State police investigating who shot a drone over Lynchburg airport
Drone was used for identifying potential hazards to aircrafts
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LYNCHBURG, Va. – Virginia State Police need your help to find the person responsible for shooting a drone as it flew over the Lynchburg Regional Airport.
The drone was hit several times on Oct. 6, 2020, according to police, as it was surveying and identifying potential hazards to aircraft, a safety measure for passengers and crew members, according to aviation officials.
The drone was following FAA standards.
“There’re many standards that are basically used to protect surroundings of an airport for safety, for keeping what’s called ‘approach surfaces’ clear,” explained Vernon Carter, the manager of security and facilities for the Virginia Department of Aviation.
State police ask for help in damaged drone investigation
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office, in cooperation with the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation, is seeking the public’s assistance with information regarding a drone that was shot several times in Campbell County.
The incident occurred Oct. 6, 2020 when contractors, working for the Virginia Department of Aviation, launched a specialized surveying drone south of the Lynchburg Regional Airport. Minutes after lift-off, the operators heard gunshots and communication with the drone was lost. The operators were able to re-establish communication with the drone and programmed it to return to the airport. The drone had sustained significant damage consistent with being struck by gunfire. Flight data downloaded from the drone indicate it was near the 1200 block of Lynbrook Road in Rustburg when it was shot down.
Lynchburg could break a historic snow drought this week
Hill City residents haven’t seen snow in nearly two years, but that could change Friday
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Lynchburg area snow drought (Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.)
LYNCHBURG, Va. – While Lynchburg residents may have been singing ‘Let It Snow’ this past holiday season, Mother Nature did not listen to their calls as areas to the west enjoyed a White Christmas. In fact, the Hill City is in the midst of an incredibly long snowless streak: 669 days as of Wednesday.
The last time Lynchburg got measurable snow? March 8, 2019, when 1.4 inches of the white stuff was recorded at the official climate site at Lynchburg Regional Airport.