Drone Operator Located in Blackhawk Drone Strike

AOPA has published a better article on this story: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/october/05/drone-pilot-provides-data-from-black-hawk-midair

It appears that the drone pilot did NOT turn himself in and was found by NTSB investigators, perhaps with assistance from the Drone manufacturer. NTSB investigators are only charged with gathering data and the likely disciplinary or criminal actions against the pilot will involve other agencies.

"The NTSB announced Oct. 5 that the motor arm recovered from the helicopter after the incident was identified as belonging to a DJI Phantom 4, and investigators were able in the days following the incident to identify and interview the Phantom’s pilot, who has turned over flight data from the drone."

I see two outcomes. The drone operator will be made an example of and busted big time or it will be quietly swept under the mat with the copter being too low.

Congress authorized the FAA to restart drone registration requirement. Effective immediately.

Happened again this time commercial http://www.flyingmag.com/drone-hits-commercial-aircraft-in-canada?src=SOC&dom=fb

Congress has authorized the FAA to restart the drone registration requirement. Effective immediately.

If this is true, I am glad that they found the drone pilot so that all facts can be determined. I wish the article stated how investigators "identified" the drone operator. If (s)he turn themselves in, hooray. If not, BOOOO!

This article is pretty weak. This statement in particular is poor journalism and indicates the journalist either did not perform simple research or has a bias: "It is unclear if any FAA regulations were broken by the drone operator." More reputable news organizations have reported the flight as "illegal". An examination of the appropriate regs shows that at least one, if not multiple, violations occured. Drone operators are required to see and avoid all manned aircraft flights, no matter at what altitude. Obvious violation of that reg occured. It has been reported that a TFR existed at the time of the accident that prohibited drone flights from the surface on up. I have not confirmed, but if true, another violation.

The mainstream news outlets have not seemed to pick up on this. I found this, one which looks a little more professional: https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/drone-helicopter-new-york-collision/

Here is a new report of an actual drone collision with an aircraft. This one in Canada, and the aircraft was on final approach: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/16/a-commercial-airplane-collided-with-a-drone-in-canada-a-first-in-north-america/?utm_term=.91aa613d2a6f

Particularly pertinent is this comment: "Greg McConnell, the national chairman of the Canadian Federal Pilots’ Association, told CTV News that the incident “was just a matter of time.”
“There are a lot of drones flying, and there are a lot of people flying drones thinking they’re toys,” McConnell added."

I want to follow this and see what the final outcome is.