My M2P got hit by a truck!

[fuzzball]

Well it finally happened. After flying this thing everywhere imaginable, over lakes and rivers, along bridges, under bridges, over golf courses, high and low above flooded areas, over casinos and sports stadiums, around water towers and massive antennas, and other places I can't even think of I finally had my first incident (accident).

What was I doing? Hovering! I was at my Dad's house in a small town in Southern Illinois and was chasing my brother around with the drone while he was mowing the yard (shoutout to Hustler mowers...great product LOL). I was waiting for him to return to the front portion of the yard near the street and I was hovering and setting up for some active track practice his next time through. I thought I was over the edge of the yard but was actually a little out into the street and a few feet in the air. A nice big GMC pickup truck came cruising along at about 30 mph and caught the drone on the right upper corner of the windshield post. Had I been another 6 inches higher or 6 inches closer to the curb he would have missed. Totally my fault but no damage to the truck thankfully. He didn't even stop and probably has no idea what happened.

As for the drone, it was amazing how well it took the impact. A bent right front antenna and a broken glass over the camera lens were the biggies. The gimble re-aligned fine and the thing still flies and records. I'll probably send it to DJI Drone Service and let them take a look at it. Overall it could have been much worse.

Unfortunately my SD card was full at the time of the accident so no onboard video but I did capture the entire event from my Dad's security cameras (shoutout to Reolink super hi-def cameras...great product LOL).

Here is a screenshot of the drone just prior to impact. It's hard to see in the video unless you know exactly where to look. Also a link to the video on my YouTube page. Leaving it unlisted for now so let me know if there's any issues seeing it. I can't say enough about the durability of the M2P. As you can see it took an incredible impact with only minimal damage.

Fly safe!

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[EyesWideShut]

A hit and run caught on video. Did you get his license plate number?

 

[fuzzball]

A hit and run caught on video. Did you get his license plate number?

Haha I'm glad he didn't come back. Seems like there had to be at least some scratches on the truck.

 

[RichR]

Heh - I wonder how much damage was the impact with the truck and how much from when it hit the ground?

Seriously though, this is why the drone regulations in most countries state you should be a certain distance (>30m in general in the EU) from vehicles, people and buildings not in your control.

 

[Ukung]

Well it finally happened. After flying this thing everywhere imaginable, over lakes and rivers, along bridges, under bridges, over golf courses, high and low above flooded areas, over casinos and sports stadiums, around water towers and massive antennas, and other places I can't even think of I finally had my first incident (accident).

What was I doing? Hovering! I was at my Dad's house in a small town in Southern Illinois and was chasing my brother around with the drone while he was mowing the yard (shoutout to Hustler mowers...great product LOL). I was waiting for him to return to the front portion of the yard near the street and I was hovering and setting up for some active track practice his next time through. I thought I was over the edge of the yard but was actually a little out into the street and a few feet in the air. A nice big GMC pickup truck came cruising along at about 30 mph and caught the drone on the right upper corner of the windshield post. Had I been another 6 inches higher or 6 inches closer to the curb he would have missed. Totally my fault but no damage to the truck thankfully. He didn't even stop and probably has no idea what happened.

As for the drone, it was amazing how well it took the impact. A bent right front antenna and a broken glass over the camera lens were the biggies. The gimble re-aligned fine and the thing still flies and records. I'll probably send it to DJI Drone Service and let them take a look at it. Overall it could have been much worse.

Unfortunately my SD card was full at the time of the accident so no onboard video but I did capture the entire event from my Dad's security cameras (shoutout to Reolink super hi-def cameras...great product LOL).

Here is a screenshot of the drone just prior to impact. It's hard to see in the video unless you know exactly where to look. Also a link to the video on my YouTube page. Leaving it unlisted for now so let me know if there's any issues seeing it. I can't say enough about the durability of the M2P. As you can see it took an incredible impact with only minimal damage.

Fly safe!

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It is exactly people like you that give this activity a bad name !!

 

[ChrisOutdoors]

I'd be pissed if I hit a UAS with my truck that was hovering over the road. Fixing the minor damage to the truck is more costly than the loss of the UAS. You owe that driver an apology and a check to fix whatever damage you caused.

No excuses on your part either, this is grade A stupid.

 

[Paul2660]

One of the hardest things to gauge IMO is where you are in relation to a object. Even looking straight down it can be hard to get lined up just right. This is made worse when you are lined up at an angle to the drone. Spacial orientation can be difficult. Your eye told you you were over the yard by looking the drone but it was actually out in the street.

Glad nothing came out of it besides the slight damage to drone.

Paul C

 

[hiflyer201]

Fuzzball, you got some rough responses..but what if it had gone through the windshield. just sayin...
I was hovering my brand new Air 2 over my back yard while I was looking at the settings and trying to get familiar with the fly app..when I looked up my sprinklers had come on and I was soaking my drone. It didn't seem to mind but..what a dumb way for me to lose a drone

 

[kidroc]

Ha Ha I use the spark to fly around my yard I had to pee so I parked her on the edge of my very long dirt driveway on a Sunday no less turned around because the remote started beeping and my father in law ran him over lol He said he saw lights so he went to look at what it was..

 

[fuzzball]

Heh - I wonder how much damage was the impact with the truck and how much from when it hit the ground?

Seriously though, this is why the drone regulations in most countries state you should be a certain distance (>30m in general in the EU) from vehicles, people and buildings not in your control.

It looked like it landed awkwardly on the curb so probably added to the damage. Good point, if I had been >30m from the truck it more than likely would have missed the drone.

I certainly wasn't trying to be in the edge of the road. I mistakenly though I was still over the grass beyond the curb. In my 45 years of being in and around that house I've never seen a car drive up over the curb and into the yard so felt I was safe. As I said in the original post it was my fault.

 

[fuzzball]

It is exactly people like you that give this activity a bad name !!

Thank you for the encouraging words.

 

[fuzzball]

I'd be pissed if I hit a UAS with my truck that was hovering over the road. Fixing the minor damage to the truck is more costly than the loss of the UAS. You owe that driver an apology and a check to fix whatever damage you caused.

No excuses on your part either, this is grade A stupid.

Agreed although I wouldn't say Grade A stupid. Flying out there intentionally would have been Grade A stupid. Mine was more of a Grade B- stupid.

If the driver had come back I would have certainly taken care of the damage. Next time I'll leave the drone laying in the street and pursue the driver. LOL

 

[fuzzball]

One of the hardest things to gauge IMO is where you are in relation to a object. Even looking straight down it can be hard to get lined up just right. This is made worse when you are lined up at an angle to the drone. Spacial orientation can be difficult. Your eye told you you were over the yard by looking the drone but it was actually out in the street.

Glad nothing came out of it besides the slight damage to drone.

Paul C

Thank you Paul. That was exactly the situation. Lesson learned.

 

[fuzzball]

Fuzzball, you got some rough responses..but what if it had gone through the windshield. just sayin...
I was hovering my brand new Air 2 over my back yard while I was looking at the settings and trying to get familiar with the fly app..when I looked up my sprinklers had come on and I was soaking my drone. It didn't seem to mind but..what a dumb way for me to lose a drone

Certainly could have been worse for me (and the driver). Sorry for your loss. Glad my Dad doesn't water the yard!

I can handle the comments and knew there would be plenty. Swallowed my pride and posted anyway in hopes of helping someone else out there avoid this situation. Comments from some people are probably why there are many lurkers afraid to post. Oh well...

 

[fuzzball]

Ha Ha I use the spark to fly around my yard I had to pee so I parked her on the edge of my very long dirt driveway on a Sunday no less turned around because the remote started beeping and my father in law ran him over lol He said he saw lights so he went to look at what it was..

Oh man that's tough. Plenty of ways to lose a drone!

 

[Rockowe]

I'd be pissed if I hit a UAS with my truck that was hovering over the road. Fixing the minor damage to the truck is more costly than the loss of the UAS. You owe that driver an apology and a check to fix whatever damage you caused.

No excuses on your part either, this is grade A stupid.

By your own admission....

... over lakes and rivers, along bridges, under bridges, over golf courses, high and low above flooded areas, over casinos and sports stadiums, around water towers and massive antennas,

....... it sounds like you're a regular Cowboy !

... whats wrong with you ?? ... chasing someone with a drone...

... was chasing my brother around with the drone while he was mowing the yard ... I was waiting for him to return to the front portion of the yard near the street ...

... and what were you doing hovering so Low over a Public suburban street - ???

I agree "Its guys like you who give drone operators a bad Name"

--- A street in a Suburb - you could have shattered the drivers windshield - possibly caused a HECTIC accident, even kids or walkers in the neighbourhood hurt... from an out of control vehicle because of your negligence !!!!

I have no time or interest in the damage to your Drone...

I think you should look carefully for the Registration Plate and Look up the drivers details... and apologize Profusely...
... and maybe take a course in safe UAV flying !

 

[fuzzball]

By your own admission....

....... it sounds like you're a regular Cowboy !

... whats wrong with you ?? ... chasing someone with a drone...


... and what were you doing hovering so Low over a Public suburban street - ???

I agree "Its guys like you who give drone operators a bad Name"

--- A street in a Suburb - you could have shattered the drivers windshield - possibly caused a HECTIC accident, even kids or walkers in the neighbourhood hurt... from an out of control vehicle because of your negligence !!!!

I have no time or interest in the damage to your Drone...

I think you should look carefully for the Registration Plate and Look up the drivers details... and apologize Profusely...
... and maybe take a course in safe UAV flying !

Not a cowboy....just enjoy flying my drone. Certainly made a mistake here.

Chasing is a poor choice of words. More like slowly tracking along with him while he was mowing.

I was low and over a public street but not intentionally. I've stated many times here that was a mis-judgement in position and not intentional. Suburb is also a poor choice of words. More like a tiny midwestern town in Southern Illinois near a lightly traveled street.

Wasn't expecting any concern or interest in my damage, just posting the pics for info. I'll delete them if it really bothers you.

Once again, if the driver returns I'll be more than happy to take care of things.

Maybe I should take a course since I am the only one in this forum that's not perfect. Thanks for the idea.

Happy flying!

 

[hiflyer201]

Fuzzball..you've got hide like an elephant and a heck of a good sense of humor. I say that most jealously

 

[fuzzball]

Fuzzball..you've got hide like an elephant and a heck of a good sense of humor. I say that most jealously

I understand everyone's anger. I'm mad at myself too. LOL. If I can help one person avoid my mistake then it's worth it to me. Nobody knows me so can't blame them. I've spent 40 of my 60 years in aviation with over 21 thousand hours of accident, incident, and violation free flying in everything from 2 seat trainers to 250 seat airliners and this is my first bent metal. I've learned so much over the years from other people's errors I felt I had to share. We are always learning and becoming safer in the process. Thanks for your kind comments.

 

[Archon<>Procyon]

I understand everyone's anger. I'm mad at myself too. LOL. If I can help one person avoid my mistake then it's worth it to me. Nobody knows me so can't blame them. I've spent 40 of my 60 years in aviation with over 21 thousand hours of accident, incident, and violation free flying in everything from 2 seat trainers to 250 seat airliners and this is my first bent metal. I've learned so much over the years from other people's errors I felt I had to share. We are always learning and becoming safer in the process. Thanks for your kind comments.

No need to point out the obvious here, mistakes are mistakes and everybody makes em to this rule there is simply no exception. And let’s say the truck just missed your drone by a couple of inches, then it’s a close call and once again I simply refuse to believe a single harsh comment towards your accident was authored by someone who hasn’t had a close call or made a mistake but fortunately they got lucky and no accident to talk about. I’m not defending you my friend it’s not my place to do so nor is it my place to insinuate that all the negativity is unwarranted, I do wanna throw out some perspective here though.
A while back I was flying my Platinum over a lake within line of sight mind you when it happened, the unmistakable and sudden sound of an airplane. I was 266’ in altitude and 862 ft distant and the airplane was within that range and be dammed if he wasn’t coming right where I was hovering, I was horrified. I glanced at my phone just enough to see sure as hell he was gonna plow right into me so I did the only thing I knew to do, ascend straight up and hope this ignoramus in the airplane held course. Thank god he did and thank god DJI drones are so fast to ascend or, well I don’t even wanna speculate what could’ve been.
Now everything I know as to my rights as a UAV Pilot I was not doing anything wrong. I can’t be sure about the airplane pilot and his obligations but what I saw, regardless of my drones location, was a pilot flying at a very stupid and seemingly unnecessarily low altitude.The lesson I learned is that no matter how much you prepare and plan for something, it all can be undone in a matter of seconds, even if both parties are within their legal rights. I know my legal obligation was to yield to manned aircraft which I did but by the slightest of margins. So I will never attack someone for their honesty, especially when the intentions were completely legit. So as to say that a person driving 95 mph down the interstate when everyone else is doing 65 mph is giving all drivers a bad name; is just silly. Sometimes the saying “one bad apple spoils the bushel” is just not applicable and in this situation indeed I think that saying is incredibly irrelevant and quite simply does not impact “the rest of us” at all! This was a lack of judgement and nothing more, to say that it gives the hobbyists in general a bad name is actually pretty laughable. These are my opinions. Someone with the experience this gentleman has and the safety record he has been able to accomplish are admirable. Having said that, and then take my close call into account, and the logical and inevitable conclusion is that there is simply no method or practice that can be implemented by any of us to guarantee these mishaps do not happen. By definition it’s impossible. Humans are prone to error and even more so complacencies, and that goes for everyone not just on this forum or for this hobby, it applies to anything and everything and therefore anybody at anytime, perfection is a myth and that’s a fact ??‍