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Be careful after a crash

jimbobalu

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Joined
Sep 25, 2025
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Age
57
Location
Minnesota
So I was having the drone follow me on my bike and it hit a branch and fell into some grass, maybe 10 feet. I inspected the drone and everything looked fine. Placed the drone on the ground and did the automatic takeoff and it immediately flew up about 50 feet and sideways very quickly. It went about a hundred yards and around a tree over into a marsh as I was trying to land it but it wouldn't respond. I was too surprised to use the emergency off. I tried to locate it with find my drone but was unable to because it is high grass and water.

I am getting a new drone and will try using it to find the lost drone.

Going forward after a crash I will thoroughly inspect and do a manual takeoff to ensure I have control and can immediately shut it down if there is a problem.
 
Did you try checking the TXT flight log for the last recorded location? It might help you find the landing/crash location if you're not certain you were searching in the right spot.
 
Did you try checking the TXT flight log for the last recorded location? It might help you find the landing/crash location if you're not certain you were searching in the right spot.
I did, I used find my drone that even provided a picture but it was while it was still in flight, not the actual crash sight. I think there my be a bit of a lag, especially if it goes into water.
 
Okay. Feel free to share your flight log if you'd like others to review it.
 
Prior to takeoff, did you confirm that the compass reading shown on the controller screen agreed with the actual direction the drone was facing? That's an essential step to ensure that the drone hasn't been powered up in a magnetic field or near ferrous metal that can bias the compass. The result of compass bias can be uncontrollable flight like you described, though the ascent is unusual.
 
Prior to takeoff, did you confirm that the compass reading shown on the controller screen agreed with the actual direction the drone was facing? That's an essential step to ensure that the drone hasn't been powered up in a magnetic field or near ferrous metal that can bias the compass. The result of compass bias can be uncontrollable flight like you described, though the ascent is unusual.
I didn't know to check that. I will definitely in the future. Thanks
 
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I didn't know to check that. I will definitely in the future. Thanks
If the compass doesn't agree with reality, shut the drone down and move to a new location. I've found places on my patio where the rebar in the concrete biases the compass. Moving the drone a few feet or just holding it waist high while powering it up takes care of the problem.
 

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