Agency Said No Evidence Of Reckless Flight, Commercial Operation

The person who flew a UAV over the scene of an automobile accident in Hartford CT in February of last year did not violate any FAA rules, according to a report released by the agency.

In the final report obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request on the part of television station WTIC, the FAA said that there was " no evidence that a careless or reckless operation or commercial operation were conducted."

According to the report, the operator of the aircraft was Pedro Rivera of Hartford, CT who worked for television station WFSB-TV. While the police officer, identified as Sgt. Yergeau, did not see Rivera operate the aircraft, he did observe it on the ground nearby. Sgt. Yergeau reportedly asked Rivera to stop flying the aircraft, and he complied with that request. He also said he was not working for the TV station at the time, and no images or video had been transmitted from the aircraft.

Still, Rivera filed a lawsuit against the officer, according to the report. Later, when contacted by the FAA, Sgt. Yergeau said he and others had seen the aircraft flying in the local area, but not over the actual scene of the fatal auto accident.

The FAA said in its report that it considers the case closed. There is no update on the lawsuit filed by Rivera against the police officer.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov