A camera-wielding drone was spotted flying over the Panthers-Chiefs preseason game at the Bank of America Stadium Thursday night.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police discussed the issue on Tuesday, according to the Charlotte Observer. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department spokesman Rob Tufano said the drone's operator was detained by authorities and released after questioning.
Tufano added that the information they received about the drone was given to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is in charge of issues involving the machinesa, and that the NFL and the FAA has made invasion of Panther airspace illegal.
"We have leaguewide policies that prohibit any type of drone in parking lots or in stadiums," said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.
The FAA classifies stadiums and major airports as Class B airspace, one of the most restricted airspaces around, NBC Sports reported. Use of unmanned aircraft is banned in Class B airspace.
The drone was spotted by witnesses who said they saw it towards the end of the game, until it was hit by lights from a helicopter and disappeared by a building that was close by.
Panthers spokesman Charles Dayton said the team didn't know about the incident with the drone until they were asked about it by a reporter, the Charlotte Observer reported. McCarthy said he was not aware of drones flying over any other NFL stadiums.
"We are closely monitoring this issue with our clubs," McCarthy said.
The FAA said it received a report about the drone from Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, and that the incident is currently under investigation.
