The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has concluded an investigation into a series of unauthorised drone operations conducted by Wills Bros Ltd. during construction activities at a site in Finglas, located south of Dublin Airport.
IAA said infringements took place in GeoZone U27 (EIDW 27), the Dublin Control Zone. The area of operation was under 2km from the airport perimeter.
The investigation found that Wills Bros Ltd. operated drone flights within the Dublin Airport control zone without the required Operational Authorisation and without a UAS (drone) Operator Registration.
“The flights were detected by the Dublin Airport Dedrone detection system. Following detection, the IAA initiated an investigation to determine the extent of the operations, the pilots involved, and the underlying causes of the non-compliance,” IAA said. “In line with the IAA’s safety and enforcement policy, the IAA engaged directly with Wills Bros to achieve early compliance rather than pursue legal avenues. The investigation identified three pilots working for the drone operator who, following instruction from the IAA, have since completed the appropriate training. Additionally, Wills Bros Ltd. has implemented internal procedures to ensure all future UAS operations are conducted under proper authorisation and oversight.”
The IAA’s balanced approach to prioritise learning, accountability and the prevention of future occurrences is part of its “Just Culture” ethos, which helps organisations and individuals engage proactively with the IAA to address safety issues, while maintaining trust and collaboration across the aviation community.
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Image: Dublin Airport
