Drone spotted at stadium during Phillies game

Police questioned the operator of a drone spotted flying briefly above the third-base gate at Sunday's Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. No charges were filed.

The incident occurred about 4 p.m. when Phillies security staff saw the drone, said Sal DeAngelis, the team's director of security.

DeAngelis said it was unclear how high the drone went but it was easily visible to security personnel who were standing at the third-base gate. It did not reach airspace over the field, he said, or disrupt the game.

Security and Philadelphia police easily located the drone operator outside the stadium. The man cooperated with authorities and was released, he said.

The remote-controlled drone, which had a camera attached, was confiscated by authorities but will be returned, DeAngelis said. Police are investigating and it was not immediately clear whether the operator would face any charges. DeAngelis declined to identify the man.

DeAngelis confirmed that the man was carrying a handgun, but had a license to carry it.

The man could face a Federal Aviation Administration fine. FAA rules bar flying drones below 3,000 feet and within three miles of baseball or football stadiums with a seating capacity of at least 30,000.

Drone sightings have become increasingly common and worrisome over stadiums, especially during college and NFL games.

Poorly supervised drones and remote-controlled aircraft can pose a safety hazard.

A 19-year-old man was killed in 2013 in a park in Brooklyn, N.Y., when he lost control of his remote-controlled helicopter and it struck him in the head.

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