Need Help - Crash and Traveling with Batteries Questions

[Wing5]

It happened and it happened fast.

I have a couple of options and I'm not sure what to do.
I dove right in so I really don't have anyone to ask or have a contact/connections yet.
Just uploaded all the videos, screen recording, flight logs on my PC.

Looking for someone that knows how to handle crashes and replacements, and then also a traveling with lithium-ion battery questions.
I don't have much play $ so these decisions are important to me.
Looking for either a DM, zoom or phone call, would be great.

Thanks guys -
Wing

 

[RodPad]

It happened and it happened fast.

I have a couple of options and I'm not sure what to do.
I dove right in so I really don't have anyone to ask or have a contact/connections yet.
Just uploaded all the videos, screen recording, flight logs on my PC.

Looking for someone that knows how to handle crashes and replacements, and then also a traveling with lithium-ion battery questions.
I don't have much play $ so these decisions are important to me.
Looking for either a DM, zoom or phone call, would be great.

Thanks guys -
Wing

"Just uploaded all the videos, screen recording, flight logs on my PC." ?
What do need help with, a crash?
You have some type of internet connection to make this post.

What's up!!

Rod ..

 

[Meta4]

Looking for someone that knows how to handle crashes and replacements, and then also a traveling with lithium-ion battery questions.

Travelling with batteries is simple.
If you are flying, the batteries must be in your carry-on luggage, not in checked luggage.
That's it, no other requirements.

DJI are expert in handling replacements etc.
Go to their website, find the Support section and start an online chat with them.

If you want someone to help analyse your data and why the crash happened, post your flight data here.
To post your flight data there are a couple of options ...

1. Go to DJI Flight Log Viewer | Phantom Help
Follow the instructions there to upload your flight record from your phone or tablet.
That will give you a detailed report on the flight data.
Come back and post a link to the report it provides and someone might be able to analyse it and give you an understanding of the cause of the incident.
or
2. Just post the .txt file here
or
3. If you use Airdata, you can view the flight data on Airdata and post a link for the Airdata report

If you are using one of the controllers with an integrated screen, the txt files are to be found here:
Android\data\dji.go.v5\files\FlightRecord

 

[Wing5]

"Just uploaded all the videos, screen recording, flight logs on my PC." ?
What do need help with, a crash?
You have some type of internet connection to make this post.

What's up!!

Rod ..

-
I see DJI replying on Reddit a ton and part of me thinks they will scan here too.. a bit hesitant but I'm here. They'll try to make a connection at the same time of a claim and deny it - or are they too big and don't care and can't prove anything really?

I don't know why it happened, but I'm sure a veteran with an eye could tell me.
-

Travelling with batteries is simple.
If you are flying, the batteries must be in your carry-on luggage, not in checked luggage.
That's it, no other requirements.

DJI are expert in handling replacements etc.
Go to their website, find the Support section and start an online chat with them.

If you want someone to help analyse your data and why the crash happened, post your flight data here.
To post your flight data there are a couple of options ...

1. Go to DJI Flight Log Viewer | Phantom Help
Follow the instructions there to upload your flight record from your phone or tablet.
That will give you a detailed report on the flight data.
Come back and post a link to the report it provides and someone might be able to analyse it and give you an understanding of the cause of the incident.
or
2. Just post the .txt file here
or
3. If you use Airdata, you can view the flight data on Airdata and post a link for the Airdata report

If you are using one of the controllers with an integrated screen, the txt files are to be found here:
Android\data\dji.go.v5\files\FlightRecord

-
Thanks Meta, got the files
I do have Airdata. I'll be uploading them and will have a link. Not sure how I feel posting them on a forum though yet, would rather do it in a DM
And then for the Batteries - how do you test to see if they are still good post crash? Check voltage yes and then check each of the cells to see if any fluctuate more than the others, or something?
Do you feel safe traveling with a battery that you know that was in a crash "but eyeball test appears to be fine?"'
I travel with a Hard case and some cheap Libo Bags from Amazon
-

 

[Meta4]

-
I see DJI replying on Reddit a ton and part of me thinks they will scan here too..

DJI don't read this forum and aren't here.

I don't know why it happened, but I'm sure a veteran with an eye could tell me.

Possibly ... depending on the nature of the incident

Not sure how I feel posting them on a forum though yet, would rather do it in a DM.

DM to me is fine if you are more comfortable with that.
But very few can read flight data and it includes no personal data, so there's not much to be concerned about.

 

[Bad Santa]

But very few can read flight data and it includes no personal data, so there's not much to be concerned about.

Posting the flight data can lead to others criticizing a person. Some people just can't help themselves from doing it.

 

[RodPad]

@Wing5

"I see DJI replying on Reddit a ton and part of me thinks they will scan here too.. a bit hesitant but I'm here. They'll try to make a connection at the same time of a claim and deny it - or are they too big and don't care and can't prove anything really?"

What?, DJI posting on Reddit, N*nWay.

@Bad Santa
"Posting the flight data can lead to others criticizing a person."
If this based on what you shared.
Anyways, it all awesome information, this is why this forum is .
We all, will be learning something.

Meta4, is in the top ten for annualizing and helping others.

If nobody post something positive on this thread, they pay is not very good, I will not respond.

Rod ..

 

[Wing5]

Posting the flight data can lead to others criticizing a person. Some people just can't help themselves from doing it.

Ha I don't care about the roast at all - as long as it makes everyone a better pilot
This was the first time I used this specific battery. I changed it out, and everything happened about 7 minutes after takeoff. Was Practicing Orbitals.

 

[Meta4]

Ha I don't care about the roast at all - as long as it makes everyone a better pilot

This one was easier than many to solve.
You were flying circles 50 ft up for nearly 7 minutes.

Everything was smooth until 6:47.5 when the drone's nose dipped and it rolled to the right and tumbled to the ground.
Half a second after this started, there is a warning message that says: ESC error. Land aircraft immediately (Code: 16080021).
Unfortunately it's not possible to land when you've had an ESC failure and lost one motor.

The ESC is an electronic speed controller and when that goes, the motor it's controlling stops working.
It looks like it was the front right that failed.
This was a rare, genuine hardware failure and if the drone was >12 months old, should have been covered by DJI as a warranty case.

 

[Wing5]

The ESC is an electronic speed controller and when that goes, the motor it's controlling stops working.
It looks like it was the front right that failed.
This was a rare, genuine hardware failure and if the drone was >12 months old, should have been covered by DJI as a warranty case.

-
Thank You a ton for this, Meta.
The bird dropped completely when it happened.

Now that I know what happened ->
1. Do I try returning this Amazon first? Remember it was "Used".. bought it last week. They gave me a faulty drone?
2. Go Through DJI Care Refresh?
(3) Or Skywatch.AI hull damage?

I'm assuming either 1 or 2.

 

[JRowlette]

Posting the flight data can lead to others criticizing a person. Some people just can't help themselves from doing it.

My drone went rogue and people don't believe it. Unfortunately, the black box could not be recovered.

 

[Meta4]

My drone went rogue and people don't believe it. Unfortunately, the black box could not be recovered.

It's unlikely that your drone "went rogue".
There is no "black box" to recover.
I've told you what to do to get the recorded flight data in the thread that you started.

 

[RodPad]

Yes, fiction or facts

Rod ..

 

[FCFriedMann]

-
Thank You a ton for this, Meta.
The bird dropped completely when it happened.

Now that I know what happened ->
1. Do I try returning this Amazon first? Remember it was "Used".. bought it last week. They gave me a faulty drone?
2. Go Through DJI Care Refresh?
(3) Or Skywatch.AI hull damage?

I'm assuming either 1 or 2.

If you bought used from amazon, that may be your only recourse. If you did not specifically put DJI care on the unit and if there was no care plan transfered with the drone you purchased, you are in for fun. You can check this through DJI.com. If you bought from a fulfiled or supplied by Amazon itself, returns should be easy, never had a problem that way. If sold by FlybyNight Drones Inc and shipped by Amazon, you may be in for fun. The range of experience on this sourcing is pretty wide from long battles with no satisfaction to the same level of care as sold by Amazon. If anyone is set on DJI used, either buy in person and make sure it is unbound and working fully, or look at the reviews on Amazon or ebay to see how well they rate in event of an issue. If you still want used, there is DJI refurbished whic will have the original warranty and the option to purchase the care plan. Not familiar with Skywatch. If they cover your equipment, great!

 

[Wing5]

If anyone is set on DJI used, either buy in person and make sure it is unbound and working fully, or look at the reviews on Amazon or ebay to see how well they rate in event of an issue. If you still want used, there is DJI refurbished whic will have the original warranty and the option to purchase the care plan. Not familiar with Skywatch. If they cover your equipment, great!

-
- Skywatch does include "Hull Damage" if you want to add it in into a Liability Policy. (Mine is only $+10/month? deductible is $89.00) But I hear they take a lot longer to claim, process, etc than DJI Refresh
- Bought and Sold, Fulfilled by Amazon. Even said it had Free Returns too. Called them to make sure beforehand...no restocking fee either? Alright I'm in. Best buy is like 15% restocking fee for Drones.
- There is DJI Care on the drone.
Hence, Options. Going to see what Amazon says tomorrow
-

 

[FCFriedMann]

Sounds like you got the right deal. Nice! Was that Prime?

 

[Wing5]

Sounds like you got the right deal. Nice! Was that Prime?

- Update!
Yes It was Prime -
I called Amazon and somehow they were willing to take back the damaged drone and all, for a full refund. I had to reiterate myself... "The drone is damaged, Amazon is still going to give me a refund"? Most likely because it was Used, and not New. I did not proceed with Amazon though.
-
Mainly dealt with DJI. When I called, the lady on the phone took me in the DJI Care Refresh direction, thinking most likely that's what I want. I said no, I believe this to be a Manufacture's issue. Different website area, different paperwork.
Upon hearing from DJI after me shipping everything to them.... they gave me a repair invoice of... $265. What? The DJI rep called me and she said yes they found this and that damage, "For $265 you can have it repaired, or if you'd like you can just pay $99 for the DJI care refresh"
Me: 'Uh no that's not what I wanted. This is a manufacture Defect, what did they say about the flight and the ESC error?'
Her: "Ohh you want flight records (or whoever) to look it over. Sure I will be able and happy to assist in sending the [Flight logs] over for them to look at"
Within 24 hours.... "Your DJI Air 3 is being shipped!" *No Cost.
-
I believe I Did the right paperwork and angle at this, they were just trying to see if they can sneak it by me.
Question I have now is.. will they want a new Care Refresh on this new serial number? I hear they don't transfer over and go by seriel numbers only.. so something I'll need to talk to them about
- I did not call Skywatch.AI Insurance for Hull Damage. Felt like this was a last resort option. Probably going to take it off my policy now that I have Refresh