DRONE CRASH - What to Do and Who to Report it To.

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 17 Jan 26

After the high-adrenaline moment of a drone crash, your first instinct might be to pack up and leave before anyone notices. Resist that urge. In Canada, how you handle the minutes and hours following a crash can be the difference between a minor repair bill and a massive fine or even criminal charges.

Here is a guide on navigating the aftermath of a drone crash, tailored to Canadian regulations as of 2026.

Scenario 1: The "Clean" Crash (No Injuries or External Damage)

If your drone clips a tree or has a motor failure and falls onto empty grass, you are in luck.

• Reporting: If the drone is under 25 kg and no one was hurt, you generally do not need to report this to Transport Canada (TC) or the Transportation Safety Board (TSB).

• Action: Conduct a thorough "Post-Flight Inspection." Log the incident in your pilot logbook, noting the cause (mechanical, pilot error, or weather) and the location.

• Registration: If the drone is a total loss (destroyed), you must notify the Minister through the Drone Management Portal within 7 days to cancel your registration.

Scenario 2: The Fire (Onboard or Environmental)

This is where things get serious. Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are volatile. If a crash results in a fire—whether it’s just the drone or it spreads to a forest or structure—it is a "reportable occurrence."

• Who to call: * 9-1-1: If the fire is out of your control (grass or forest fire), call emergency services immediately.

  • TSB: A fire on board an aircraft or a fire caused by an aircraft is reportable to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB).

• Authority: Under the TSB Regulations, any fire on board or any fire that occurs as a result of the operation must be reported "as soon as possible by the quickest means available."

Scenario 3: Collision with a Manned Aircraft

This is the "Red Alert" scenario.

• Who to call: You must report this immediately to the TSB via their 24-hour reporting line (1-819-994-3741).

• TSB vs. TC: The TSB investigates the cause of the accident to improve safety. Transport Canada (TC) will likely follow up to see if you were in violation of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

• Note: If you lose control and your drone is heading toward controlled airspace or near an aircraft, you are legally required to notify the nearest Air Traffic Control (ATC) or Flight Service Station immediately.

Scenario 4: Operating Under an SFOC

If you are flying under a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)—for example, for a drone over 25 kg or for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) missions—your reporting requirements are stricter.

• SFOC Conditions: Most SFOCs include a specific condition requiring you to report any incident or accident to Transport Canada within a set timeframe (often 24–48 hours), regardless of whether it meets the TSB's criteria for a "serious incident."

Reporting Matrix: TSB vs. Transport Canada vs ATC

Knowing who to tell can be confusing. Use this table as a quick reference:

Corrected Reporting Matrix (2026)

Situation	Primary Authority	Reference
Ongoing "Flyaway" (Loss of C2)	NAV CANADA (ATC)	CAR 900.07 & AIM-RPAS
Crash with Death/Serious Injury	TSB (Immediate)	TSB Regulations 2(1)
Collision with Manned Aircraft	TSB (Immediate)	TSB Regulations 2(1)
Drone > 25 kg Accident	TSB (Immediate)	TSB Regulations 2(1)
Drone < 25 kg (No injury/collision)	None Required	Log locally in pilot logs
Operating under SFOC	Transport Canada	SFOC Specific Conditions

The Flyaway: NAV CANADA (ATC) is First Call

If you lose the Command and Control (C2) link and the drone is still in the air (a "flyaway"), you are no longer in the "post-crash" phase; you are in an active emergency.

• The Rule: Per CAR 900.07, you must notify the appropriate Air Traffic Services (ATS) unit or user agency immediately if your drone is likely to enter controlled airspace or a Class F restricted area.

• The Action: You don't call TC or TSB yet. You call the NAV CANADA emergency line for your Flight Information Region (FIR).

TSB: The Investigative Lead

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is the primary agency for investigating why accidents happen to prevent future ones. They are separate from Transport Canada (who handles enforcement).

• Report to TSB if:

  • A person is killed or sustains a serious injury (from any drone >250g).

  • A drone over 25 kg is involved in an accident.

  • Any drone collides with a manned aircraft.

• Contact: Call 1-819-994-3741 or 1-800-387-3557.

Transport Canada (TC): The Regulator

TC generally focuses on compliance and registration.

• Standard Operations: You do not typically report "routine" crashes of small drones to TC. However, if you cause a fire or other environmental damage, you should use the TC Drone Incident Report form to stay ahead of any potential enforcement actions.

• SFOC Operations: If you are operating under a Special Flight Operations Certificate, check your specific permit. Almost all SFOCs contain a clause requiring you to notify the Minister (Transport Canada) of any "incident" or "accident" within a specified window (usually 24–48 hours).

Evidence: Photos, Phones, and the Police

When a crash occurs, documenting the scene is vital for insurance and for proving you followed safety protocols.

Should you use your phone or a separate camera?

While convenient, using your phone for evidence has a major drawback: Privacy and Seizure.

• Police Seizure: Under "exigent circumstances" (e.g., the police believe you might delete evidence of a crime) or "search incident to arrest," the police can legally seize your phone. If your phone contains your entire digital life (banking, private texts, etc.), losing it to an evidence locker for months is a nightmare.

• The Pro-Tip: Use a dedicated digital camera or a separate "work tablet" for your flight logs and post-crash photos. If the police need to seize evidence, they take the camera/SD card, not your primary communication device.

What to Photograph:

1. The "As-Is" Scene: Before moving anything, take wide shots of where the drone landed relative to obstacles.

2. The Drone State: Close-ups of the battery, propellers, and any failed components.

3. The Environment: Weather conditions, nearby people (if any), and any property damage.

References & Resources

• TSB Reporting Line: 1-819-994-3741

• Transport Canada Drone Incident Form: TC Online Portal

• Legal Authority: Transportation Safety Board Regulations, Section 2(1); Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX.