Part 107 UAS pilot reported a brief entry into controlled airspace without authorization. The pilot immediately exited the controlled airspace.

Date: 2025-02 · Aircraft: DJI Mini 4 Pro

Anomalies: airspace-violation-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-unauthorized-flight-operations-uas|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Part 107 UAS pilot reported a brief entry into controlled airspace without authorization. The pilot immediately exited the controlled airspace.

Narrative

As the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC); I was operating a DJI Mini 4 Pro with a Plus Battery (total weight 291g) for a commercial photography flight.The flight took place at Location A in Class C Airspace with a designated maximum altitude of 100 feet.Day 0 approx. XA:40am The incident occurred during an automated MasterShots flight.My drone was flying an automated MasterShots circuit. Upon realizing that the automation would exceed the 100-foot altitude restriction; I stopped the flight immediately. However; due to inertia; the drone continued to climb slightly; reaching a maximum altitude of 32 meters (104.9 feet)--4.9 feet into controlled airspace. I immediately lowered the altitude back below 100 feet.The altitude violation occurred due to the inertia of the drone after stopping the automated flight. I failed to anticipate the impact of momentum in an automated flight mode.To prevent this in the future; I will never fly automated MasterShots in areas with height restrictions. Additionally; I will manually control flights in restricted airspace to ensure strict adherence to altitude limits.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.