UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3; Flight Crew Total 3200; Flight Crew Type 26
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
[We were] requested to fly to map the perimeter of the fire. PIC was informed that the TFR was in place and clearance was issued to launch. The aircraft was launched and began to climb to its mission altitude.Within minutes of takeoff traffic was observed inside the boundary of the TFR. Since this was not expected the crew and PIC took measures to avoid conflict with the traffic and made slight adjustments in course and altitude to avoid. Positive visual separation was achieved with the use of a ground observer and the UAS camera system.Once conflict was mitigated further effort was made to determine if an incursion had occurred. It was identified that an error was made and that the TFR was not activated as claimed. Immediate recovery of the UAS was conducted and the aircraft was safely landed at the intended landing site. In order to correct and avoid another instance of this event we have implemented a procedure to confirm valid activation of the TFR before every flight operation is conducted.
UAV operator reported a TFR miscommunication that resulted in an airborne conflict with an aircraft.