The ATSB is investigating control issues during an RPAS swarm display using 500 DAMODA Newton 2.2 RPAs at Docklands Harbour, Victoria on 14 July 2023.
During an RPAS light show, multiple aircraft within the swarm experienced un-commanded movement, resulting in multiple errors presenting on the ground control station, failsafe mode activations, collisions with water, each other and multiple aircraft escaping the geo-fence. 440 of the RPAs were lost.
The draft report internal review process has been completed. The draft report has been distributed to directly involved parties (DIPs) to check factual accuracy and ensure natural justice. Any submissions from those parties will be reviewed and, where considered appropriate, the draft report will be amended accordingly.
Following the external review process, any submissions and amendments to the draft report are internally reviewed. Once approved, the final report is prepared for publication and dissemination and released to DIPs prior to its public release.
The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.