The drone fell. On the crowd.

Seemed like a happy robotics meet in Japan - families, kids, a drone dropping candy. But then something unexpected happened - and the low-flying multicopter drone went down. According to the pilot's/ organizers statement apparently a flight authorized by the transport ministry - still I would not want to be in that poor pilot's shoes now...

Fortunately, as Japan Times reports, "most of the injuries were minor, such as scratches to foreheads and shoulders, the police said." Hopefully the people affected will heal and recover speedily.

What happened? I don't know, but one guess is that a shift in cog (center of gravity) as the candy was dropped out may have contributed to this unfortunate crash.

A parachute might have lessened the impact (yet at such low of an altitude, deployment times are definitely an issue). I generally see parachute solutions having a great risk reduction potential in drone operations and always advise clients to strongly consider integrating them.

This video has put together various angles of the crash.