H3 Dynamics, a commercial unmanned aircraft (UA) operator, will face legal charges following a serious drone incident in the one-north area. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced on Friday, October 25, that it has completed its investigation into the incident and will revoke H3 Dynamics’ permission to conduct flight tests and demonstrations.
Incident Details
On July 19, H3 Dynamics was conducting a series of test flights involving the TUNDRA 2 drone, manufactured by Hexadrone. During the eighth flight, the drone lost control shortly after takeoff and crashed into a nearby condominium building. While a fire broke out, it was quickly extinguished by residents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident resulted in damage to the drone and the building.
CAAS Investigation Findings
CAAS’s investigation revealed several critical operational failures on the part of H3 Dynamics:
Non-compliance with Operations Manual: H3 Dynamics did not adhere to certain procedures outlined in its operations manual, which was submitted to CAAS as part of the operator permit application.
Unauthorized Drone Modification: The TUNDRA 2 drone involved in the incident had been modified by H3 Dynamics without prior notification or approval from CAAS.
Unlicensed Pilot: The drone operator did not possess a valid UA pilot license.
CFMS Non-Compliance: H3 Dynamics failed to comply with the Centralised Flight Management System (CFMS) procedures, which are designed to alert operators and CAAS when a drone deviates from its approved flight path.
CAAS Action
In light of these findings, CAAS has taken decisive action to ensure public safety and uphold aviation regulations. H3 Dynamics will be prosecuted for its negligence, and the company’s flight test and demonstration privileges have been revoked.
CAAS remains committed to safeguarding the public and promoting responsible drone operations. The authority will continue to enforce strict regulations and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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