Drone Safety Documentation

Title: Emergency Procedures From SkyDrop Drone Safety Operations Manual 

Version of Document: 3.2

Last Updated: January 15,2025

Approved By: Dr.Sarah Kim, Chief Safety Officer 

1: Purpose 

This document explains emergency procedures required for the full operational use of SkyDrop drones. All drone operators must read and understand these procedures before flying any drone.

Who must adhere to this;

1: Remote pilots

2: Ground crew

3: Supervisors of operations 

4: Emergency response teams

2: Classification of Emergencies 

Emergencies are classified into three separate levels namely;

Level 1: Minor Issues 

Examples;

•Low battery warnings (drone can still return back safely)

•Temporarily weak GPS signal 

•Malfunctioning cameras 

Response: Continue mission with caution or return back to base.

Level 2: Serious Issues 

Examples:

•Battery critically low (less than 5 minutes flight time)

•One motor showing signs of reduced power 

•Strong wind currents exceeding safe limits 

•Loss of GPS but other sensors still working.

•Unexpected obstacles detected

Response: Abort mission immediately and return back to base immediately.

Level 3: Critical Emergencies 

Examples:

•Complete power failure 

•Multiple motor failures 

•Detection of smoke

•Collision with either aircraft or building 

•Complete loss of communications 

•Drone flying towards restricted airspace.

Response: Execute emergency landing protocol and notify authorities immediately.

3: Emergency Landing Procedures 

If the drone can't return back to base safely, follow these steps;

Step 1: Assess the Situation 

Ask yourself;

•Can the drone still work?

•Is anyone below in danger?

•What's percentage of the battery is available?

•Is there any safe landing place nearby?

Step 2: Identify Safe Landing Zones 

Safe landing zones in order of preference;

1: Parks,sport fields,empty lots

2: Parking lots

3: Flat rooftops on commercial buildings only

4: Wide sidewalks - Only when there are no pedestrians nearby

Never land on;

1: Roads with moving vehicles

2: Near power plants

3: Areas with large crowds of people 

4: Near airports or helipad

5: Private residential property (unless permitted)

Step 3: Alert Ground Team

Press emergency button on controller. This automatically;

•Forwards the live location of the drone to all team members

•Alerts local authorities 

•Activates drone's emergency lights and sounds

Step 4: Clear the Area 

If people are near the preferred landing zone;

•Activate the drone's loud warning siren

•Use the speaker to announce;”Emergency drone landing. Kindly move away from the area.”

Step 5: Execute Landing 

If drone is controllable:

•Reduce speed to 5 mph

•Descend slowly (not faster than 3 feet per second)

•Land safely on the flattest spot available 

•Shut down all motors immediately after landing.

If drone isn't controllable;

•Activate automatic emergency landing mode

•The AI will select the safest nearby location 

•Parachute deployed automatically if falling too fast.

4: Similar Emergency Scenarios 

Scenario A: Complete Loss of Power 

What happens;

•Drone loses all power immediately 

•Begins falling so fast

•Parachute deploys automatically at 50 feet altitude

Drone operator response;

•Press emergency alert button

•Note exact location on map

•Warn ground team:”Drone down at [location]”

•Alert local police (if in populated area)

•Dispatch rescue team immediately

Scenario B: Motor Failure (One Motor)

What happens;

•Drone can still fly but less functional 

•Battery drains faster 

•Maximum speed reduced 

Drone operator response:

•Switch to “Limp Home Mode” (press yellow button)

•Reduce it's speed to 15 mph

•Choose shortest route back to base

•Avoid flying over crowds

•Prepare for possible hard landing 

Scenario C: Loss of GPS Signal 

What happens:

•Drone can't determine it's exact location 

•Can still fly with the help of cameras and other sensors 

•Navigation accuracy reduced 

Drone operator response:

•Switch to “Visual Navigation Mode”

•Reduce it's speed to 10 mph

•Stay below 200 feet altitude 

•Return back to base using backup navigation 

Scenario D: Flying Into Restricted Airspace 

What happens:

•Geofence systems should prevent this 

•If systems fail, drone enters airport or military area

Drone operator response:

•Descend to 50 feet altitude

•Exit restricted zone immediately

•Land immediately once outside restricted area

•Report incident to FAA within am hour.

Legal Requirement: Any unauthorised entry into restricted airspace would be gunned down. Failure to do so can result in fines up to $25,000.

Scenario E: Collision with either someone or a building 

What happens:

•Drone hits people,vehicle or building 

•May cause injury or damage 

Drone operator action:

•Land drone immediately (emergency hover)

•Call 911 immediately

•Take photos of scene

•Get contact information from victims involved 

•File incident report within 2 hours

What to say to an injured person:

“I'm very sorry.We'll take care of all medical costs and damages. Help is on the way and please don't move if you're hurt.

5: Post-Emergency Procedures 

Step 1: Secure the drone

•Turn off the drone power 

•Remove the battery if it's accessible 

•Place warning cones around drone 

Step 2: Document everything 

•Take photos from multiple angles 

•Record the exact time and location 

•Write down what exactly happened 

•Get names of any witnesses 

Step 3: Alert authorities 

•Police (if in populated area)

•FAA (if it involves aircraft)

•Local property owners (if landed on private property)

Step 4: Report internally 

•Fill the out incident report form 

•Submit it to the Safety officer in-charge

6: Emergency Contact Numbers 

Internal:

•Operations Center:(555) 0100

•Chief Safety Officer: (555) 0101

•Emergency Hotline: (555) 0911

External:

•Local Emergency: 911

•FAA Hotline: 1-866-TELL-FAA

•Company Legal: (555) 0200

7: Operator Responsibilities 

As a drone operator,you must;

•Master all this procedures 

•Practice emergency scenarios monthly 

•Put safety first before any other thing.

•Report all incidents 

Remember: No delivery is worth risking someone's life. When in doubt,land the drone.

8: Training Requirements 

All drone operators must;

•Must be active participants for the 6 months emergency training

•Pass emergency scenario simulator test (minimum 90%)

•Demonstrate the emergency procedures to the supervisiors.

•Review this document before each shift.

Failure to comply with this procedures may result in: 

•Immediate suspension from operations 

•Termination of employment 

•Legal Liability 

•FAA penalties 

9: Document Revision History 

Version 3.2 (Jan 2025): Added scenario for unrestricted airspace 

Version 3.1 (Oct 2024): Updated battery thresholds

Version 3.0 (July 2024): Complete rewritten version of new drone model.

Questions: Contact safety officer immediately safety@skydrop.com