Why
Even a small quadcopter can injure someone after a motor, battery or propeller failure. Rules distinguish involved and uninvolved people, brief overflight and sustained flight, and individual people versus assemblies.
What to do next
- 01Plan a route that avoids uninvolved people.
- 02Use the smallest suitable aircraft and keep exposure brief.
- 03Confirm the country’s weight/class rules and any consent requirements.
- 04Never assume obstacle avoidance prevents a fall.
Important exceptions
- UK/EU A1 rules allow some sub-250 g or class-marked operations over people, but not crowds.
- New Zealand Part 101 requires consent before flight over people.
- Australia generally requires 30 m separation and no overflight for recreational operations.
Safety note: Aircraft behaviour varies by model, firmware and configuration. For legal or safety-critical decisions, use the current manual and official aviation authority guidance.