A man’s reckless drone flight disrupted the operations of Tengah Air Base, forcing the diversion of two RSAF aircraft and leading to a runway closure
In September 2020, a man illegally flew his drone into the flight path of two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft, causing both planes to be diverted and a half-hour runway closure at Tengah Air Base. The incident occurred as the aircraft were preparing to land, and the drone’s presence posed a significant risk of collision, endangering both the crew’s lives and public safety.
Jason Ng Yok Sen, aged 43, pleaded guilty to three charges of air navigation offences, with 14 additional charges to be considered at his sentencing. On the evening of September 8, 2020, Ng flew his DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone from Taman Jurong Park for 22 minutes, covering a distance of 930 metres. The drone reached a maximum altitude of 134 metres, putting it directly in the flight path of aircraft approaching Tengah Air Base.
As the aircraft were within an hour of landing, the drone was detected by the base’s aeroscope at 7.45pm, leading to immediate action. The RSAF had to reroute the aircraft and close the runway to avoid a potential collision.
This was not Ng’s first dangerous flight. Between May and October 2020, he flew his drone on multiple occasions at altitudes exceeding 60 metres and in airspace near Tengah Air Base without a permit. On one flight, he took the drone to a maximum altitude of 136 metres, flying dangerously close to people, buildings, and vehicles, endangering both their safety and the integrity of the aircraft.
The prosecution has called for a fine of between S$53,000 and S$63,000, noting that this case is the first to involve a drone flight that disrupted the operation of an airbase and endangered aircraft in flight. The penalties for such offences are severe, with offenders facing fines and imprisonment depending on the severity of the risk posed.
The case highlights the serious consequences of unregulated drone use in sensitive airspace and serves as a reminder of the importance of following aviation safety rules to prevent harm.
