Philadelphia Drone Pilot Faces Historic FAA Enforcement

In a significant enforcement action, a Philadelphia drone operator has been permanently banned from flying drones in the United States following alleged violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The case, United States of America v. Michael DiCiurcio (Case No. 24-0612), highlights increasingly stringent enforcement of drone safety regulations by federal authorities.

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Michael DiCiurcio, who admitted to multiple violations of FAA regulations during drone flights in Philadelphia’s downtown area. The consent judgment, agreed to before Magistrate Judge Jose Arteaga on January 23, 2025, and signed by Chief Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg on January 29, 2025, follows a series of alleged unsafe operations.

Drone Pilot DiCiurcio’s Alleged Violations

According to the United States’ complaint, DiCiurcio’s alleged violations occurred between December 2019 to the present, including:

• Night flights in close proximity to prominent Philadelphia landmarks including the William Penn Statue, PSFS Building, and Liberty One Building
• Operations in controlled airspace near Philadelphia International Airport
• Flights over people and vehicles
• A near-collision with a church steeple
• At least one incident where DiCiurcio lost control of the drone, causing it to fly uncontrolled over Philadelphia

The progression of enforcement actions is particularly noteworthy in this case. Despite receiving written warnings, counseling, and Education from the FAA regarding safe operations requirements, DiCiurcio allegedly continued to operate drones illegally and in a manner deemed careless or reckless. This led to a preliminary injunction in February 2024, which DiCiurcio was later found in contempt of, resulting in a court-ordered surrender of his drone equipment on May 23, 2024.

Under the terms of the consent judgment, DiCiurcio has:

• Admitted that all allegations of his conduct in the Verified Complaint are true and accurate
• Acknowledged violations of FAA regulations and safety guidance
• Accepted administrative findings that may be considered aggravating factors in any future enforcement proceedings
• Agreed to never operate any type of drone within the United States
• Committed to never seek any type of drone certification or license
• Agreed to take down the “Philly Drone Life” YouTube channel and not resurrect its content
• Abandoned all drone equipment previously surrendered to the FAA

Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson emphasized the agency’s approach to enforcement:

“We work hard to educate people about safely flying their drones, and we don’t hesitate to take strong enforcement action when pilots deliberately flout the rules.”

U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero underscored the serious nature of drone safety violations:

“Failing to adhere to the safety requirements for flying small unmanned aircraft systems endangers people and property. Our Office is committed to ensuring total compliance with the FAA regulations and we will vigorously enforce violations wherever we find them.”

The case, investigated by the FAA’s Flight Standards Division and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Viveca D. Parker. This enforcement action comes at a time when the FAA is working to integrate an increasing number of drones into the national airspace while maintaining safety standards.

Industry observers note that this case could set a precedent for future enforcement actions against repeat offenders of drone regulations, particularly in urban areas where the risks to public safety are heightened. The lifetime ban represents a new level of enforcement that could become more common in cases of repeated, willful violations.

As drone usage continues to expand across recreational and commercial sectors, this case serves as a reminder of the FAA’s commitment to enforcing safety regulations through coordinated efforts with other federal agencies.