Drone operator faces charges over incident at Buxton Carnival
It was spotted being flown dangerously close to the wing of an RAF Hurricane
Images captured on the day of a fly-past at the event last July showed the drone flying dangerously close to the wing of the plane, which was being watched by an estimated 20,000 people.
Officers worked to identify the drone operator, a 49-year-old man from Buxton, and his drone was seized as part of their investigation.
Mark Bagguley, of Chatsworth Road, Fairfield, was arrested and subsequently charged with endangering an aircraft and operating an aircraft out of the visual line of sight.
He pleaded guilty to both charges before magistrates at Chesterfield Justice Centre and is set to appear again in February for sentencing.
Following the case, the Civil Aviation Authority and police are reminding drone operators of the need to fly safely and legally.
Pc Matt Moore, Flight Safety Manager for the Derbyshire Constabulary drone team said: “The way the pilot flew his drone was unsafe, illegal and totally unacceptable. “
“Anyone using a drone must follow the rules to make sure they fly safely. As a police drone unit, we know the benefits drones can bring to society but people using a drone in this way not only threaten the safety of aircraft and the public they also damage the future use of drones.
“This is for the safety of not only yourself but others around.”