Madison County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Drone Incident at Big Bang Boom Event

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating an incident that occurred during Saturday night’s Big Bang Boom fireworks event in which a juvenile was injured after being struck by a drone.

Through a cooperative effort between Big Bang Boom event organizers, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Norfolk Police Department, the aircraft was successfully identified using specialized drone identification equipment before contact was made with the pilot. The pilot voluntarily approached law enforcement and has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation.

The incident is currently being reviewed to determine whether any violations of Nebraska law occurred. Upon completion of the investigation, the findings will also be forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review. It is important to remember that drone operations and the regulation of the National Airspace System fall under the exclusive authority of the FAA, not state, county, or municipal governments.

Drone Safety Reminder

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all drone operators to fly safely and responsibly.

Due to the proximity of the Norfolk Regional Airport, the majority of the City of Norfolk lies within controlled airspace. Drone operators are required to obtain FAA authorization through the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system before operating in these areas.

All drone pilots should follow these important safety guidelines:

• Always maintain visual line of sight with your drone.
• Do not operate above 400 feet above ground level unless specifically authorized by the FAA.
• Always yield the right-of-way to manned aircraft.
• Never fly over people or moving vehicles unless authorized by the FAA or operating in compliance with applicable FAA regulations.

Large community events such as fireworks displays, outdoor concerts, festivals, and county fairs often utilize drones operated by FAA-certified public safety personnel or professional videographers. Unauthorized personal drone operations near these events can create dangerous conflicts with these aircraft and present significant safety hazards to spectators and event participants.

Anyone planning to operate a drone near a large public event is encouraged to contact local law enforcement before flying. Coordinating in advance helps ensure a safe, de-conflicted airspace for everyone involved.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the cooperation of the drone pilot, Big Bang Boom organizers, the Norfolk Police Department, and all those who assisted during this incident. The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information is being released at this time.

Sheriff Todd Volk

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