ELOM:2023:025 | Drone in prohibited port area | North Holland
Decision: 16 October 2023 PPS North Holland
Aviation case category: Unmanned aviation
Formal links: -/-
Content indication: Settlement proposal for flying a drone in a prohibited port area accepted.
PPS Decision
in the case against a foreign drone operator, referred to below as the suspect.
Reason for the investigation
The investigation was launched following the detection of a drone.
Suspected offence
Violation of Article 4 Unmanned Aircraft Zoning Regulations (flying in the open category in port area).
Facts and circumstances
The findings of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Kmar) (who were on site because it was a temporary military area and the temporary no-fly zone that had been established in that regard) showed that on [a date in the year] 2023, the suspect flew a drone from a ship in the port area at [place]. The conditions for flying in the open category were met.
The suspect stated that the drone was not his, that he knew nothing about the rules and that he made a test flight at the request of the company he worked for. The suspect did not take any videos or photographs during the flight.
Decision
The prosecution ruled that the suspect could be offered a €250 settlement for flying a drone in a prohibited area. The suspect accepted this proposal.