FAA proposes US$1.9 million civil penalty against company for alleged unauthorized aircraft operations

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced this week that it has imposed the largest civil penalty against a drone operator – US$1.9 million – for endangering the safety of the nation’s airspace.

The FAA proposed the penalty against SkyPan International, Inc. of Chicago on Tuesday. Between March 21, 2012, and Dec. 15, 2014, the FAA said in a statement, SkyPan allegedly conducted 65 unauthorized operations in some of the U.S.’s most congested airspaces and heavily populated cities, violating airspace regulations and various operating rules. “These operations were illegal and not without risk,” the statement said.

The FAA alleged that the company conducted 65 unauthorized commercial unmanned aircraft operation (UAS) flights involving aerial photography over various locations in New York City and Chicago between those dates. Of those flights, 43 flew in the highly restricted New York Class B airspace.

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“Flying unmanned aircraft in violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations is illegal and can be dangerous,” said FAA administrator Michael Huerta in the statement. “We have the safest airspace in the world, and everyone who uses it must understand and observe our comprehensive set of rules and regulations.”

SkyPan operated the 43 flights in the New York Class B airspace without receiving an air traffic control clearance to access it, the FAA alleged. Additionally, the agency alleged the aircraft was not equipped with a two-way radio, transponder, and altitude-reporting equipment.

The FAA further alleged that on all 65 flights, the aircraft lacked an airworthiness certificate and effective registration and SkyPan did not have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization for the operations.

“SkyPan operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger lives or property,” the statement said, adding that the company has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond.