The company faced charges after a drone crashed at One-North Residences in July

SINGAPORE – A commercial drone operator will face prosecution after a drone flew over hit a housing estate at one midnight on July 19.

H3 Dynamics will be charged with operating a drone in a manner likely to endanger life and property, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced on October 25.

If found guilty, the company could face a fine of up to $100,000.

The drone pilot who operated the flight was given a 12-month conditional warning for an offense of operating the device without the required license.

Another pilot involved in the drone flight was also given a 12-month conditional warning for failing to actively use the flight management system’s mobile application during the operation.

On the day of the crash, H3 Dynamics conducted a series of flights from the Pixel building in the One North drone development using a Hexadrone Tundra 2 drone model.

At around 6:00 p.m., the pilots lost control of the drone, which crashed into the facade of the One-North Residences building, 200 m from the launch site.

The drone crashed, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished by residents. CAAS said there were burn marks on the floor but no injuries were reported.

The authorities determined that H3 Dynamics had not followed the procedures contained in the operations manual submitted to CAAS. The drone was modified without consent and one of the pilots was not certified to fly it.

Following the incident, CAAS conducted two on-site audits at H3 Dynamics in August and September 2024 and issued four corrective orders, which the operator implemented.

CAAS said it was satisfied with H3 Dynamics’ corrective actions, and as of October 25, the company will again be able to perform aerial photography and videography. He was suspended from these operations during the investigation.

However, H3 Dynamics will no longer be able to perform drone operations as part of flight tests and demonstrations, CAAS said.

CAAS added that once drone operations resume, the company will also be subject to an increased frequency of safety audits.

As of October 25, CAAS also lifted the suspension on the entry-level Hexadrone Tundra 2 model, which it found no safety issues with.