Lang
12/18/19
A drone crashed into an Iowa City mobile home park Wednesday afternoon, although police say there were no injuries.
According to a news release from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and the Hills Fire Department responded to the crash site on Bayridge Drive in the Lake Ridge manufactured housing community around 1pm. An investigation determined the pilot had been operating the drone at the Iowa City airport when there was an equipment malfunction. It crashed into a yard, causing an estimated $100 in damage to lawn ornaments. The drone was a total loss at an estimated $300,000.
The sheriff’s office says the drone had a wingspan of 18 feet, weighed 100 pounds and had a 100cc engine with a rear propeller. Both the NTSB and FAA were made aware of the accident, although drone crashes under 300 pounds are not investigated by the FAA.