Drone Shows Canceled or Paused After Incident in Orlando
Multiple Drone Shows Canceled or Paused
At least five drone shows have been canceled or paused after several drones struck a crowd at a holiday show in Orlando on December 21. The affected locations include Universal Orlando, Orlando World Center Marriott, the cities of Dallas and Austin, Texas, and a New Year’s Eve event in New York City’s Central Park.
Incident Details
Footage captured on December 21 shows drones colliding with each other before falling from the sky during a holiday show at Lake Eola Park. Some drones fell into the lake, some onto the ground, and some into areas where a crowd was watching. A 7-year-old boy was struck in his chest by one of the drones and underwent emergency heart surgery.
Investigation and Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended the waiver of Texas-based Sky Elements Drones, the organization responsible for the show, to fly multiple drones while an investigation is underway. The FAA will investigate the incident alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Sky Elements has released a statement expressing hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted and committing to establishing a clear picture of what transpired.
Regulations and Safety
According to the FAA, drone arrays and light shows are subject to the association’s regulation and require a waiver prohibiting the operation of more than one drone at a time. Each application is thoroughly reviewed for many different factors to ensure the safety of the public.
Conclusion
The incident in Orlando highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of drone shows and the need for strict regulations and oversight. As the investigation continues, it is essential to determine the cause of the malfunction and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the drone show in Orlando?
A: Several drones struck a crowd at a holiday show in Orlando on December 21, causing some drones to fall from the sky and injuring a 7-year-old boy.
Q: Which locations have canceled or paused their drone shows?
A: Universal Orlando, Orlando World Center Marriott, the cities of Dallas and Austin, Texas, and a New Year’s Eve event in New York City’s Central Park have either canceled or paused their drone shows.
Q: Who is responsible for the drone show?
A: Texas-based Sky Elements Drones is the organization responsible for the show.
Q: What is the FAA doing in response to the incident?
A: The FAA has suspended Sky Elements’ waiver to fly multiple drones while an investigation is underway and will investigate the incident alongside the NTSB.
