Just noticed damage to my Air 3S - front arm

[Mrktn]

You see the one on the bottom of the image which is the right front arm. Appears to have a crack

As far as I’m aware, I haven’t hit anything.

Drone is 6 months old, has done exactly 20 flights of anywhere between 25 and 30 minutes each.

Just noticed it as I was packing it away after a flight tonight. Is the arm normal?

I have dronecover insurance and the drone is of course still under warranty.

Thanks

 

[Starz]

A picture of the very bottom on that leg may help determine the cause. The picture you posted looks like a small flaw at the bottom. My old eyes could be pulling my leg.
Usually, when that section on the arm gets moved, its from a bump of some kind.

 

[Max Headroom]

The picture you posted looks like a small flaw at the bottom. My old eyes could be pulling my leg.

I don't think it's your eyes either that or mine are as bad

 

[Mrktn]

Some more pics. You’ll notice a crack under the upper leg / antanae screw.

Wondering if it’s an assembly fault that’s gradually got worse

 

[Max Headroom]

Wow that's not good, looks like it could be a fault i don't think they could say it's accident damage with no other damage near it.

 

[Mrktn]

Wow that's not good, looks like it could be a fault i don't think they could say it's accident damage with no other damage near it.


View attachment 182239

I’m definitely careful with both Air and Mini and it hasn’t collided with anything.

I’ve contacted Argos where I bought it from and they have suggested I contact DJI for warranty claim. Bought it longer than 30 days ago, so they are saying I have to take this up with manufacturer and if I don’t get anywhere with them then Argos will exchange for new or refund

 

[Max Headroom]

I hate Argos for this they have tried this with me in the past its still their responsibility even though its after 30 days see below - (see red part below)

Can I get a refund on a faulty product?​

• You have 30 days from taking ownership of a product (this could be the date of purchase or the date it was delivered to you - whichever is later) to claim a refund if it is faulty
• After this time you have to give the retailer an opportunity to repair or replace it before you can claim a refund.
• In the first instance, write to the customer services department politely and objectively, so you have a written record as evidence. Then escalate if you're not happy with the response
• Quote the relevant laws. Say what you want to happen - refund, repair or replacement.

Faulty product? How to get a refund, repair or replacement - Which?

If an item you've bought develops a fault, your refund rights depend on when you bought it and who is responsible.

www.which.co.uk

 

[Starz]

A picture of just the very bottom of the the leg please. The part that would be sitting on the ground when you take off.

 

[Mrktn]

A picture of just the very bottom of the the leg please. The part that would be sitting on the ground when you take off.

Here you go…

 

[Starz]

This is the area that I see where a bump may have occurred.

 

[Mrktn]

Thanks , pretty sure the crack below the motor where the screw is was already there but a lot smaller and has gradually got worse. Maybe hit damaged during transit to mine for home delivery. Will only get worse so I’m minded to contact DJI

Will try and post another of the foot of the leg during natural light

 

[Felix le Chat]

This is something I recognised immediately. I managed to do exactly the same thing with my Mavic 2 zoom and all it takes is a relatively minor knock at the single weakest stress point apart from the gimbal... the tip of the 'landing leg'.

It's a really simple fix: I sorted it out by releasing the screws securing the antenna housing (the landing leg), removing the deformed part of the securing tab inside the arm, and then glueing the antenna housing back in the correct position with B7000 adhesive.

You'll probably find that there's another hidden securing screw behind the LED... but bear in mind, I was doing this with a drone that was well out of warranty.

 

[Mrktn]

This is something I recognised immediately. I managed to do exactly the same thing with my Mavic 2 zoom and all it takes is a relatively minor knock at the single weakest stress point apart from the gimbal... the tip of the 'landing leg'.

It's a really simple fix: I sorted it out by releasing the screws securing the antenna housing (the landing leg), removing the deformed part of the securing tab inside the arm, and then glueing the antenna housing back in the correct position with B7000 adhesive.

You'll probably find that there's another hidden securing screw behind the LED... but bear in mind, I was doing this with a drone that was well out of warranty.

Well I went on Argos live chat last night and they gave me DJI contact number.

Rang DJI and they said Argos are liable. They said Argos should replace the drone but refused to give me a case number. Only got the staff name.

Then went and rang Argos customer service call centre who told me to go into my local store with the drone.

Travelled 50 miles round trip to the only Argos store who had stock in my area only to be told that they will need to ring DJI to get a case number so they couldn’t help as was now out of hours. I threatened to make a formal complaint, so they rang the duty store manager.

The damage was deemed to have either been caused during transit when home delivered or assembly fault with incorrect winding in of a screw which caused the plastic to crack.

Duty manager agreed to replace the drone. Replacement thoroughly checked and looks perfect. SD card, ND filter removed from faulty drone and straight swap.

I retained all other existing items of the fly more combo.

Thanks Argos but what a faff.

 

[Max Headroom]

Glad you got it sorted as I said earlier -


I hate Argos for this they have tried this with me in the past It's still their responsibility even though it's after 30 days see below -

• You have 30 days from taking ownership of a product (this could be the date of purchase or the date it was delivered to you - whichever is later) to claim a refund if it is faulty
• After this time you have to give the retailer an opportunity to repair or replace it before you can claim a refund.
• In the first instance, write to the customer services department politely and objectively, so you have a written record as evidence. Then escalate if you're not happy with the response
• Quote the relevant laws. Say what you want to happen - refund, repair or replacement.

 

[Max Headroom]

Looks like this type of "crack" may be fairly common definitely worth inspecting the drone after each flight if you don't already. (I have OCD so one won't get past me)

 

[Mrktn]

Glad you got it sorted as I said earlier -


I hate Argos for this they have tried this with me in the past It's still their responsibility even though it's after 30 days see below -

• You have 30 days from taking ownership of a product (this could be the date of purchase or the date it was delivered to you - whichever is later) to claim a refund if it is faulty
• After this time you have to give the retailer an opportunity to repair or replace it before you can claim a refund.
• In the first instance, write to the customer services department politely and objectively, so you have a written record as evidence. Then escalate if you're not happy with the response
• Quote the relevant laws. Say what you want to happen - refund, repair or replacement.

Cheers. They opened a fly more combo and just swapped out the drone. Did get another complete pack of props out of it (2.5 sets).

Can’t be doing with ping ponging between retailer and manufacturer, but sound advice re checking the drone before each flight.

I’m certain that the dint below the screw was already there when I took delivery of the fly more combo, back in November 24. It’s just got worse with vibrations etc. I’d flown it for a total of 9/10 hours.