Drone Hobbyist Accused of 8,000m Illegal Flights

A drone enthusiast has been accused of illegally modifying his aircraft and flying it to altitudes exceeding 8,000 meters in unauthorized operations that allegedly endangered civil aviation safety, Chinese authorities said yesterday.

In an article published on its official WeChat account, the Ministry of State Security said the individual used software to crack built-in altitude limits and no-fly zone restrictions. He also allegedly altered the drone's mechanical and electrical hardware without authorization.

The ministry didn't specify the identity of the offender or the place where it happened.

Authorities said the suspect repeatedly operated the drone within civil aviation routes without approval. At altitudes above 8,000 meters — close to the cruising height of commercial airliners — small drones are difficult for radar systems to detect due to their size and speed, significantly increasing risks to passenger aircraft.

High-altitude conditions such as strong winds, low temperatures and low air pressure can further impair drone performance and disrupt communications, raising the likelihood of loss of control and intrusion into regulated flight paths.

After securing evidence, national security authorities, in coordination with relevant departments, imposed "criminal coercive measures," which usually refers to criminal detention, against the suspect. He is suspected of endangering public safety by dangerous means and could face severe legal consequences.

China's revised Public Security Administration Punishment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2026, explicitly classifies unauthorized drone flights as acts endangering public safety and stipulates administrative detention of five to 10 days in serious cases.

Under the Interim Regulations on the Administration of the Flight of Unmanned Aircraft, modifications to civil drone systems must comply with mandatory national standards, and flights in controlled airspace require approval from air traffic management authorities.

If illegal drone operations seriously threaten public safety, offenders may also face criminal charges under the Criminal Law. Penalties range from three to 10 years in prison if no major harm results, and more than 10 years, life imprisonment or even the death penalty if the acts cause serious injury, death or significant property losses.