Drone flies near flight path, disrupts several flights at Da Nang Int'l Airport

Data showed that the drone approached within 60-70 meters of the flight path, a distance considered extremely hazardous.

A source from the airport told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday that an unauthorized drone flight near the airport disrupted multiple flight operations.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred at around 10:00 am on Thursday, near Pham Hung Street in Hoa Xuan Ward.

Officials at the airport detected a drone flying just over 200 feet (approximately 60-70 meters) from the runway.

The drone reached an altitude of over 400 meters, well within the airport’s controlled airspace.

Air traffic controllers were forced to suspend runway operations for more than one hour and 30 minutes, affecting 19 flights that were scheduled to take off or land during this period.

The source also said that after the drone was detected, the airport coordinated with local officials in Hoa Xuan Ward to search the area.

However, the operator had already retrieved the device and left the scene.

Preliminary investigation showed that the drone may have been a homemade device, unlicensed, and lacking a system to prevent it from flying near no-fly zones.

Flying drones near airports is a serious violation of aviation safety regulations.

If the operator is identified, criminal prosecution may be considered as a deterrent.

Meanwhile, the Hoa Xuan Ward administration said that upon receiving the alert, it immediately dispatched forces to check for drone operators around Pham Hung Street and nearby areas, but did not find anyone responsible.