Event Description
On 6 May 2023, a light aircraft pilot reported to the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Board (AAIIB) that while parking his aircraft in the light aircraft parking area at Larnaca International Airport, he saw and heard a multi-rotor drone hovering over a helicopter with registration M FRSH. The pilot immediately contacted the Airport Operations Officer and reported the drone overflight. The drone then flew toward Larnaca city road but returned ten minutes later and again hovered over the helicopter. The pilot contacted the Airport Operations Officer a second time. Upon leaving the airport, the pilot observed a police officer speaking with a person next to a vehicle with the drone positioned on its roof. The pilot provided a statement to the police.
Investigation Findings
On 8 May 2023, the AAIIB sent an email to the police and the airport safety manager requesting information. The airport operator replied on 15 May, directing the AAIIB to the person responsible for occurrence reporting. The Health, Safety and Environment department manager confirmed awareness of the incident and stated that the Airport Police and the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) had been informed. The police confirmed the incident and outlined their actions in a letter dated 15 May. On 27 May, the AAIIB requested details on the police investigation. The police replied on 20 July, stating that the drone operator was a Russian citizen, that they had contacted the DCA and Air Traffic Control (ATC), and that the operator held a license and permission to operate near the airport. The police cautioned the operator and instructed him to comply with Cypriot law.
On 13 September 2023, the AAIIB requested information from SATCO Larnaca Airport and the DCA's drone department. SATCO replied that the police had not contacted them regarding the incident. The DCA reported on 14 September that the operator was not registered with them. On 15 September, the AAIIB contacted the DCA and the airport director; the DCA stated they were unaware of the incident. On 29 September, a letter was sent to Larnaca Police Station requesting information on the Russian citizen and actions taken. The police replied on 3 November, stating the incident was under investigation.
Operator Information
The drone operator was a Russian citizen living in Limassol, Cyprus. He stated he had no knowledge of Cypriot law or EU directives. He bought the drone in Cyprus and registered it with a Cypriot company and a Chinese company, but not with the Cyprus DCA. He unlocked the drone using an application provided by the Chinese company, allowing operation near the airport. He operated the drone over the light aircraft apron for recreational purposes.
Drone Information
The drone was a Minipro with four rotors, weighing 2.49 grams (with camera) and carrying serial number 1581F4XF8L350006E006.
Meteorological Conditions
Meteorological conditions at Larnaca Airport were reported as good, with CAVOK (Ceiling And Visibility OK).
Regulatory Violations
The AAIIB and the DCA jointly determined that the drone operator violated Cypriot Civil Aviation Law 2002–2015, Ministerial Decree of 9 November 2015 (articles 6 and 8, by virtue of article 5), EU Directive 947/2019 for drone operation, and EU Directive 833/2014 article 3d regarding sanctions for Russian citizens. The area within 8 kilometers of the airport is a non-drone zone.