A farmer in China’s Sichuan province accidentally caused a 10-hour power outage after attempting to transport a pig to a slaughterhouse using a drone.

The incident took place on January 24 in Tongjiang County, where rugged terrain reportedly prompted the farmer to fly the animal instead of transporting it by road.

During the early morning flight, the rope carrying the pig became tangled in a high-voltage power line, leaving the pig suspended in the air and disrupting electricity to the surrounding village.

Power utility crews later removed the obstruction and restored electricity. The damage is estimated to have cost around 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,400).

The farmer reportedly told authorities that poor visibility before sunrise contributed to the accident.

Police have launched an investigation and said the farmer is suspected of operating the drone in restricted airspace and carrying a load beyond the aircraft’s permitted capacity.

The unusual incident has drawn widespread attention on Chinese social media, but it also underscores the increasing use of drones in rural and mountainous areas for transporting goods and agricultural work. Authorities say the case serves as a reminder that drones carrying heavy loads near power infrastructure can pose serious safety risks.