DJI Air 3s Crashed in to a Wall | Advice needed!

[Ray17]

Hi, I’m new to flying drones. I recently got my DJI Air 3S in Sri Lanka, where DJI Care Refresh is not available.

I wasn’t using propeller guards at the time, and the drone was in cinematic mode. Because it was a tight corner I turned off the sensors. It first hit its propeller on a wall and then fell onto hard concrete from about 5 feet. As soon as it crashed, the controller displayed a message saying: “Collision detected. Change the propellers if damaged.”

Here are the images of the crashed drone

All four propellers were damaged, and the drone has some scratches on its back. There are also scratches on one of the motors, and some small metal chips were shaved off.

I replaced the propellers and did a test flight. The drone works fine—there are no errors on the controller, and the gimbal, stabilization, and flight controls all seem normal. However, I’m worried about potential issues in the future.

Sending the drone for inspection isn’t an option because the cost would be nearly the same as buying a brand-new one. Is there a way for me to diagnose it myself?

As experienced drone pilots, do you think it’s safe for me to keep flying without worrying? This drone is my entire savings, and I’m only 17 years old.

Here are the images

 

[Cafguy]

You need to fly carefully for the first couple of flights after a crash. You may in the near future get a strange error BUT if it seems to fly just fine and you see nothing wrong then I would consider it a cheap lesson learned and fly normally without worry after that.
The air 3S isnt much of an indoor Drone. Take it outside...

 

[MS Coast]

Regarding your "Advice Needed!" request,

• Leave the obstacle avoidance features in operation.
• Never rely on the obstacle avoidance features to keep you out of trouble.
• Don't fly near objects, at least until you have several dozen hours of flight time and understand the risks.

Regarding the airworthiness of your drone,

• Inspect the entire drone very carefully for possible damage. Open and close the motor arms and check for roughness, noises, improper motion, ... Check the battery and the battery latching mechanism carefully.
• Make several flights exercising the drone and observing any irregularities, odd noises, and such.
• Shoot some photos and videos to check the camera functions.
• Verify that all functions involving sensors and OA cameras are working properly - reaction to obstacles, proximity indicators, alternate black & white views, ...

Explain what you mean by "There are also scratches on one of the motors, and some small metal chips were shaved off."
This sounds potentially problematic. Where was the metal damage? Were the fragments actually chips, or were they shavings?

 

[Felix le Chat]

Hi, I’m new to flying drones. I recently got my DJI Air 3S in Sri Lanka, where DJI Care Refresh is not available.

I wasn’t using propeller guards at the time, and the drone was in cinematic mode. Because it was a tight corner I turned off the sensors. It first hit its propeller on a wall and then fell onto hard concrete from about 5 feet. As soon as it crashed, the controller displayed a message saying: “Collision detected. Change the propellers if damaged.”

Here are the images of the crashed drone

All four propellers were damaged, and the drone has some scratches on its back. There are also scratches on one of the motors, and some small metal chips were shaved off.

I replaced the propellers and did a test flight. The drone works fine—there are no errors on the controller, and the gimbal, stabilization, and flight controls all seem normal. However, I’m worried about potential issues in the future.

Sending the drone for inspection isn’t an option because the cost would be nearly the same as buying a brand-new one. Is there a way for me to diagnose it myself?

As experienced drone pilots, do you think it’s safe for me to keep flying without worrying? This drone is my entire savings, and I’m only 17 years old.

Here are the images

....lucky. Best advice? Save up and buy a set of prop guards just in case you have to fly in tight spaces at some point in the future.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Sending the drone for inspection isn’t an option because the cost would be nearly the same as buying a brand-new one. Is there a way for me to diagnose it myself?

Yes, and you did, and it's fine. Fly with confidence.

Just remember that the circumstances under which it crashed were extremely risky for that model and class of drone... If you need footage under those circumstances, use an Avata 2, and if the camera's not good enough, strap a GoPro to it.

The Air 3S is NOT designed for close-quarters flight, and prop guards are a mean trick to get you to think they'll actually protect the drone

 

[milanjhb]

Hi, I’m new to flying drones. I recently got my DJI Air 3S in Sri Lanka, where DJI Care Refresh is not available.

I wasn’t using propeller guards at the time, and the drone was in cinematic mode. Because it was a tight corner I turned off the sensors. It first hit its propeller on a wall and then fell onto hard concrete from about 5 feet. As soon as it crashed, the controller displayed a message saying: “Collision detected. Change the propellers if damaged.”

Here are the images of the crashed drone

All four propellers were damaged, and the drone has some scratches on its back. There are also scratches on one of the motors, and some small metal chips were shaved off.

I replaced the propellers and did a test flight. The drone works fine—there are no errors on the controller, and the gimbal, stabilization, and flight controls all seem normal. However, I’m worried about potential issues in the future.

Sending the drone for inspection isn’t an option because the cost would be nearly the same as buying a brand-new one. Is there a way for me to diagnose it myself?

As experienced drone pilots, do you think it’s safe for me to keep flying without worrying? This drone is my entire savings, and I’m only 17 years old.

Here are the images

Hi there... If is working, it will be good all the way..Don't worry, carry on, keep sensors on at all times..

 

[Felix le Chat]

Yes, and you did, and it's fine. Fly with confidence.

Just remember that the circumstances under which it crashed were extremely risky for that model and class of drone... If you need footage under those circumstances, use an Avata 2, and if the camera's not good enough, strap a GoPro to it.

The Air 3S is NOT designed for close-quarters flight, and prop guards are a mean trick to get you to think they'll actually protect the drone

That "...mean trick..." Earned it's keep 40 times over with just one close encounter with a stone wall.

Simple economics: cost of prop guards: £30. Cost of Mavic 2: £1,200. Mine carried on flying for the last four years when it should have been a twisted pile of plastic. If what I'm trying to get a shot of requires 'up-close-and-personal': the PGYTECH guards get clipped on.