PSA CRJ2 at Tallahassee on Mar 22nd 2014, near collision with model aircraft

A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-200 on behalf of US Airways, registration N237PS performing flight JIA-4650/US-4650 from Charlotte,NC to Tallahassee,FL (USA), was on a visual approach to Tallahassee's runway 36 in a right hand downwind about 5nm northeast of Tallahassee Airport when the crew reported another aircraft at about 2300 feet, that had not been reported by ATC and appeared to have been remotely controlled. The CRJ continued their approach, turned base and final and landed safely on runway 36.

The aircraft departed for its return flight to Charlotte 35 minutes after landing.

Media reports in the United States claim, that the crew believed they had collided with the drone/model aircraft, so that the CRJ-200 had to be inspected for such evidence following the landing in Tallahassee.

The FAA stated:

The FAA is working aggressively to ensure the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace. This includes approving, two months ahead of the deadline, the use of UAS at two of six FAA-designated test sites to help answer key integration questions. The law requires private individuals flying model aircraft to notify an airport operator and air traffic control facility when flying within five miles of an airport. The FAA has the authority to pursue enforcement action against operators who endanger the safety of the national airspace system. (P.L. 112-95 Section 336)

The FAA has the exclusive authority to regulate the airspace from the ground up, and a mandate to protect the safety of the American people in the air and on the ground. The public expects us to carry out this mission. Our challenge is to integrate unmanned aircraft into the busiest, most complex airspace in the world. Introduction of unmanned aircraft into America’s airspace must take place incrementally and with the interest of safety first.

On Background

On March 22, 2014 a near mid-air collision was reported to Tallahassee Air Traffic Control by PSA Airlines (US Airways commuter) Flight #4650, a CRJ2 aircraft.

Flight #4650 was enroute from Charlotte, NC (CLT) to Tallahassee, FL (TLH). It was on a right VFR downwind approach to Runway 36 at TLH and passed an unreported and apparently remotely controlled aircraft at 2300 ft., five miles northeast of the Tallahassee airport.

The FAA investigated. Neither the UAS nor its pilot could be identified.

Map (Graphics: AVH/Google Earth):