1 injured after Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola, officials say
ORLANDO, Fla. - FOX 35 has received the following statement from the Federal Aviation Administration Spokesperson:
FAA Statement
Several small drones collided and fell into a crowd during a holiday drone show over Eloa Lake in Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, December 21. The FAA will investigate.
Background
Drone arrays and light shows are subject to FAA regulation. Typically, these events require a waiver to the regulation that prohibits operating more than one drone at a time. We thoroughly review each drone-show application to make sure the flying public and people on the ground will be safe. Among other things, we review:
- The software controlling the drones
- Procedures on setting up safe and restricted areas to keep people a safe distance from the show
- Procedures in the event a single or multiple drones fail
- Procedures if an aircraft gets too close to the show
- How the operator keeps the drones within a confined area using GeoFencing
- Whether the operator has an adequate number of people to run the show
One person was transported to an area hospital after "technical difficulties" at the Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola on Saturday night, according to the Orlando Fire Department.
FOX 35's Manny Martinez spoke with the parents of a 7-year-old child that was taken to the hospital after the event. Officials with the Orlando Police Department have been in contact with the victim's family and will continue to investigate the incident, according to Orlando city officials.
A video from X user MosquitoCoFL shows what looks to be the drones from the 6:30 p.m. show crashing down into the lake.
The city later canceled the second drone show at 8 p.m. due to "technical difficulties."
A spokesperson with the City of Orlando said the Federal Aviation Administration is handling the investigation. In a statement to FOX 35, a city official said: "We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred with the operation. FAA is handling the investigation."
It is not yet clear what led to the drone malfunctions. OPD said it is the second year using Sky Elements Drones as its vendor to operate the drones.
The Holiday Dine Show was permitted by the FAA, according to city officials.
Sky Elements Drones later released the following statement:
"Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted at our Lake Eola show in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 21. The well-being of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused.
We are diligently working with the FAA and City of Orlando officials to determine the cause and are committed to establishing a clear picture of what transpired. Millions of people see our shows annually, and we are committed to maintaining the highest safety regulations set forth by the FAA."