Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 6500; Flight Crew Type 100
Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Human Factors; Weather
While conducting a law enforcement mission in the Southern Arizona area; aircraft was unintentionally flown into Mexican airspace. Mission was conducted in close proximity to the International Border; crew was trying to maintain the aircraft away from the border; but in a good position to maintain surveillance while dealing with strong winds aloft. During one of our orbits around the target the aircraft was pushed over the border and into Mexican airspace. Winds aloft over the target location were from the north at 60 KTS. After flying over the border and into Mexican airspace the crew immediately commanded a turn to the north to return to U.S. airspace.
Drone pilot reports drifting into Mexican airspace due to high winds aloft while on a mission along the southwest border.