Man behind White House drone crash incident claims was a 'recreational accident'

Shortly after a drone was recovered within the precincts of the White House, the man operating the drone has called on the United States Secret Service to "self-report" his involvement after seeing reports of the incident on the news.

The drone's owner, who is a government employee, said that he was using it "recreationally." Brian Leary, Secret Service spokesman said that he has been interviewed by the agency and has been fully cooperative, reported the CNN.

He added that initial investigation suggested that the incident occurred as a result of recreational use of the device.

The Secret Service shut down the White House shortly after 3 a.m. after an officer spotted a two-foot wide "quad copter" flying above the grounds before crashing on the southeast side of the complex. The drone was flying at a very low altitude.

It is believed to have taken off from a neighbourhood in the east of the White House, a Secret Service source said.

Leary said that the agency will continue to probe the incident through "corroborative interviews, forensic examinations and reviews of all other investigative leads."

U.S. President Barack Obama and the first lady are both away, traveling in India.