A drone landed near the White House early Friday after its operator, a D.C. man, lost control of the device, U.S. Park Police said.
Around 1:20 Friday, the drone -- an F182 6 Axis Quadcopter -- was spotted flying near the Washington Monument, and Park Police and Secret Service officers responded to the area.
Authorities say the operator apparently lost control of the drone, leading it to land on the Ellipse. Secret Service officers found it there, just inside the entrance at 16th Street and Constitution Avenue.
Park Police identified the drone's operator as Howard Solomon III, of D.C. He was not arrested. They issued him a citation.
Secret Service officers turned over the drone to Park Police.
Flying any kind of unmanned aircraft or drone is illegal in D.C.
