Missing flight path file led to loss of control of Orlando Christmas drone show: NTSB report

The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report into what happened during a Christmas drone show at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando that caused some of the show's 500 drones to collide with one another, fall from the sky, and send others flying in rogue directions. At least one drone struck a 7-year-old boy, who suffered serious injury and had to undergo heart surgery, according to his family.

The FAA has since suspended a waiver that allows Sky Elements, the drone company hired to put on the show, to put on other drone shows across the country, pending the outcome of its investigation, as well as the NTSB's investigation.

What happened during the Orlando drone show?

What we know:

Hundreds of people gathered at Lake Eola Park on Dec. 21 to see two free holiday-themed drone shows. During the first show, several drones collided with one another, fell to the ground or in Lake Eola, while others appeared to fly in rogue directions, according to investigation reports, as well as viewer video. Others stayed in formation and completed the show.

According to the NTSB's preliminary report, there were a few minor issues within minutes of the first show starting:

  • At first, five of the drones were not accepting launch data.
  • Officials troubleshooted some of the Wi-Fi access points and connected all 500 drones to the network.
  • Officials conducted a "soft reboot" to bring the shows into "show ready" mode. All but two – 498 drones – seemed ready for the show. The two that did not connect were pulled, the report said.
  • Shortly after the first show started, the pilot noted that the drones did not launch "uniformly," and when the drones shifted positions, began to crash into one another.
  • The NTSB found that a "launch parameter file" which contained the final flight data for the drones was never sent, and that the "show center was not completely aligned."
  • A review of the logs found that the show's position was rotated by 7 degrees. That change in position also allowed the "geo hard fence" to be too close to the crowds, the report said.

Read the NTSB's preliminary report:

Orlando boy injured after being struck by falling drone

The backstory:

The incident happened during the City of Orlando's 6:30 p.m. holiday drone show on Dec. 21, the first of two scheduled for the evening.

According to the contract with the City of Orlando, the 500 drones operated by Sky Elements were meant to fly above the lake, staying clear of the crowd in designated areas. However, during the show, several drones collided midair and fell into the lake. 

One drone struck a 7-year-old boy, sending the child to the hospital. Alezander was hurt after being hit by a falling drone, his parents, Adriana Edgerton and Jessica Lumsden, told FOX 35 News. He was knocked out on impact, his parents said, and he later underwent open-heart surgery for a chest injury and is recovering.
 

Alezander is recovering from heart surgery after he was hit by a drone during holiday drone show mishap in downtown Orlando. (Credit: Jessica Lumsden)

His family spent the holidays in the hospital, according to a GoFundMe account. FOX 35 has reached out to the boy's parents for an update, but our messages have not been returned. In an interview with another news outlet, the boy was discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home. More than $35,000 was raised via GoFundMe, according to the last check.

How big were the drones?

What we know:

The drones themselves were relatively small — 10.8 inches in length and width, and 4.9 inches in height. Each weighed a little more than 2 pounds. Each drone had four propellers.

Who is Sky Elements?

What we know:

Sky Elements Drone Shows is a Texas-based entertainment company that puts on professional drone shows across the country, according to its website. 

At IAAPA Expo 2024, the company reportedly set a new Guinness World Record – its 10th – for the "largest aerial display of a bird formed by multi-rotors/drones." Sky Elements drone show used 2,484 drones. The record to beat was 984, a news release said. 

What is Sky Elements doing to prevent this from happening again?

What they're saying:

In response to the incident, Sky Elements has proposed several measures to the FAA aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future. These include:  

  • Allowing additional on-site preparation time before showtime to alleviate time pressures.
  • Establish an on-call system requiring a chief pilot or second in command "to verify all the necessary steps have been completed before showtime."
  • Providing additional training for all remote pilots in command of the drones.

FOX 35 reached out to Sky Elements for comment on the NTSB report, but did not immediately hear back.

The next day, Sky Elements released a statement to FOX 35 on the report.

"Sky Elements is fully committed to safety, transparency and continuous improvement," representatives said in the prepared statement. "The NTSB’s preliminary report revealed that this was an isolated incident involving actions outside the scope of our established operating procedures, which are specifically designed to prioritize safety and prevent such occurrences. Sky Elements has a proven track record of delivering safe, high-quality performances."

To further strengthen its existing safety protocols and incorporate the NTSB’s recommendations, Sky Elements said it has introduced the following enhancements…

  •  Additional time has been allocated to pre-show procedures to enhance our already thorough safety checks of all systems and environmental conditions before launch. 
  • An updated requirement for two licensed pilots to fly each show, who will independently confirm the completion of pre-flight procedures, introducing an additional layer of oversight and accountability. 
  • Incorporate advanced safety protocols, additional emergency procedures and evolving best practices in drone show operations into our industry-leading training programs.

 "These enhancements reflect our commitment to operational excellence and our determination to prevent such events from occurring in the future," Sky Elementsa said. "We will continue refining our processes in collaboration with relevant authorities and sharing updates as appropriate to maintain the highest standards of safety and innovation in the drone show industry."

Previously, Sky Elements had released one statement after the mishap.

"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."

FAA suspends Sky Elements waiver

What's next:

The FAA has suspended Sky Elements "Part 107 Waiver," which essentially allows it to conduct drone shows near crowds of people and at night, restrictions in place for most commercial drone pilots.

It is not clear when that waiver will be reinstated. The FAA said safety would be its guide.

A spokesperson for the NTSB said it could take up to 2 years for its complete investigation.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

OrlandoFloridaOrange County