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NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) - UAS Safety in Sight

April 2026

What Would You Have Done

Every ASRS report is a learning opportunity. In this issue of UAS Safety In Sight, we present a report from a Commercial UAS Pilot that describes an unexpected turn of events. The report offers an opportunity to explore the sequence of events, the outcomes, and lessons learned. In short, the report offers an opportunity to ask, “What would I have done?”  


To start, we present “The First Half” of an actual ASRS report that describes an event up to a point where a decision was made. We invite you to read the story and then stop and ponder the scenario. Exercise your own judgement to make a decision or determine a possible course of action. Then, read the rest of the story to find out what actions the reporter took. Bear in mind that their decisions may not necessarily represent the best course of action, and there may not be a “right” answer. The selected report may not give all the information you want, but each incident should give you a chance to exercise your decision-making skills. Our intent is to stimulate thought, training, and discussion related to these reported incidents. 

Look Out For That Tree (ACN: 1923706)

A Commercial Drone Operator reported:

The First Half of the Story...

Crash Report: Hull Loss - DJI Mini 2 - Impact with tree. No damage to property. Recreational flying - Licensed UAS Pilot - Class D Airspace 0 to 50 ft. with LAANC Authorization. Winds 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. Mission: Acquire sunset pictures. Decision Error: Attempted to fly between two trees with 15-foot gap at a distance of 200 yards. (Adverse mental state - mission placed above safety, flying an unplanned maneuver.) Temporarily lost sight of drone and immediately went into hover...   


What Would You Have Done Next?

Stop and ponder the scenario.  


Exercise your own judgement to make a decision or determine a possible course of action that might best resolve the situation.  


Then read The Rest of The Story to find out what actions the reporter took.  

...The Rest of the Story

... Operator attempted to reposition to regain sight of drone. Operator was unsuccessful. Operator decided to yaw UAS left 360 degrees to regain situational awareness. Approximately 90 degrees into pivot, discovered that drone was really close to a tree. (Adverse psychological state induced - surprise factor with adrenaline spike). Decision Error: Operator decided to back drone away from tree, prior to completing 360-degree situational awareness pivot. Skill based error (improper control input). Operator applies significant aft control input (still experiencing Adverse psychological state of adrenaline spike). Video image goes wacky followed by loss of signal from drone.  


Impact with other tree. Adverse physical state: blood drains from head, sick to stomach. Adverse psychological state: Operator remembers that he purchased DJI Care package with purchase of UAS. Operator chooses joy. Operator retrieves UAS and returns to Ready Room to tell other pilots not to do this. DON'T DO THIS!!  


Do you agree with the Reporter’s decision or would you have taken a different action? 

ASRS Database Online
To view these reports and other UAS reports, visit the ASRS Database Online: 
ASRS 50th Anniversary

Read the April 2026 issue of CALLBACK to learn more about ASRS origins, operations, and achievements in aviation safety.

Would you like to learn more about the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System?

View this pre-recorded webinar on reporting to ASRS here: 

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NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System
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