DJI FPV In Flight Prop Breakup

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Was flying my DJI fpv and it randomly out of nowhere flipped inverted and lost all signal m. Watching the goggle feed back I am guessing the rear right prop broke apart in flight. I had the same thing or similar prop breakup in flight with a mavic mini ironically over the same area 3 years ago. I am kind of bummed about this because I don’t know if I can recover it or not. Luckily I have two other quads I can fly. I’ve noticed other complaining about the brittle props on DJI equipment. It was my third flight of the day and everything was probably cold. I wasn’t going extremely fast or using a lot of throttle. I just hate the feeling when you crash or lose a DJI product. Not only because they are expensive as hell but they are just different from everything else. I am hoping for a successfully recovery and repair if I can locate it. I don’t know how common in flight prop failures are but I can certainly tell you they mostly are always happening on DJI drones. Be careful flying this winter!

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Also I forgot to mention but I took a photo right before I sent it out and lost it

 

[msinger]

Did you try to review the TXT flight log to see what happened and/or help locate the drone?

If not, you can upload and review the TXT flight log online here. Feel free to share the link here after you upload it if you'd like others to review it.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Did you try to review the TXT flight log to see what happened and/or help locate the drone?

If not, you can upload and review the TXT flight log online here. Feel free to share the link here after you upload it if you'd like others to review it.

How would I get the flight log?

 

[msinger]

How would I get the flight log?

Follow the instructions near the bottom of this page.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Follow the instructions near the bottom of this page.

Yep, thanks. I just saw that lol after seeing it in the first post.

 

[mavic3usa]

Yes my DJI FPV lost a prop when I took a hard climb, the drone was within VLOS and probably 100 yards away so I could see it go down as quickly (and hard) as I quickly lift the googles. But I had aftermarket MAS props and upon inspection, I could see the fault (as it is a known fault with earlier MAS props of this type). It was harrowing in the sense that this could happen way out of range or somewhere where it wouldn't be cool but I got lucky and could walk to the tree line and find the drone inside of 10 minutes. I expect to lose it one day.

Now I fly a thoroughly used JB welded (but sturdy) DJI FPV with new-style MAS prop even though I'm pretty sure the OEM props are quite sturdy. They are inexpensive and you may want to change them often. Took about a month to recover the nerves and fly freely again but in the meantime, I bought an FPV single that sits in a box new until time to replace a lost drone. Today I don't worry any longer; when it's gone....it's gone.

I use a vifly beacon to help me hear a drone that goes down in a hidden location.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Yes my DJI FPV lost a prop when I took a hard climb, the drone was within VLOS and probably 100 yards away so I could see it go down as quickly (and hard) as I quickly lift the googles. But I had aftermarket MAS props and upon inspection, I could see the fault (as it is a known fault with earlier MAS props of this type). It was harrowing in the sense that this could happen way out of range or somewhere where it wouldn't be cool but I got lucky and could walk to the tree line and find the drone inside of 10 minutes. I expect to lose it one day.

Now I fly a thoroughly used JB welded (but sturdy) DJI FPV with new-style MAS prop even though I'm pretty sure the OEM props are quite sturdy. They are inexpensive and you may want to change them often. Took about a month to recover the nerves and fly freely again but in the meantime, I bought an FPV single that sits in a box new until time to replace a lost drone. Today I don't worry any longer; when it's gone....it's gone.

I use a vifly beacon to help me hear a drone that goes down in a hidden location.

Went down over my local middle school. I’m 90% sure it’s on the roof.

 

[mavic3usa]

Went down over my local middle school. I’m 90% sure it’s on the roof.

You could probably get away with asking someone to go up there and search for or recover the drone for you; shouldn't be a problem for the maintenance staff.

 

[Cafguy]

I am pretty new to the DJI FPV been flying one around for a month or so...Its such a fun freestyle type of Drone BUT it is very heavy and it reminds me of the semi truck races lol. If you have ANY sort of prop damage and you are trying to climb from a dive OR zip around a tree in manual or even sport mode, I could see the props exploding trying to carry the weight!
I gave up on the OEM props and also the Master Airscrews. At first it was simply a cost thing!!!
I found the Aikon Prop adaptors and well....They are a revelation! In prop cost and Performance in manual. with them you can use any 5" Prop! I use the GemFan Hurricanes 5236 These seem to help with the "weight issue" when diving a little bit and all around they seem to make the Drone more"floaty" These props are a massive improvement in manual! even with these props the FPV is way too heavy for the props IF there is ANY damage to one it will explode. in my opinion.


want to add if you change the factory rates it won't "skid" thru turns near as much.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Here is the goggles footage:

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Based off the video, would you guess it’s on the roof? I initially thought it got shot because of the loud bang but Its most likely a prop exploding. I’ll see once I go out tomorrow, take your guesses!

 

[rgarjr]

Looks pretty cold, maybe that had something to do with it.

 

[AMann]

Looks pretty cold, maybe that had something to do with it.

Good point, props can ice up.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Good point, props can ice up.

There wasn’t heavy snow, even if there was it would probably take a while for physical ice to build up but the cold definitely had something to do with those props. Even when it’s not cold they are extremely brittle.

 

[Cafguy]

I think its on top of the little shack next to the baseball field! is that a Dugout?

 

[4 inch pistons]

Same thing happened to me last year with MAS props. My personal thoughts are that the weight of the drone and its power overwhelmed the props. Especially the mounting system DJI uses. I switched to the adapters and Luminer props but eventually sold it

 

[AMann]

There wasn’t heavy snow, even if there was it would probably take a while for physical ice to build up but the cold definitely had something to do with those props. Even when it’s not cold they are extremely brittle.

You don’t need snow for icing, you just need freezing temperatures or very close to it and moisture droplets in the air (fog, low clouds or mist). It was cloudy in the images of that video, so perhaps enough moisture was present at the height the drone was flying.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

UPDATE: I flew my Crux 3 around the roof where I thought it landed to no signs. Although I was walking around the parking lot and found a really beat up and cracked arm brace. That means they probably have possession of it. I can’t wait to see it again but because it was cold and took a 200+ foot drop onto solid concrete it is going to have shattered like a piece of glass

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Update: it did in fact shatter like glass!

all the internals are okay, does anyone know if it could be switched over to a carbon frame or how I would go about even fixing it?

 

[mavic3usa]

Update: it did in fact shatter like glass!

all the internals are okay, does anyone know if it could be switched over to a carbon frame or how I would go about even fixing it?

sorry to hear about that but you may as well but a replacement single off ebay for $250.