The original magical flying device was enchanted with a remarkably advanced spell, intended to derive some means of achieving a given goal. This magic quickly fell out of favor, as its impartial nature often lead it to undesired results.

For example. The boat that was enchanted with this spell and given instructions to fly, or rather specifically: to gain altitude, found it was easier to manipulate the surrounding population’s collective reference points from sea level toward something much lower, than to actually expend the energy required to lift the boat.