Removal cost $30,000-$35,000: Wayward drone tangles with Seattle high-voltage line
Seattle City Light workers prepare to remove the drone from a high-voltage transmission line.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Seattle City Light crews freed a drone Saturday that had been stuck in a high-voltage transmission line over Lake Union for nearly a week.
"This like the I-5 of the power industry," said Bernie Ziemianek, Seattle City Light.
The drone was spotted in the line on May 24th, Ziemianek said.
On Saturday, crews de-energized the line and raised a large basket into place as curious neighbors looked on. It took a few minutes for two workers to slide across the line and free the drone.
"We were hopeful that maybe the wind would help us and get it out, but as you can see… it stayed up there for about a week," said Ziemianek.
Ziemianek said the entire effort to remove the drone cost about $30,000-35,000. The amount includes the man-power to remove it and the hours spent over the past several days to come up with a plan to make sure no customers were impacted by the work, he said.
"An unfortunate expense for all of us, but other than that… for me… more amusing that somebody doesn't know how to fly their new toy," said Webb Stevens, who lives nearby.
The mishap is the latest in a string of potentially dangerous encounters involving drones as they continue to grow in popularity.
A pilot had to pull a plane up 200 feet Friday to avoid hitting a drone as it approached New York's LaGuardia Airport, officials said.
Drone use has also prompted many questions about privacy.
The Federal Aviation Administration is currently working on new rules. Right now, anyone operating a drone is advised to stay below 400 feet and away from airports, officials said.
Seattle City Light officials said drones should also be kept away from transmission lines.
"Whether you're flying a drone or a radio-controlled helicopter or plane or even a kite, pay attention to where the power lines are at. Consider this a no-fly zone," said Scott Thomsen, Seattle City Light.
Seattle police are now looking into how the drone got into the transmission line, officials said.
Story and photo: http://www.komonews.com