Drone Operator Flees After Collision with Paraglider at Torrey Pines

A paraglider pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at Torrey Pines Gliderport in Southern California after a drone struck and damaged his glider lines on January 7th. The incident, which reportedly occurred at 12:52 PM, highlights ongoing safety concerns about unauthorized drone operations near active flight areas.

Hunter M. Odaka, who documents his flights on YouTube under the name Wind Hunter, confronted the drone operator immediately after landing. The unidentified operator initially acknowledged the incident, stating his screen had “blacked out” while attempting to regain control, but fled the scene after pretending to provide contact information.

The collision occurred between two flags on the North Face of Torrey Pines, violating multiple safety protocols established for the historic gliderport. While radio-controlled aircraft are permitted at specific locations within the facility, operators must maintain visual separation from other aircraft and always yield right-of-way to manned aircraft.

This incident underscores the critical importance of drone flight regulations near active aviation facilities. Under FAA guidelines, drone operators must maintain visual line of sight with their aircraft and avoid interfering with manned aircraft operations. The operator’s actions potentially violated both federal aviation regulations and local safety guidelines.

Torrey Pines Gliderport’s rules explicitly require radio-controlled aircraft operators to be AMA members, maintain spotters during full-scale glider operations, and operate only from designated areas. The site’s regulations emphasize maintaining “Blue Sky” separation between aircraft and prohibit flying “at or near man-carrying aircraft.”

The incident also raises concerns about enforcement challenges in drone-related accidents. Despite clear safety violations, the operator’s quick departure has complicated accountability efforts. Similar hit-and-run incidents involving drones have prompted calls for stronger enforcement mechanisms and pilot identification requirements.

Local authorities are investigating the incident, which could result in both civil and criminal penalties for the drone operator. The FAA takes a particularly serious view of drone operations that endanger manned aircraft, with potential fines reaching into tens of thousands of dollars.

For paraglider pilots and other aerial sports enthusiasts, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of emerging risks in shared airspace. As drone adoption continues to grow, the need for strict adherence to safety protocols and clear accountability measures becomes increasingly critical for protecting all airspace users.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​