DJI drone pilot fined $3,600 for repeated violations

A UK drone pilot who flew a DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine over an active industrial fire, inside restricted airport airspace, and nearly 1,900 feet into the sky has been fined the equivalent of over $3,600 in what authorities believe may be the first conviction of its kind.

According to Norfolk Police, 46-year-old Christopher McEwen has pleaded guilty to 17 drone-related offenses tied to 44 flights conducted between January and June 2025. The violations included flying over emergency responders, breaching airport flight restriction zones, exceeding legal altitude limits, failing to maintain visual line of sight, and operating without proper aviation registration.

McEwen was fined £2,000 (about $2,500), ordered to pay an £800 victim surcharge (roughly $1,000) and £110 in court costs (about $140). His DJI drone was also ordered forfeited and destroyed.

One of the most serious incidents occurred on January 20, 2025, when a large industrial fire broke out at a disused factory in Norwich. Police, fire crews, and ambulance services were on scene for hours. During that response, McEwen flew his DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine three separate times directly over the blaze.

Authorities say flying over an emergency scene without permission poses serious risks. Not only could a drone fall or collide with aircraft, but its presence can also prevent emergency crews from deploying their own drones for aerial assessment.

Investigators described the behavior as a “blatant disregard” for safety rules designed to protect first responders.

It doesn’t help that McEwen’s home sits inside the flight restriction zone surrounding Norwich Airport. That zone extends roughly 2.5 nautical miles from the airport, along with additional protected areas off each runway end. Of the 44 logged flights, 33 occurred inside restricted airspace, and authorities say he did not obtain permission from air traffic control.

Airport officials warned that drones operating near aircraft create significant safety hazards. Even small unmanned aircraft can cause catastrophic damage if they strike a cockpit windshield or get ingested into an engine.

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Flew DJI Mavic 3 Pro at nearly five times the legal altitude

The legal maximum drone altitude in the UK — similar to FAA rules in the United States — is 400 feet above ground level. But investigators say McEwen exceeded that limit in 39 of the 44 flights.

On May 2, 2025, he flew his DJI drone to approximately 1,900 feet, nearly five times higher than permitted. During that same flight, the drone reportedly came within about 1,150 feet (350 meters) of a light aircraft flying over southern Norwich. The aircraft’s pilot was unaware of the drone’s presence.

Authorities said a collision at that altitude “could have had catastrophic consequences.”

In a separate 2024 incident, McEwen flew over HMP Norwich and took two photographs of prisoners in an exercise yard without authorization. That act violated the UK’s Prison Act and also occurred inside restricted airspace while exceeding altitude limits.

It’s also worth noting that under UK aviation rules, operators of drones like the DJI Mavic 3 Cine must register and maintain a visual line of sight during flight. McEwen’s registration had expired during the period of the offenses. He also admitted he could only clearly see his drone at distances of roughly 400 meters, yet 36 flights went far beyond that, including one that traveled nearly 1.5 miles from its takeoff point.

While this case happened overseas, the safety principles mirror FAA enforcement priorities in the United States — particularly around emergency response interference and controlled airspace violations. Authorities stress that drone rules aren’t minor technicalities. Violations can delay emergency medical helicopters, block fire scene coordination, or put unsuspecting pilots at risk.

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