CAAS suspends use of drone model after crash at one-north condo
All drone operations of H3 Dynamics Holdings have also been suspended while investigations are carried out.
The Hexadrone Tundra 2 drone and One-North Residences condominium. (Images: AFP/Oliver Chassingnole; Facebook/One-North Residences)
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
SINGAPORE: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has suspended the drone operations of a commercial unmanned aircraft (UA) operator as well as the use of a specific drone model, after the latter crashed on the grounds of a condominium in the one-north area on Jul 19.
On that day, the operator of the drone, H3 Dynamics Holdings, had conducted a series of UA flights with the Hexadrone TUNDRA 2 at the One-North drone estate, CAAS said on Tuesday (Jul 23).
The flights were specifically conducted over the premises of the PIXEL building for the purpose of developing a command control station for the UA.
At about 6pm, the UA, which was on its eighth flight of the day, "flew outside of its approved activity area and crashed-landed on the grounds of One-North Residences", the authority added.
While there were no reported injuries from the incident, CAAS said it "takes a serious view of this incident and is conducting a full investigation".
In 2018, one-north was designated as Singapore's first drone estate to "facilitate the trial of innovative UA systems technologies and commercial use-cases in a controlled urban environment", according to the authority's website.
Approved operators and research users can carry out their drone trials and operations at one-north without compromising safety and security as part of the initiative.
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS INDICATE DRONE MALFUNCTION
Preliminary findings have revealed there was a malfunction of the UA's positioning sensors, which caused it to deviate from its planned flight, CAAS said.
"Pending the conclusion of the investigation, CAAS has suspended all UA operations of H3 Dynamics Holdings and the use of Hexadrone TUNDRA 2 in Singapore," it added.
While the authority noted that there are no other Hexadrone TUNDRA 2 models registered for use in Singapore, other than the one that was operated by H3 Dynamics Holdings, it urged all UA operator permit holders to review their safety procedures and processes.
"We have suspended the operator and the use of the UA type as a safety pause while we conduct a full investigation into the incident," said Mr Maran Paramanathan, CAAS director (unmanned systems policy, regulations and operations).
"We urge all UA users to conduct UA activities safely and responsibly.”
The Hexadrone TUNDRA 2 is a drone that was developed, built and tested in France. It weighs almost 5kg without the battery, can carry up to 4kg and fly for nearly 60 mins.
At a starting price of €14,280 (US$15,501), it is a multi-purpose drone that can be used in a variety of scenarios, such as industrial security, site protection, industrial inspections and precision agriculture.
According to its website, H3 Dynamics Holdings is involved in the development of hydrogen solutions for airports, aircraft and drone original equipment manufacturers.
