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Drones Plummet into Sydney Harbour During Show
26 May
Summary
- Ninety drones fell into Sydney's Darling Harbour during an aerial show.
- Technical difficulties caused the drones to enact failsafe landing procedures.
- The incident led to the cancellation of subsequent performances for safety reviews.
During a drone show in Sydney's Darling Harbour, about 90 drones unexpectedly fell into the water. The incident occurred on Monday evening due to "unforeseen technical difficulties" experienced by the drone operators, Skymagic. These issues arose after an "unforeseen change in the radio frequency (RF) environment" compromised the drones' positional accuracy.
In response, the pilot team initiated a stop command and activated a return-to-home protocol. While unaffected drones landed safely, some vehicles enacted failsafe procedures, leading them to fall into the water within the designated safety zone. This event has led to the cancellation of four scheduled performances on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and is gathering further information. While initial assessments have not ruled out deliberate interference, the primary explanation points to a technical malfunction. The ongoing investigation aims to ensure the safety and integrity of future drone light shows.
