Security questions over drone landing

The drone that crashed onto the White House grounds. Pictures / AP

A hapless United States government worker was apparently responsible for a small drone that crashed on the White House grounds early yesterday.

The miniature "quad copter" sparked a major security alert when it hit a tree on the South Lawn. The Secret Service put the executive mansion on lockdown, fearing there might be something sinister behind the drone's flight.

But according to the New York Times, the aircraft was being controlled by a government employee who lost control and accidentally flew it over the most-protected address in America.

It is not clear if he will be charged.

The 60cm-long aircraft was spotted at 3.08am and led to a mass of Secret Service agents combing the grounds of the White House with flashlights.

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, are travelling in India but their two daughters are believed to have been at the White House at the time.

The incident raises fresh questions about the security systems at the executive mansion.

In mid-September, a disturbed veteran named Omar Gonzalez scaled the White House fence and evaded Secret Service police to burst through the unlocked front door.

When he was finally tackled, he was found to be carrying a small knife.