- Joined
- Mar 9, 2017
- Messages
- 34
- Reactions
- 9
- Age
- 65
Well, it finally happened. I've owned my MP for about roughly 2 yrs, and had mostly problem-free flights. Yesterday I crashed, and suspicious this may have been a bird strike. Really bizarre, because I didn't have video recording during the flight to see what happened. I was just flying around using Litchi, not doing any waypoints. Took off normally, all sensors and area clear, good GPS and signal. Lifted up to 200 ft or so and cruised around with no problems. The range was fairly close, probably 1000 ft away or so.
After flying normally for several minutes, suddenly my phone display is showing the drone spinning and tumbling wildly. Not sure if I just had a bird strike. I was unable to regain control. This continued for about 30-40 seconds, until the drone finally struck the ground. Fortunately it missed some nearby trees and I was able to locate and recover it. Both front antenna legs were broken, one of the rear motor lower covers was missing, all 4 props broken with several of the hub hinges split, most likely on ground impact. The ND filter on the ginbal was broken out leaving the ring on the camera, so it probably hit face first at fairly high speed.
I was able to get the flight log from my phone, and had a look at it in Airdata. Since I didn't have video recording switched on, this was my first look at any flight data. There is a swirling path, momentary recovery, then control loss and spinning until crashing. I have attached the file, if anyone wants to look at it and see what you think.
I'm expecting this was one of 2 possible scenarios. Either I was hit by a bird, or a prop came apart, maybe as a result of being hit. I've been using 1 set of low-noise props for quite a while without problems.
I'm sending it off to DroneFly.com for repairs. I expect it will need a camera/gimbal ***'y, both from arms, and possibly one of the rear arms. The heatsink bottom plate got scratches, but that's just cosmetic. All 4 motors are free and start up and turn smoothly, so hopefully the electronics are in good shape. However the gimbal I think is messed up. It responds to tilt commands and moves, but buzzes once it has started up. I'll know once they receive it and check it over. $149 labor + parts.
After flying normally for several minutes, suddenly my phone display is showing the drone spinning and tumbling wildly. Not sure if I just had a bird strike. I was unable to regain control. This continued for about 30-40 seconds, until the drone finally struck the ground. Fortunately it missed some nearby trees and I was able to locate and recover it. Both front antenna legs were broken, one of the rear motor lower covers was missing, all 4 props broken with several of the hub hinges split, most likely on ground impact. The ND filter on the ginbal was broken out leaving the ring on the camera, so it probably hit face first at fairly high speed.
I was able to get the flight log from my phone, and had a look at it in Airdata. Since I didn't have video recording switched on, this was my first look at any flight data. There is a swirling path, momentary recovery, then control loss and spinning until crashing. I have attached the file, if anyone wants to look at it and see what you think.
I'm expecting this was one of 2 possible scenarios. Either I was hit by a bird, or a prop came apart, maybe as a result of being hit. I've been using 1 set of low-noise props for quite a while without problems.
I'm sending it off to DroneFly.com for repairs. I expect it will need a camera/gimbal ***'y, both from arms, and possibly one of the rear arms. The heatsink bottom plate got scratches, but that's just cosmetic. All 4 motors are free and start up and turn smoothly, so hopefully the electronics are in good shape. However the gimbal I think is messed up. It responds to tilt commands and moves, but buzzes once it has started up. I'll know once they receive it and check it over. $149 labor + parts.