UAVsModel airplane hits federal building
Last week a three-foot model airplane crashed into a federal building in Waltham, Massachusetts; federal investigators from DHS and the FBI promptly began investigating the incident, but so far no evidence exists to suggest any foul play; earlier this year a 26-year old man from Massachusetts was arrested for plotting to attack the Pentagon with a remote-controlled plane packed with explosives
Video capture of officer approaching model on roof of building // Source: rawsignal.com
Last week a three-foot model airplane crashed into a federal building in Waltham, Massachusetts. Federal investigators from DHS and the FBI promptly began investigating the incident, but so far no evidence exists to suggest any foul play. Special Agent Greg Comcowich, a spokesman for the FBI, said, “The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service and the Boston Division of the FBI are saying the following: Earlier this evening, the Federal Protective Service and Boston FBI responded to a report that a remote control plane was on the rooftop of (the National Archives building).”
Comcowich said investigators believe the incident was purely an accident.
“Earlier in the day, the owner of the plane, a remote control plane enthusiast, reported the plane missing and possibly located on the roof of the building. A combination of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Protective Service, determined the plane caused little to no damage to the building and a preliminary examination of the plane indicated it did not carry any harmful material.”
According to Diane LeBlanc, the regional administrator for the National Archives, the building sustained very little damage.
“There’s one solar panel that has been damaged, minimal damage. No damage to records. The fire department did clear the scene pretty quickly. Because we are a federal building, obviously we get a federal response, Homeland Security, the agencies that need to make a response. This appears to be a non-incident, and we will be open for business as usual for the public,” she said.
As a precaution, Federal Protective Services will continue investigating the matter even though it is thought to be an accident.
“At this point, it’s a remote controlled plane enthusiast’s plane gone awry,” Comcowich said. “We always do follow ups, so I don’t want to say it’s fully concluded. Federal Protective Service will do a logical follow up.”
Earlier this year a 26-year old man from Massachusetts was arrested for plotting to attack the Pentagon with a remote-controlled plane packed with explosives.
