Key information
Request reference number: MGLA050124-3660
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
It is my understanding that the Mayor of London organised the 2023 New Years Eve fireworks display including the drone display. Videos have emerged on social media of a practice prior to the event where numerous drones, individually and as a group, fell into the river and appeared to be out of control. Please provide any documents or information you have regarding this incident, including any report or referral to the AAIB.
Our response
Please find attached the information that the GLA holds within the scope of your request:
INCIDENT SUMMARY - 30 DECEMBER 2023 (23:56PM) to 31 DECEMBER 2023 (00:09AM)
- Earlier rehearsal at 21:00pm was a ’no fly’ due to increased and unpredictable wind speed
- During the pre-take off period from circa 23:00pm onwards wind speeds had slowed and analysis of available weather data indicated that this would remain the case until approximately 00:30am.
- Identity were informed at 23:18pm the likelihood of drone flight was 50/50, with wind speeds beginning to fluctuate.
- In the lead up to pre-standby (23:54pm) wind speeds were fluctuating. At points, these wind speeds reached the maximum recommended flight speed due to gusts, but were within a tolerance level for the lead pilot to make the operational decision to proceed with flight.
- At 23:56pm a total of 53 drones lifted off and successfully commenced show flight operations.
- The drone show continued flight operations as planned and executed the show sequence as planned.
- During the dark sequence of the show at circa 00:05am the Ground Control Station reported increased pitch of 50 degrees, indicating increased gusts. This was reflecting in the live wind data being monitored.
- In the transition to the final return (at circa 00:07/8am) the wind speeds increased significantly and a proportion of the drones lost their tracking position.
- As a result, the in-built safety protocols took effect, with circa 12 drones atti-landing (resulting in them going in the Thames).
- 26 of the fleet returned to the TOLZ.
- The remaining drones were static in the hover position, fighting against increased wind speed.
- A decision was taken by the Pilot to enact a manual kill of the fleet and land the remaining 15 drones (resulted in them also going in the Thames)
- The drones were very close to the Secondary geofence (noted by our in situ visual observer) at the point of sending the kill command so it is not clear if the kill command or the second geofence resulted in kill action.
- Total 27 drones were lost as a result of this action. All drones landed within the geofence and the allocated safety zone.
- Recommending to relocate the weather station to Westminster Bridge from 12noon for tomorrow and to utilise this as the primary data source for the show.
Whilst an overall event management decision will be taken between 2230 to 2300 tomorrow as to whether to go with SHOW A or SHOW B. The SKYMAGIC Team will continue to monitor the weather conditions from 2300 to 2356PM to make a final ‘go no go’ flight decision by the Pilot in Command up to the take off.