Report: Man Who Crashed Drone On White House Grounds Had Been Drinking

Drone rules. File photo dated 09/05/14 of a quadcopter type drone with a camera, as British pilots are demanding better protection for the public against the risks of drones. Issue date: Monday October 27, 2014. Airl... Drone rules. File photo dated 09/05/14 of a quadcopter type drone with a camera, as British pilots are demanding better protection for the public against the risks of drones. Issue date: Monday October 27, 2014. Airline pilots' association Balpa will call for tougher rules for the use of large remote aircraft when it gives evidence before a House of Lords committee today. See PA story AIR Drones. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire URN:21295664 MORE LESS
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A man who caused a brief stir outside the White House early Monday morning by crashing a drone on the grounds was reportedly drinking when he lost control of the device.

Citing anonymous law enforcement officials, the New York Times reported that a man who works for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency told investigators he was flying a drone that belonged to a friend while drinking at a nearby apartment.

The man said he contacted authorities after friends told him about news reports on the drone Monday morning, according to the Times. He also told investigators that he’d gone to sleep that night fearing that the drone had flown over the White House.

Obama addressed the latest White House security breach Tuesday in an interview with CNN, comparing the drone that landed on the grounds to one that could be bought at Radio Shack.

“I’ve assigned some of the relevant agencies to start talking to stakeholders and figure out how we’re going to put an architecture in place that makes sure that these things aren’t dangerous and that they’re not violating people’s privacy,” the President said.

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Notable Replies

  1. If you’re gonna drink, don’t fly. But if you’re gonna drink and fly, FFS don’t do it in D.C.

  2. People shouldn’t be in control of anything when they drink, whether it’s a motor vehicle or even a toy.

  3. Avatar for 1gg 1gg says:

    Oh please, it isn’t as if he was flying a real plane, it is a toy.

  4. This guy is the first to be placed on the Alcohol Watch List.

  5. Avatar for 1gg 1gg says:

    I hope Sarah is second.

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