RPC Emergency Procedures & Accidents 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote pilot's sUAS experiences a motor failure at 200 ft AGL over a suburban neighborhood. What is the FIRST priority?
- Guide the aircraft toward the least-populated area available (Correct answer)
- Attempt to restart the motor while maintaining altitude
- Land immediately at the nearest open space regardless of obstacles
- Call 911 to warn ground personnel
Correct answer: Guide the aircraft toward the least-populated area available
The primary duty is to minimize risk to people; steering toward the least-populated area reduces potential casualties.
Question 2: What property damage dollar amount to a single object (other than the sUAS itself) triggers a mandatory FAA accident report under Part 107.9?
- More than $500 (Correct answer)
- More than $1,000
- More than $2,500
- Any amount greater than $0
Correct answer: More than $500
Part 107.9 specifies that damage exceeding $500 to any single object other than the sUAS itself requires an accident report.
Question 3: During a flight, a remote pilot notices the video feed freezes and the aircraft stops responding to control inputs. This is BEST described as:
- A lost-link (flyaway) emergency requiring immediate contingency action (Correct answer)
- Normal GPS hover hold that will resolve automatically
- A firmware update downloading in the background
- An expected behavior during Return-to-Home activation
Correct answer: A lost-link (flyaway) emergency requiring immediate contingency action
Loss of control link is a lost-link emergency; the pilot should follow pre-planned contingency procedures immediately.
Question 4: Which pre-flight planning step BEST prepares a remote pilot for a lost-link emergency?
- Programming a lost-link failsafe action such as Return-to-Home or hover-and-land (Correct answer)
- Carrying a spare transmitter to switch frequencies mid-flight
- Filing a NOTAM so ATC can take control of the aircraft
- Increasing the video downlink bandwidth for better situational awareness
Correct answer: Programming a lost-link failsafe action such as Return-to-Home or hover-and-land
Programming a lost-link failsafe before flight ensures the aircraft takes a predetermined safe action if the control link is lost.
Question 5: A remote pilot experiences a battery warning at 15% capacity while the drone is 0.5 miles away. What is the safest course of action?
- Begin an immediate return flight to the launch point (Correct answer)
- Continue the mission and land when the battery reaches 5%
- Climb to maximum altitude to extend glide range
- Hover in place and wait for wind to assist in return
Correct answer: Begin an immediate return flight to the launch point
A 15% battery at significant distance requires immediate return to avoid a forced landing in an uncontrolled area.
Question 6: An sUAS catches fire during flight and falls into a dry field, igniting grass. After ensuring personal safety, what should the remote pilot do NEXT?
- Call 911 and notify local fire authorities immediately (Correct answer)
- File an FAA accident report before taking any other action
- Attempt to retrieve the burning drone to prevent further damage
- Post a warning on social media to keep people away
Correct answer: Call 911 and notify local fire authorities immediately
An active fire is a public safety emergency requiring immediate notification of fire services to prevent escalation.
Question 7: Under Part 107, which authority can a remote pilot-in-command invoke to deviate from regulations in an in-flight emergency?
- The emergency authority under 14 CFR 107.21 to the extent necessary to meet the emergency (Correct answer)
- Any deviation authority granted by the ground crew
- The emergency authority is not available to remote pilots, only manned aircraft pilots
- The waiver authority pre-approved by the FAA for that specific operation
Correct answer: The emergency authority under 14 CFR 107.21 to the extent necessary to meet the emergency
14 CFR 107.21 grants remote PICs emergency authority to deviate from Part 107 to the minimum extent necessary to respond to the emergency.
RPC Emergency Procedures & Accidents 3
A remote pilot's sUAS experiences a motor failure at 200 ft AGL over a suburban neighborhood.
What is the FIRST priority?