Small Drone Crashes in New Jersey Backyard Amid Ongoing Mystery Sightings

A recreational drone crashed into a residential backyard in Pequannock Township, New Jersey, on Thursday evening, adding another layer to the state’s ongoing concerns over unexplained aerial activity. Local Polisi confirmed the incident occurred around 8:45 PM in Morris County, determining the aircraft was a hobby or toy-type drone rather than a larger commercial or military model, according to the NY Post.

Local Officials Respond to Growing Concerns

Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herd personally investigated the crash site, emphasizing the broader implications of unauthorized drone activity over residential areas.

“It is definitely not one of the massive, car-size drones that purportedly have been hovering overhead,” Herd stated, while expressing concern about the larger pattern of unexplained flights. “Nobody knows whose drones are flying over us and what they’re flying over us for and where they’re taking off and landing.”

The incident prompted an investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, while a separate report of a drone striking power lines in nearby Randolph Township proved unfounded, according to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Federal Response and Security Measures

The Federal Aviation Administration has taken action in response to the increasing drone activity, implementing temporary flight restrictions over sensitive areas including the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and a Bedminster golf course. These restrictions came at the request of federal security partners, highlighting the growing attention these incidents are receiving at the national level.

The situation has drawn scrutiny from top government officials. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby acknowledged that federal investigators have been unable to verify any of the more than 3,000 reports of large drone sightings in recent weeks. Pentagon officials have stated they do not believe the aircraft are connected to foreign operations.

State Leadership Urges Caution

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has addressed public concerns, describing the reported aircraft as “very sophisticated” while maintaining they pose no immediate threat to public safety.

Local law enforcement has suggested some sightings may be attributed to copycat activity, with one police chief noting, “What we think is it started as some sort of Picatinny Arsenal base surveillance drill or operation but once it exploded online, this became a copycat situation.”

Officials are actively discouraging residents from attempting to interfere with any observed drones.

Mayor Herd specifically warned against civilian counter-drone operations: “We can’t be putting up Class 1 and Class 2 drones trying to follow these drones. God forbid something happens and it crashes into the big drone, and the big drone crashes into a house and kills six people — that’s going to be a problem.”

The incident highlights the growing challenges faced by communities and law enforcement in managing unauthorized drone operations while maintaining public safety and security. As investigations continue, authorities maintain a delicate balance between addressing legitimate security concerns and preventing unnecessary panic among residents.

Photo courtesy of X.