Drone mishap during Orlando holiday aerial show sends child to hospital
A child was hospitalized on Saturday after being hit by a drone that was part of an Orlando, Florida holiday drone show. According to the Orlando Fire Department, a 7-year-old boy was transported to the hospital because of injuries sustained from the falling drones.
In a video posted online by MosquitoCoFL, hundreds of drones being used as part of an aerial light show appeared to be flying into position before several started falling from the sky and slamming to the ground. A man could be heard saying to children nearby, “Oh no! I don’t believe they’re supposed to be falling.”
Geese could also be seen on the water, flapping their wings to try and get out of the way of the chaotic scene. City officials stated that the holiday drone show was permitted by the FAA. However, after one drone malfunctioned during the show, the city decided to cancel the second show scheduled for that night at 8 p.m. due to “technical difficulties.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be investigating the cause of the drone show malfunction. The agency stated that drone arrays and light shows are subject to FAA regulations and typically require a waiver to a regulation that prohibits operating more than one drone at a time.
For each drone show application, the FAA reviews factors such as the software controlling the drones, procedures for setting up safe and restricted areas to keep people a safe distance from the show, protocols in case drones fail, and measures for when an aircraft gets too close to the show. The FAA also evaluates how the operator will keep the drones inside a confined area using Geofencing, and whether the operator has an adequate number of people to run the show.
The City of Orlando used Sky Elements Drones as its vendor for the second year to operate the drones during the holiday show. Sky Elements Drones expressed their hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted by the incident and stated their commitment to working with the FAA and City of Orlando officials to determine the cause. The company emphasized that safety is their top priority and that they adhere to the highest safety regulations set forth by the FAA.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and protocols when operating drones, especially in crowded areas. As the investigation continues, authorities will work to ensure that future drone shows are conducted safely to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
