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FAA looking into drone flight over Chiefs-Panthers game

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a drone that flew into Bank of America Stadium during last week's preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs.
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The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an unmanned aircraft which flew into Bank of America Stadium during last week's preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs, the Charlotte Observer's Mark Wasburn reports.

The operator of the drone was questioned by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and released. The FAA will now handle the investigation.

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The drone was spotted flying over the stadium during the fourth quarter of the Aug. 17 game in Charlotte. Unmanned aircrafts are prohibited from flying over stadiums.

More from Washburn:

Brandon Parks was in Section 105 when he noticed the object with flashing green and red lights with about 6 minutes left in the game. “It had all of our section’s attention and the cops. Then a helicopter came and flashed a light on it and then the drone vanished downward behind the Wells Fargo building. And that was all we saw of it.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is aware of the investigation and has its own policy banning drones from stadiums and parking lots.

- Paul Palladino