Hebei surveying firm fined for unauthorized drone flight, ordered to apologize

A surveying and mapping company in Hebei province has been fined over 120,000 yuan ($16,700) and ordered to publish a public apology for infringing on national defense interests with an unauthorized drone flight.

According to Ynet.com, a news website, the incident occurred in November 2022 when the Sanhe city government contracted the company to conduct an aerial survey of a mining area using drones. However, an unqualified employee, identified only as Lin, operated a self-assembled drone without proper authorization or flight plan.

This unauthorized flight triggered alarms on the military's radar system, prompting a response that incurred financial losses exceeding $16,700. The Langfang City People's Procuratorate filed a civil lawsuit against the company and Lin, seeking compensation and a public apology.

The Langfang City Intermediate People's Court recently held both the company and Lin accountable for the incident. The court imposed the fine and the requirement for a public apology in national media, which both parties accepted.

This case is not the first of its kind. In December 2019, another company faced similar consequences for unauthorized drone flights in restricted areas, causing disruption and financial losses.

To address these concerns, the State Council and the Central Military Commission jointly issued an interim regulation on unmanned aircraft flight in May 2023, effective January 1, 2024. This regulation aims to strengthen safety management and promote the responsible development of the drone industry.