Too dangerous?

After Adelboden crash: No TV drones in Wengen?

Contrary to expectations, will Stefan Babinsky and Co. not be accompanied by TV drones (symbol) during their daring ski races in Wengen this year?(Bild: APA/KEYSTONE/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT, Christian Schulter)

The crash of a TV drone during the men's giant slalom in Adelboden could have short-term consequences: Following Sunday's frightening incident, Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) is considering not using the increasingly frequently used aircraft at the upcoming Lauberhorn weekend in Wengen!

A look back at Sunday: The first run was underway when the TV drone "following" German Jonas Stockinger suddenly went out of control and crashed into the snow behind the athlete.

"There was no danger at any time!"
The SRF, which is behind the use of these flying cameras, soon announced that "there was no danger to the driver or other people at any time". Stockinger himself had not even noticed the incident ...

"Connection interruption" was the reason for the crash
SRF has since stated that the reason for the crash was a "connection interruption that triggered a controlled flight abort". Remarkably, the TV drone, which is said to weigh less than 900 grams, is likely to have survived the crash more or less intact.

"Crashes cannot be completely ruled out when using drones. However, the safety of the people on site is our top priority," says the SRF. For this reason, the FIS and the organizing committee for the Lauberhorn races are now considering whether or not to refrain from using drones in Wengen ...