I guess the first thing is to prove it is yours...but that also means that you are most likely the the pilot and responsible for any damages. When you fly you have to take responsibility. Otherwise take your chances and accept the consequences of your actions. I see people taking great risks for that special shot or video. Unless it will put money in your pocket.....why bother. Unless you want to watch it over and over and think how cool you were as a new day started and no one really cares. We will have no shortage of people doing things they are not supposed to do. You will be lost in the mess and nobody cares except the ones that will sue you for damages.I guess I am having a difficult time understanding what the difference is between personal property.
An SUAS or a purse/wallet.
Would/could the owner hold either KNOWING who the rightful owners are?
Been thinkn that since I started following this thread.....personal property is personal property.
Would an individual have this much trouble getting a backpack/wallet/purse returned if lost there?
They clearly know the rightful owner.
Seems there's 2 ways to go at this point:
1) Forget it and move on.
2) Civil proceedings for return.
Proving who was the actual pilot might be difficult.Does the Drone have your FAA # on it , that's proof of ownership . Not to mention serial #'s if you recorded them or have the original Box .
On Tuesday, August 30th, I ended up losing signal with a return to home altitude that was too low and caused my drone to crash on a building (160 ft high). I met a security guard who was cool enough to go out of his way to check the roof where he is not allowed to be and has confirmed the drone is on a ledge which is difficult to access (need a ladder etc) but would not provide me with the picture he took to prevent losing his job.
The property management is very rude and unhelpful. They said they have looked all over the roof and did not find it. I was told if I come on property for it I will be trespassed/arrested.
I have not let them know that it has now been confirmed to be on the roof and do not want to jeopardize the guard for helping.
I thought of a few possible options:
A) Try to get them to cooperate and tell them I have GPS location confirming it's on the specific corner of the roof.
B) Photoshop drone into aerial image and tell them I have a photo of it (lol).
C) ???
This property deals directly with local police and provide offices for large clients like Fedex - They will probably get their way with things since I'm a small fish.
I'm looking for any recommendations and/or any rights I have to get my drone back. It's exposed to the weather and probably not feeling too well right now.
Thank you for any input/suggestions you provide!
Makes me sad too. Hope he finds another job soon. Probably won't go out of his way to help someone at the next one.I'm with jskdog, it's the guard that got screwed!
I'm disappointed everyone seems to have blown that off.
graybeard
UPDATE 09/12/2016: Security Guard Fired (Review of Camera) - Drone Found!
Called local Sheriff office who went and helped 'mediate' this situation. Long story short, they stated they had to pay $500 for the retrieval but said they would cover that.
They are now holding my Drone because they state that it caused 4 "finger holes" into the cement on the top of the building. The drone was landed upside down and they are saying the 4 caps on propellers caused the damage.
I'm wondering if they even have legal right to keep the drone as colladeral and/or if I have any right to receive it back and deal with damages later. I find it hard to believe there is any significant indentures caused by the propeller cap but I certainly don't know.
Hopefully I will get it back here soon, and will continue to keep you updated!
Thanks.
What state did this occur in?
For example in California it's illegal to misappropriate lost property. If they are in possession of your lost property, you can press charges.
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That's not accurate at all. The property has no obligation to let you climb up onto a 160ft ledge of the building they lease / own /operate. They are liable. Moreover, they do not have to spend labor on doing so. If their in house team deems it safe, then it's safe. Everyone keeps pointing out how " it's unsafe ", " they should be in trouble ".... well guys, obviously it wasn't unsafe, or else the **** thing would have fallen.
Some of the things many of you say is what causes me to lurke, and not post. However, many of you just get completely out of hand, like you steve. No property owner is under any obligation to return properly if it is in an unsafe location, such as a tall tree, nor do they have to let you do it. They can easily, even in cali deny you that right. If your ball lands in my yard, I'll give it back, I actually do have to give it back, but once you bring in 160ft ledges, things change.
I have to say tho... Very upset at the security guard who lost he's job, did Z actually grass him up to just get the drone back? Personally I would happily call it a loss. You do t screw up a person's future for your own stupidity and selfish needs. If anything he needs to return the favour and get this guard he's job back. He probably has a family, can't pay bills and may be evicted. At the very least he should sell he's drone and give the money to the security guard
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