The operator of the drone that crashed into a One North apartment will face charges

COURT FEES AND WARNINGS, SECURITY ACTIONS

CAAS said it takes violations “seriously.”

H3 Dynamics will be prosecuted under the Air Navigation Act for using UA in a way that it reasonably knew would endanger the life or property of another person.

If the company is found guilty, it could face fines of up to A$100,000 ($76,000).

The person who carried out the test flights was given a 12-month conditional warning for flying a drone without a UA pilot licence.

Another UA pilot involved in the flight also received a 12-month conditional warning for not actively using the CFMS application during UA operations.

Following the incident, CAAS conducted two on-site audits at H3 Dynamics in August and September, respectively, and issued four corrective action notices to the company requiring it to review its operational controls and ensure compliance with the CAAS-approved operations manual.

“H3 Dynamics has completed corrective actions,” CAAS said.

“These included updating training requirements for UA pilots and strengthening their safety procedures and processes, such as introducing safeguards to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.”

CAAS said it “assessed H3 Dynamics’ remedial actions and is satisfied that H3 Dynamics is able to meet regulatory requirements to conduct a limited scope of UA activities.”

As of Friday, the suspension imposed on H3 Dynamics will be lifted by CAAS, although the scope of its operator permit will be limited to aerial photography and videography only.

“H3 Dynamics will no longer be permitted to conduct unmanned aircraft operations for flight test and flight demonstration purposes.”

As UA resumes operations, the company will also be subject to increasingly frequent security audits, CAAS said.

Since no safety issues were identified with the base Hexadrone TUNDRA 2 model, its suspension has also been lifted.

On July 23, CAAS initiated an industry-wide security review and required all UA operator permit holders to review their security procedures and processes

On Friday, CAAS said all UA operator permit holders had completed safety reviews.

The authority has improved its guidance materials “to provide greater transparency in flight test operations and UA modifications.” Safety oversight of UA operator permit holders who modify UA and conduct flight tests has also been improved through on-site audits.