Aircraft Lost During Documentary Production

A photographer working on a documentary focusing on Willamette Falls in Oregon has lost a UAV he was using to shoot aerial photos earlier this month, and some residents are taking s dim view of his search for the aircraft.

Brian Dalrymple was operating the Droidworx AD8 Heavy Lift UAS with a Canon EOS 7D camera attached when he lost contact with the aircraft. He says he was able to place the aircraft in "automatic land" mode before it got completely away from him, and it went down near a scenic overlook of the falls.

The 27-year-old photographer told Oregonlive.com that if it survived the landing and the batteries were intact an internal GPS should lead him to the aircraft, but so far he's had no luck finding it. The AD8 has eight "legs" and lifting rotors, making it look a bit like a flying spider. Dalrymple said he had about $16,000 tied up in the aircraft and camera gear.

A West Linn, OR police spokesman said some people who live near the falls have called to complain about the man asking to search their property looking for his UAV. Sgt. Neil Hennelly said that the people who are calling are being assured that Dalrymple is legit, and would just like to find his aircraft.

FMI: http://westlinnoregon.gov/police