UK Police charge student after stadium drone crash

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — University of Kentucky Police have charged a student with Wanton Endangerment, after a student’s drone crashed into the Commonwealth Stadium just prior to the UK vs. Louisiana Lafayette game’s kickoff.

Peyton Wilson, a 24-year-old law student, was operating the drone from outside the stadium when he crashed it accidentally into the suite level glass on the south side of the new Commonwealth Stadium. No one was injured.

Seen inside the bowl of the stadium during pregame festivities, one of the parachutists told UK police that he had to take emergency evasive maneuvers to avoid contact with the drone. The parachutist said that at one point, the drone’s blades had been within 20 feet of his parachute.

ABC 36’s Paris Lewbel interviewed a professional drone pilot with Post Time Productions, who admitted the strong blades and high RPM of quadcopters could be deadly in the hands of an inexperienced operator. However, he insisted that drones are used safely all over the country, and that a big problem with drones is that new users often just don’t know the rules of their area regarding unmanned aircraft.

According to the FAA, any unmanned aircraft is prohibited within 3 miles of the stadium, one hour prior to events and one hour after events conclude.

The FAA also has published the following safety guidelines about the general use of unmanned aircraft:

• Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times
• Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manner aircraft operations
• Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower before flying.
• Don’t fly near people or stadiums
• Don’t fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs.
• Don’t be careless or Reckless with your unmanned aircraft – you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft.

The University of Kentucky Hospital has been designated, by the FAA, as an airport because of its helipad used for air ambulances. The University is working on a policy on the usage of unmanned aircraft – Until those policies are finalized, unmanned aircraft are prohibited.