Authorities arrest man who flew drone near Goodwin Fire

PHOENIX — A man whose use of a drone grounded air tankers fighting the Goodwin Fire was arrested on Saturday, according to a release from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

The blaze near Prescott, Arizona had caused evacuations in multiple communities and prompted the use of airplanes to fight the blaze. But 54-year-old Gene Alan Carpenter of Prescott Valley flew his drone near the fire, creating a safety concern. Planes were grounded for the rest of the day.

Carpenter was arrested on suspicion of unlawful operation of an unmanned aircraft and endangerment.

“Carpenter recklessly endangered 14 aircraft/aircrews and associated ground fire crews with a substantial risk of imminent death or physical injury by flying an unmanned drone aircraft in closed airspace above an active fire area,” a statement said.

The Sheriff’s Office report stated that Carpenter had posted drone photos of the fire to his personal website. That, along with witness information and descriptions of the drone, led deputies on a search for the drone’s pilot.

The report also said detectives are meeting with federal officials to discuss further charges on the bases of Federal TFRs (temporary flight restrictions).

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