A "spider" camera falls onto the playing field in the US.

An aerial camera on cables, SkyCam manufactured by Winnercomm, that was being used by ESPN in the broadcast falls into the void due to a mechanical failure during a match at the American Insight Bowl.

The increasingly popular cameras suspended above the pitch thanks to cable guides have been widespread in all sports broadcasts for years. What few could imagine is that one of these cameras could fall on the players as happened last Friday during an American football game at the Insight Bowl.

A SkyCam, manufactured by the Oklahoma-based company Winnercomm that was being used by ESPN in the broadcast, fell into the void due to a mechanical failure in the guides, nearly injuring player Martin McNutt Jr. who became entangled in the guide wire.

This SkyCam measures 66 centimeters high, weighs just over eleven kilos and “flies” over the playing field suspended on the guide cables at a speed of about 48 km/hour.

Josh Krulewitz, a spokesman for ESPN, apologized for the incident and assured that the system operating company had opened an investigation to determine the causes. “As always, our main concern will be the safety of the fans and those on the field,” said Krulewitz.

In 2007, a similar camera was forced into a controlled descent to avoid damage during an NFL game. In 2009, a similar incident due to strong gusts of wind in Las Vegas forced another aerial camera to be lowered onto guides.