A Scots air ambulance returning from a hospital drop off came within 150 metres of crashing into a drone, a report has found.
The helicopter was travelling over Kelty in Fife at around 2.15pm on April 17 when a paramedic on board spotted the device outside the pilot’s window.
The drone was also noticed by a medic in the rear of the EC135 helicopter who confirmed it was a quadcopter-type drone.
A message was sent to Air Traffic Control who warned other aircraft in the area of the sighting but no further trace of the drone was found.
An investigation into the shocking incident was launched by the UK Airprox Board who found that safety had been compromised during the incident.
In a report, they said: “The EC135 pilot reports being on the return leg to base from a HEMS task after dropping the patient at hospital.
“Approaching the Kelty VRP at 1500ft QNH they were talking to Edinburgh Approach when the front seat paramedic gesticulated and pointed out of the pilot’s window.
“The pilot did not see the conflict but both front and rear paramedics confirmed it as a quadcopter-type drone which passed down the right hand side of the aircraft at between 100m and 150m distance, and only slightly below their level (1500ft altitude – approximately 1000ft agl – at that point).
“There was no time for avoiding action, the threat had passed before they would have had time to react.
“The encounter was reported to Edinburgh Approach before leaving the frequency. When [the EC145] was abeam Portmoak, the crew requested a frequency change to Perth.
“In reply, the crew reported a drone in the vicinity of Kelty at a height of 1000ft. The controller acknowledged the drone and [the EC135 pilot] left the frequency.
“The controller informed the next aircraft that was routing via Kelty of the drone report. On passing Kelty, [the pilot] reported no obvious sign of any drone-type aircraft.”
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