Volusia Sheriff’s OfficeAround 2 p.m. today, a helicopter with Leading Edge Helicopter Tours struck a drone flying in the area of the Daytona Beach Flea Market (1425 Tomoka Farms Road).The helicopter was able to land safely, but damage to its rotor blade was estimated at $60,000. The drone was destroyed.Deputies made contact with both the helicopter pilot and the drone operator on the scene.The drone operator indicated he was using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro to record video for a construction company at a height of about 180 feet. He was looking down at his tablet when he heard a loud impact, and then noticed his drone was no longer in the air.The helicopter pilot reported he saw the drone through his windshield just before impact but was unable to avoid it.The NTSB and FAA were notified of the incident.Drone/UAS operators, if you aren’t already aware of the Know Before You Fly campaign, please check it out and familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations intended to prevent these types of incidents.
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