Feds investigating collision between drone, Army helicopter

Federal investigators are probing a mid-air collision between a civilian drone and an Army helicopter, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced Thursday.

The collision, which occurred on Sept. 21 just east of Staten Island, N.Y., occurred between a small drone and an Army UH-60 helicopter.

The helicopter sustained damage to its main rotor blade, window frame and transmission deck, the NTSB said, but was able to land safely. A motor and arm from a small drone were recovered from the helicopter.

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The NTSB is leading the probe because a civilian drone was involved, and the federal investigation began as soon as the agency was notified. Investigators have interviewed the drone operator and obtained flight data logs from the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the drone company DJI are also participating in the investigation, while the Army is conducting a separate probe.