In-flight emergency

This regulation gives remote pilots in command (drone pilots) emergency authority similar to what manned aircraft pilots have. If you face an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, you may deviate from any Part 107 rule to the extent necessary to handle that emergency. For example, you could fly above 400 feet or beyond visual line of sight if needed to avoid a collision or prevent an accident.

The key limitation is that the deviation must be necessary to meet the emergency—you can only break rules to the extent the situation demands. After using this emergency authority, you must send a written report to the FAA explaining what happened, but only if the Administrator requests one. This means you should be prepared to document and justify your actions, though a report isn't automatically required for every emergency deviation.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*