NTSB: Multiple errors led to Lake Eola drone show crash that injured 7-year-old child

A recent National Transportation Safety Board report found that several configuration mistakes and insufficient oversight caused the drone crash at Lake Eola during a holiday light show, which seriously injured a 7-year-old boy.On December 21, 2024, Sky Elements LLC’s drone show with 500 drones , causing midair collisions, some drones falling, one hitting 7-year-old Zander causing serious injuries.The NTSB reported that an incorrect center point was entered into the software for the drone show, placing it about 5 meters (16.4 feet) off from the intended location. This error caused the system to assign drones to incorrect flight paths.Investigators also discovered the show’s heading was entered incorrectly and rotated by about 7 degrees. The misalignment shifted the show’s flight position by about 18 meters, or 59 feet, closer to spectators.The NTSB reported that errors led to several drones crossing paths during takeoff, causing collisions seen on video. Investigators found that when t