Rogue Drone Halts Pittsburgh Airport in Its Tracks
In a recent incident that raised safety concerns at Pittsburgh International Airport, a rogue drone prompted a brief interruption of ground operations. The sudden appearance of this unauthorized drone triggered a precautionary halt to all ground movement, throwing a spanner into the regular airport activities.
Bob Kerlik, the spokesperson for the airport, confirmed that the airport's air traffic control tower responded swiftly to the drone sighting on Monday, initiating a ground stoppage as a safety measure. This unexpected pause lasted approximately 30 minutes from the moment the drone was spotted, ending close to noon when the situation was deemed under control.
“Drones can pose safety risks to aviation and unauthorized operators in protected airspace can be fined or face charges,” warned Kerlik, emphasizing the potential hazards of unregulated drone activities in secured airspace. He also assured that despite this hiccup, the airport terminals' operations remained undisturbed.
The law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the drone incident, striving to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This episode underscores the importance of maintaining secure airspace around airports and the potential ramifications of unauthorized drone use.
Photo courtesy of Billy Kyle.
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