West Fort Hill – Someone operated a remote-controlled drone near the Graham County Emergency Medical Services base between 9-10 p.m. Aug. 23, as a medical helicopter was at the base preparing to transport a patient with a serious medical condition.
A drone can cause all sorts of problems for aircraft, ranging from flight delays, to damage that could ground the aircraft – or worse, cause the aircraft to crash.
Graham County Emergency Services Director Brian Stevens said the flight crew spotted the drone’s warning lights in the nighttime sky. The helicopter was on the ground and the crew was in the process of loading a trauma patient.
He did not have information about the patient, other than to know that the patient’s condition was serious enough to require a helicopter ride to a trauma center.
Graham County Emergency Services posted a public advisory on its Facebook page alerting the public about the incident.
In the post, Emergency Services said, “Last night around 9:00 p.m. Graham County EMS responded to a medical emergency that required the patient to be airlifted from the Graham County EMS base. While the medical helicopter was at the EMS base, it was discovered that someone was operating an Unmanned Aircraft System commonly known as a ‘Drone’ in a close proximity to the medical aircraft and to the EMS base helipad. PLEASE DO NOT FLY YOUR DRONE NEAR OTHER AIRCRAFT OR NEAR THE EMS BASE!!!!!
“This not only endangers the safety of the flight crews, EMS crews, ground team members, and the patient, but operating a drone in this manner will delay patient care. The medical helicopters will not enter the area if it is known a drone is present.
If a drone makes contact with the other aircraft, no matter how slight, the medical aircraft will be grounded until the safety and airworthiness of the helicopter can be guaranteed.
“Drones are fun. Drones are neat. But please remember ‘IF YOU FLY THEN THEY CAN’T’!!!”