Drone vendor refunds 40K after SeaTac Fourth of July drone show flops

The Fourth of July drone show at Angle Lake in SeaTac, designed as a quieter alternative to fireworks, ended in disaster when over 50 drones crashed into the lake due to a GPS failure, leaving an estimated 8,000 spectators confused and disappointed. The $40,000 display, operated by Great Lakes Drones Company, has prompted the company to offer a full refund and take responsibility for the recovery of the drones, with divers successfully retrieving 48 of the downed units. Deputy City Manager Gwen Volpel noted that the operator, who has been in business since 2016 and conducts 150-200 shows annually, was devastated by the incident but is committed to rectifying the situation. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage occurred, as the drones landed with low velocity impact. The city emphasized the reputable nature of the drone operator, while the malfunction has attracted interest from the drone industry.

An investigation by the FAA is expected to take several months to determine the cause of the GPS disruption. This incident raises significant concerns regarding the safety and reliability of drone technology for public displays, especially those intended to replace traditional fireworks, affecting not only the local community but also future drone operations in public events.