FAA suspends Sky Elements drone company after child injury at show
- A drone show incident in Florida injured a 7-year-old boy who required heart surgery.
- The FAA has suspended the Part 107 Waiver for Sky Elements Drones, banning nighttime operations.
- Ongoing investigations seek to improve safety standards and prevent future drone-related accidents.
In recent events surrounding a holiday airshow in Orlando, Florida, a serious incident occurred involving a malfunction during a drone display. On December 21, 2024, multiple drones, which were part of a synchronized aerial light show, failed and fell, striking a 7-year-old boy named Alexander, who subsequently lost consciousness and required open-heart surgery. The situation has raised alarms regarding drone safety regulations and operational oversight, leading to federal investigations. The collision of the drones has prompted both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to conduct thorough inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the event, which included examining the number of drones involved and how many malfunctioned during the performance.