Nanaimo Airport. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Airport. (News Bulletin file photo)

RCMP notified after drone comes too close to plane landing at Nanaimo Airport

Incident last Thursday didn't impact flight

  • Apr. 29, 2020 12:00 a.m.

A drone came close enough to cause concern to the crew of a plane landing at Nanaimo Airport last week.

According to Transport Canada’s civil aviation daily occurrence reporting system, the incident happened during the daytime Thursday, April 23.

A Jazz de Havilland plane travelling from Vancouver International Airport to Nanaimo Airport was turning toward the runway when it reported a drone “at the same altitude, just off their left wing [and the pilot] advised it was close to the aircraft.”

The drone was described as black, small to medium size, thought to be for personal use.

There was no operational impact to the flight and RCMP were notified.

According to Transport Canada’s website, drones cannot be flown within 5.6 kilometres from airports, must be kept outside of controlled air space, and shouldn’t be flown “anywhere near airplanes, helicopters and other drones.”

READ ALSO: Airline has ‘close call’ with drone while en route to B.C. airport


editor@nanaimobulletin.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Nanaimo News Bulletin