A shocking viral video showing a drone coming close to a plane landing near McCarran Airport in Las Vegas is now being investigated by the FAA.
The video, shot by an unknown drone pilot, shows the drone taking off from what looks to be the parking lot at Whitney Ranch, then flying dangerously close to a Frontier passenger plane heading to land at McCarran Airport.
It's unclear when the video was shot and who was behind the controls. The video has gotten the attention of the FAA.
Drone expert Steven Williams said he's shocked by what he saw in the idea. Williams, who is with Alpha Drone, said it appears to be a racing drone. He says without a GPS, manual controls allow for more movement.
"You know, if he was to hit the plane or there were any transmission signals that could interfere with that plane, he could honestly jam something in the plane, anything could happen," he says.
Regulations allow a maximum of 400 feet for flying drones. In this case, Williams estimates the drone was at least 1,500 feet in the air.
Henderson Police are also investigating this case, and the FBI was made aware of it as well.
In cases like this, people can get a nearly $1,500 fine from the FAA, and a federal criminal fine of up to $250,000 and three years in jail.