An unmanned aircraft has crashed at the Jingzhou Olympic Sports Centre in Hubei province while undergoing tests. The incident, which occurred around 11:10 local time on Dec. 12, was first reported via WeChat by the Hubei Jingzhou Economic Development Zone. Images circulating on Chinese social media depict the aftermath, showing a large drone engulfed in flames. One person was reported to be injured in the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Photos: Chinese Internet
An online photo showed the chinese word “应急” painted on the wing of the wreckage. Suggesting that the drone could be the Wing Loong 2H, a product of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The fixed-wing unmanned aircraft is known to be operated by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management “应急管理部” for disaster relief. This drone boasts long-range and endurance capabilities, allowing it to carry substantial payloads and operate in challenging weather, including winds of 8 to 10 on the Beaufort scale. Equipped with an array of sensors including electro-optical pods, synthetic aperture radar, and aerial cameras, the Wing Loong 2H can also be fitted with specialised pods for emergency communications and the delivery of vital supplies.
The Wing Loong 2H had been activated during disasters previously. During the devastating floods that struck Henan province in July 2021, a Wing Loong 2H was deployed to the disaster zone. With communication networks crippled, the drone proved instrumental in establishing an emergency communication platform, providing mobile phone coverage to a 50 square kilometer area. This lifeline enabled residents to report their situation and allowed rescuers to better coordinate relief efforts.
More recently, in August 2023, as Typhoon Doksuri lashed Fujian province, a Wing Loong 2H was again dispatched to aid in emergency response. The drone provided a critical eye in the sky, surveying the damage wrought by the typhoon and monitoring evolving weather conditions. Real-time data relayed back from the drone played a crucial role in facilitating efficient decision-making and resource allocation by emergency response teams on the ground.
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