Tree crashed DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus is damaged. Completely intact except for cracks on both Landing struts camera is bent. Has warranty. What to do

[DanielPosey123]

Crashed new DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus in trees. Has still 1 year warranty. Both Landing struts are cracked and wire hanging. Camera is bent to the right but still moves. Drone Powers up with new battery but does not connect to remote. What should I do? Warranty States it does not cover crashes.

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

Sorry to hear about your crash.
Options include, but are not limited to:
1. Send it to DJI for a repair estimate. If reasonable, have it repaired.
2. Try to repair it yourself
3. Sell it for parts and purchase a later DJI Drone

 

[msinger]

Warranty States it does not cover crashes.

The warranty does cover crashes if a malfunction occurred and DJI confirms that’s the cause.

What happened?

 

[DanielPosey123]

The warranty does cover crashes if a malfunction occurred and DJI confirms that’s the cause.

What happened?

I flew my new drone out by the street where trees were and flew too low into a pine tree. Did not see tree limbs untill a few seconds from the Crash, and tried to abort to return home with no success. I do have a recording of the crash itself. Drone Powers up but does not connect to the remote. Legs are cracked and one wire hanging out, the camera is bent sideways but moves for the power up cycle. Pretty much I think it would be pilot error? The new drone only has maybe five flights at 20 minutes of peace and a few of the flights with video. There is 11 months warranty still since bought last month. I hate to spend another $1,200 to replace it.

 

[Kilrah]

How did you buy a P4P+ new last month and at that price? It's a 9 year old model and there would be WAY better choices for $1.2k...
Maybe you can scour ebay and find a complete used one as replacement, shouldn't be worth more than $200 or so these days.

 

[msinger]

I flew my new drone out by the street where trees were and flew too low into a pine tree. Did not see tree limbs untill a few seconds from the Crash, and tried to abort to return home with no success.

Ah, so it was pilot error. Unfortunately, the warranty doesn't cover situations caused by pilot error.

 

[DanielPosey123]

How did you buy a P4P+ new last month and at that price? It's a 9 year old model and there would be WAY better choices for $1.2k...
Maybe you can scour ebay and find a complete used one as replacement, shouldn't be worth more than $200 or so these days.

You are right. The Drone actually cost me $750 with the remote with screen. It was a brand new unopened box , never flown drone. I had bought extra batteries, two of them, and bought a goggles headset for it as well. Maybe that's how I had figured $1,200 in total, but did not state the Drone was only $750 , now that you corrected me. Sorry for that misrepresentation

 

[DanielPosey123]

Ah, so it was pilot error. Unfortunately, the warranty doesn't cover situations caused by pilot error.

I guess I will call DJI Tech support and enter Crashed Drone Repair Ticket. I will send them the Drone and see how much they can repair it for or a replacement of a new one, and stating the cost. According to the replies above. I was wondering what to tell the DJI tech support about some how it running into trees was a signal or remote malfunction instead of pilot error? I hate to admit to pilot error !

 

[msinger]

I was wondering what to tell the DJI tech support about some how it running into trees was a signal or remote malfunction instead of pilot error?

There's no point in trying to fabricate a story to get a free replacement. DJI can review the flight log and will know exactly what happened. Do the right thing and pay for the repair.

 

[DanielPosey123]

You're absolutely right. I will be honest when calling them about this matter. It was at a hover at Treetop level and it moved sideways. I tried to react, but too late. Maybe in their review, they can find a mistake on the equipment part. To be honest, I don't know what happened, how it crashed. Thanks for all of your responses. Guess I was looking for a loophole. I only had five flights, two of them were recorded, and totally Miss flying this drone. Very sad now not having the Drone to fly at all. I live out in the country and have nothing to do all day, and flying this drone just was therapeutic for me. Thank you everybody for your responses. Thank you msinger ...

 

[Cafguy]

I would send it to DJI IF you had it repaired you could miss something that may appear to be fine at first. when you send it to DJI they will send you a new refurb so no worries about crash problems later.