircraft to land before taking any action