Ravens Insider: Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium

[ExtremeRavens]

Officials with the Maryland Stadium Authority were relieved there were no drone incidents at the Ravens’ home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, a problem that has plagued M&T Bank Stadium over the past year.

According to data provided by the Maryland Stadium Authority, there have been eight temporary flight restriction violations and unauthorized drone flights during the five Ravens regular-season games this season.

The Nov. 3 game against the Denver Broncos saw two incidents. Four occurred on Oct.13 against the Washington Commanders. In addition, there was one incident for each of the home games Sept. 29 against the Buffalo Bills and Sept. 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Other than Thursday’s, only the Aug. 9 and Aug. 17 preseason games were unaffected.

Federal law restricts unmanned aircraft systems, such as drones, from flying at or below a 3-mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people during games for the National Football League, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I football and major motor speedway events, according to the Federal Aviation Administration

Investigators from the Maryland State Police and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force handle the initial law enforcement response and investigation into drones violating temporary flight restrictions during Ravens games.

Cases are referred to the FAA and U.S. Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution.

“When we identify the drones, we dispatch law enforcement to address that issue,” Vernon J. Conaway Jr., vice president for public safety and security with the Maryland Stadium Authority, said at the organization’s monthly meeting Tuesday. “We didn’t have anything on Thursday, and we hope to continue that trend for the rest of the season.”

On Nov. 16, 2023, the game between the Ravens and Bengals was halted twice because of a drone flying above M&T Bank Stadium. The players were forced to clear the field until security deemed the drone was no longer a threat. The pilot flying that drone said he was unaware that the stadium was a restricted zone.

In March, a Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to a federal airspace violation and was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine for the misdemeanor conviction for flying a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during the AFC championship game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.

Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com, on X as @ToddKarpovich.

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