Drone near helicopter posed 'no collision risk'

A drone passed within about 200ft (60m) of the helicopter off the Aberdeenshire coast

An investigation has concluded there was no collision risk after a helicopter pilot reported a drone passing about 200 ft (60m) from the aircraft off the Aberdeenshire coast.

The incident happened on 14 August this year - 10 miles (16km) off the coast of Peterhead as the flight travelled towards Aberdeen.

The multiple rotor drone was seen for only a few seconds by the pilot of the EC175 helicopter, before it disappeared under the aircraft's nose.

The UK Airprox Board (UKAB), which assesses near-miss reports, rated the incident as a C - with A being the most serious.

The helicopter crew said the drone was "relatively small" in size.

There was no record of any permission being sought to fly the remotely-operated device in the area.

The next aircraft along the flight path chose to take a later descent as a result of the incident and the helicopter's crew provided statements to the police.

The UKAB considered that although safety had been reduced, there had been no risk of collision.

Police Scotland said it had been made aware of the drone flying in the area and inquiries were continuing.

In a separate incident, the pilot of a fixed wing Embraer aircraft thought there a was a "high" risk of collision between it, and a helicopter, near Aberdeen on 11 May.

However, the board said it was satisfied that the actions taken by each party involved had ensured that no risk of collision had existed.