Video: Near Collision Between Drone and Airbus A300

Bethany Whitfield

Thursday, June 06, 2013 at 08:51 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A nine-year-old video depicting a close call between an EMT Luna X-2000 reconnaissance drone and an Ariana Afghan Airlines Airbus A300, which resulted in the drone crashing due to wake turbulence, has recently gained renewed widespread attention.
The resurfacing of this footage, particularly after being highlighted by Der Spiegel, has intensified debate in Germany regarding the safety and use of unmanned aerial vehicles, especially after a decision not to equip the Luna's successor with anti-collision technology.

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A close call between a drone and an airliner nine years ago is getting renewed attention thanks to an online video showing the near collision.

The footage, taken by the EMT Luna X-2000 drone, shows the unmanned aerial vehicle passing just meters beneath the wing of an Ariana Afghan Airlines Airbus A300 in Afghanistan. The aircraft was carrying approximately 100 people during the close encounter with the 88-pound reconnaissance drone. The UAV crashed after becoming destabilized in the wake turbulence of the A300.