Agricultural aircraft spraying pesticides on field gets caught in Giong Rieng - Vi Thanh 110kV power line, Ngoc Hoa commune, Giong Rieng district (Kien Giang)

Facing the risk of incidents occurring during the 110kV power line management and operation, the Board of Directors of Kien Giang PC has strengthened the direction of its affiliated units to promote and strictly implement plans, contents, and tasks, and disseminate information to people, agencies, and units to ensure the safety of people and the power grid.

Director of Kien Giang PC Dang Nguyen Phuong said that the Company focuses on ensuring the safety of power grid corridors. The company regularly directs its affiliated units to propagate, mobilize, and work with organizations and individuals to limit impacts on the power grid.

Kien Giang PC has placed warning signs prohibiting flying devices from entering the power lines to ensure the safety of the power grid corridor and has worked with landowners whose 110kV power lines pass through to warn agricultural aircraft when spraying pesticides, spreading fertilizer, sowing, etc.

Currently, according to the provisions of the law on the management of unmanned aircraft and ultra-light instruments are specifically regulated in Decree 36/2008/ND-CP dated March 28, 2008, of the Prime Minister. Specifically, Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree No. 36/2008/ND-CP on the management of unmanned aircraft and ultra-light instruments stipulates: "An unmanned aircraft is an aircraft whose control and maintenance of flight operations do not require the direct control of the pilot or crew on that aircraft." Accordingly, a flycam or drone is considered an unmanned aircraft.

In addition, Clause 12, Article 4 of Decree 14/2014/ND-CP detailing the implementation of the Electricity Law on electrical safety also stipulates that it is not allowed to control aircraft with a distance to the nearest part of the high-voltage grid of less than 100m, except in cases where the aircraft is tasked with managing, maintaining, and repairing power lines as permitted by regulations.

Director of Kien Giang PC Dang Nguyen Phuong shared that the need to repair and renovate houses and the use of unmanned aircraft is realistic and practical. However, it is necessary to comply with the law and pay attention to the safety corridor of the power grid during use, otherwise, it will cause unpredictable consequences.

Translator: Thu Hường