Recreational / Hobbyist UAS pilot learned during post flight they inadvertently flew during an active TFR without authorization.

Date: 2025-07 · Aircraft: Small UAS (At or above 0.55 lbs and less than 55 lbs) · Phase: cruise

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

Synopsis

Recreational / Hobbyist UAS pilot learned during post flight they inadvertently flew during an active TFR without authorization.

Narrative

On Day 0; at about XA:10; I decided to fly my Small UAS from home. I had just received a new flashing light accessory and was excited to try it out. This location is within the outer most shelf of the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) Class B Air Space; approximately 12 mile ENE of PIT. The outer shelf is from 8000 to 4000 ft (MSL). I also will acknowledge the existence of an arrival corridor nearby 8000 to 3000 ft (MSL). It was midafternoon on a clear; hot; humid day. I made a spur of the moment decision (which was carelessness) and elected to fly my drone to work with the new flashing light. The purpose of the flight was a quick recreational flight to improve skills and test flashing light. The drone was placed in my driveway (elevation about 1060 ft MSL) climbed to an attitude of 400 ft AGL; flight altitude just under 1460 ft. The weight of the drone as flown was about 308 grams with intelligent flight battery and flashing light accessory. I was observing the drone with new flashing light to improve visual location. Greatest distance from point of departure was about 1200 feet west of the departure point. The drone was kept in visual contact. Landed drone and then suddenly recalled the presence of the TFR which I read first time this morning. There was no malice intended; simply a foolish lapse in judgement.

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