An Indonesian plantation worker has become an internet sensation after a video showed him flying home on a heavy-lift agricultural drone, turning a routine commute into a viral spectacle.
The video, posted by TikTok user Mbahkurahon, features plantation worker Daeman perched on a large cargo drone as it lifts him above a banana and melon plantation in Jombang Regency, East Java. The drone, typically used to carry up to 100 kilograms of fertilizer or spray crops, transports him over fields that would otherwise require a walk of more than a mile.
According to the plantation’s director, the drone ride was filmed “just for content,” but it also highlighted a practical challenge faced by workers in the sprawling plantation, where poor road access makes commuting difficult.
Plantation workers in Indonesia are using a farming drone to transport themselves from the field to their vehicles about a mile away.
The flights are reportedly taking place in Jombang Regency, East Java.
According to CNN, the drone costs about $20,000.
Looks fun. pic.twitter.com/KGkzKFel97
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 8, 2026
The footage quickly amassed millions of views across social media, with users expressing a mix of amazement, amusement and envy. Many joked that drone rides could replace carpools, while others remarked that such a stunt would be impossible under stricter aviation regulations in many countries.
The incident has also sparked debate over safety. Heavy-lift agricultural drones, including models manufactured by DJI and other companies, are designed exclusively for carrying cargo or spraying crops and are not equipped with passenger safety features such as harnesses, emergency systems or certified seating. Aviation experts caution that using such drones to transport people poses significant risks.
Agricultural drones have become increasingly common across Asia, where they are used to spray pesticides, distribute fertilizer and carry supplies across difficult terrain. However, using them to transport people remains highly unconventional and is generally outside their intended purpose.
While the viral video was meant as a light-hearted social media stunt, it has also drawn attention to the logistical challenges faced by agricultural workers in remote plantations and to the growing capabilities of heavy-lift drones that are reshaping modern farming.
