Hollywood Man Accused of Crashing Drone Into LAPD Chopper: FBI

HOLLYWOOD, CA — FBI special agents arrested a 22-year-old Hollywood man on Thursday after saying a drone he operated crashed into a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter. Andrew Rene Hernandez was charged with a misdemeanor count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, and is expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Prosecutors said the helicopter was providing air support to LAPD officers on the ground during a burglary call at a pharmacy on September 18. While approaching the pharmacy, the pilot saw the drone and attempted to avoid it, but collided with the drone and was forced to make an emergency landing, according to the complaint.

Court papers said the drone damaged the helicopter's nose, antenna and bottom cowlings, and said "if the drone had struck the helicopter's main rotor instead of the fuselage, it could have brought the helicopter down."

Parts of the drone were later located near the pharmacy, some of which damaged a nearby vehicle according to LAPD. Prosecutors said a review of the SD card identified Hernandez as the owner.

Court papers show Hernandez later admitted to flying the drone when the FBI served a search warrant in late October. According to the complaint, Hernandez heard police vehicles and a helicopter and flew his drone over to "see what was going on."

According to the Department of Justice, this is believed to be the first-ever criminal case in America related to the unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft. Hernandez could spend up to a year in federal prison if convicted, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

City News Service contributed to this report.