Airspace over Latvia’s capital is closed due to lost drone

The airspace over the city of Riga and Riga International Airport has been closed due to a lost drone that may still be flying. It is a 5.5 meter long drone from UAVFactory, which can stay in the air for up to 90 hours.

During a test flight on Saturday afternoon, contact with the unmanned aircraft was lost, LETA news agency writes. It is not clear whether the drone has crashed or is still flying around uncontrolled. The drone in question comes from UAVFactory, is 5.5 meters long and has a wingspan of 3.5 meters. The 26-kilogram colossus has a maximum speed of 70 km/h and can remain in the air for up to 90 hours.

As a precautionary measure, airspace over Latvia’s capital has been closed. As a result, Riga International Airport is not accessible. A flight from China has therefore diverted to Tallinn airport. Residents in the area are said to have made several reports of a flying object, but it has not yet been determined whether the drone is involved and where it is currently located.

The search for the missing drone was scaled up on Monday. Four aircraft, including an Air Force Antonov An-2, and six vehicles have been deployed. Both the aircraft and the vehicles searching for the drone are equipped with equipment that would allow them to regain control of the unmanned aircraft.

Part of a drone from UAVFactory – Photo: UAVFactory