On August 28， according to a report from Kuaitech， a startling incident occurred at the Shanghai World Financial Center recently: two drones collided in the wind tunnel area at an altitude of over 400 meters.
One of the drones subsequently crashed， causing a crater in the building’s waterproof layer. The drones involved have been handed over to the police for investigation.
The operational management of the Shanghai World Financial Center stated that both drones were operating illegally， or as they are commonly referred to in China， “black flying.” Following the crash， the wing shaft of one drone was found embedded in the waterproof layer of the rooftop platform on the 96th floor of the building.
It is important to note that the Shanghai World Financial Center has become a notorious hotspot for illegal drone activity. Since the first recorded drone crash incident in 2016， there have been 95 registered drone-related accidents at this location. This persistent issue highlights a significant challenge in regulating airspace around prominent landmarks.
Adding to the complexity， the Xiaolujiazuì area in Shanghai is only designated as an “enhanced caution zone” within flight software， rather than a strictly prohibited flight zone. This classification may unintentionally contribute to the high incidence of unauthorized drone operations by not clearly delineating the risks.
According to Shanghai regulations， drone flights require prior application and are restricted to altitudes not exceeding 120 meters. The “black flying” activity at an altitude of 400 meters， as witnessed in this incident， clearly violates these regulations and raises concerns about public safety and property protection.
