Drone stops Ravens game: NFL in alarm mode!

The playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers was interrupted in the third quarter. The reason for the interruption was a sighted drone near the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. NFL referee Alex Kemp received the instruction from the authorities to stop the game immediately. The interruption took several minutes while the US television switched to advertising. Reporter Kaylee Hartung confirmed that the game was interrupted because of the drone.

In the past, there have been similar incidents in Baltimore, including the NFL semi-final between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Ravens. The drone pilot of the previous incident was sentenced to one year for probation. During NFL games there are strict flight ban zones: an hour before and after the game, no flight objects may rise within five kilometers if there are more than 30,000 spectators in the stadium. With the Super Bowl, a radius of 55 kilometers is considered blocked. In addition, the FBI had warned of the dangers of drone flights over stadiums before the game.

interruption and the course of the game

Despite the interruption, the Ravens won the game with 28:14. Running Back Derrick Henry achieved 186 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Lamar Jackson threw two touchdowns and ran for 86 yards. The Steelers had only 44 yards offensive in the first half and have now lost six playoff games in a row; The last victory was on January 15, 2007 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would briefly delay the Ravens Bengal game in Baltimore after a drone. During events in stadiums with at least 30,000 seats, including NFL and MLB games, as well as in the hour before and after these events are prohibited within a radius of three miles. The FAA examines all reports on unauthorized drone operations and conducts investigations if this is appropriate. When violating the temporary flight restriction on Thursday evening, the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland State Police found the drone to land the drone immediately. The operator was not aware of the restrictions and had no approval to operate the drone during the game in the stadium air.

The Maryland Stadium Authority installed 2021 technologies for recognizing and defending drones as well as signs that remind the fans that it is a "no drone zone". Stopping the game, while a drone flies over the seats of a stadium, is a safety requirement for the NFL. Ravens coach John Harbaugh commented that it was the first time that he saw drones during a game. Drone operators who carry out uncertain operations that endanger other planes or people on the ground could be occupied by fines of over 30,000 or their drone pilot licenses.