The NTSB cited a drone pilot's decision to fly past line of sight, above 400 feet, and into an active TFR as causes and contributors to the September 21 collision between a private DJI Phanton 4 sUAS and a U.S. Army Black Hawk over Hoffman Island in New York Harbor. The helicopter sustained minor damage and landed without incident; the sUAS, operated by Vyacheslav Tantashov, 58, of Brooklyn, was destroyed. Tantashov was identified from registration numbers recovered from the drone's wreckage and cooperated with investigators. The interview required a Russian translator.
The collision occurred at an altitude of 300 feet msl at 7:20 p.m., two minutes before the end of civil twilight. The helicopter was cleared to operate within the TFR. It was over water and not near vessels and therefore was in compliance with FAA regulations and Army guidelines. The helicopter pilot took evasive action but it was too late to avoid the collision.
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