Types of Drones Crashes

[rwilliam99]

Thanks for all the tips and experiences so far. The reason i am asking is because I had a Mini 4 Pro fall out of the sky (yes literally) during a sudden rainstorm into the lake (I was only about 15ft from the shore). Luckily a friend dived in and grabbed it for me so I could use my care refresh.

Some more, if you are interested - Here is the checklist I made up which I have in my bag:

• Before Leaving the House:
  • Make sure firmware and app is updated (where you have wifi)
  • Make sure and do a test flight after firmware is updated
  • Make sure batteries are charged – both drone and controller
• Pre Flight Checklist
  
  • Check propellers for nicks, cracks, bends
  • Check propellers to make sure they are tight
  • Clean sensors
  • Make sure Micro SD card is in place
  • Check area for power lines
  • Set RTH height based on local conditions (make sure height is above any obstacles)
  • Confirm video settings are correct
• Flight Checklist (after takeoff)
  
  • Takeoff and hover drone in front of you for 30 seconds to make sure all is good
  • Confirm drone is pointing the same direction as shown on the screen
  • Make sure you have a GPS lock (“Home Point updated” and white GPS icon)
  • Verify the Home Point is accurate before ascending beyond VPS range (~15’)

My Top 10 Mistakes to avoid:

1. Not knowing drone laws
2. Losing props – make sure they are well attached before flight (part of pre-flight checklist)
3. Flying out of sight – supposed to be VLOS (Visual Line of Sight)
4. Flying backwards – this can result in running into things since you can’t see where you are going with the camera
5. Not knowing stopping distances
6. Power lines – be VERY aware of any power lines near where you are flying
7. Wind – wind can blow the mini around really easily and can cause a flyaway if you don’t have a really good GPS lock
8. Return to Home – always, always, always make sure this is set before going any higher than VPS (10-15’)
9. Make sure and UPDATE the return to home if you move
10. Not having a good GPS lock before flying

Lastly, Some Flying Exercises – all at eye level

• Hovering at eye level
• Hover and Yaw (rotate)
• Target Practice – Takeoff and landing side to side
• Square pattern with no yaw (no rotation) - both directions
• Vertical square pattern
• Circular pattern with no yaw (no rotation) – both directions
• Out, back and land – Takeoff with camera pointing away – fly 10 feet, rotate 180 degrees and return/land
• Square pattern with yaw (rotation) – both directions
• Square pattern with yaw and rounded corners – both directions
• Vertical Triangle

 

[Wild Drone Pilot]

Anyone want to list there drone crashes and why they happend. I am looking for help as a beginner pilot on not crashing / avoiding things like popup rain storms. (Also, How to avoid bird attacks?)

Anything to help;
Here we go
2x
[1x] sideways with my best drone into a large Rock! Mavic Pro Platinum
Had DJI send me a new Drone that has Minutes on it.
Not sure why stage fright I guess

[2nd].
Backyard 10ft up landing Mini 2 wind last minute blows tree leaf into drone path- goes down just enough to crack body!
New body looks great but cost way more than I had hoped- Still finding the 20min or so to fix it!

So just take your time and leave lots of clearance and you will do fine..
Enjoy the flight time it is the best!

 

[ip_droning]

I badly crashed my Phantom 3, when flying at the edge of the paddock, initiated RTH, and it started climbing up into the high branches of a tall pine tree. Cost me a broken gimbal and a lost 128GB sd card.

Mavic air 2/2s - don't have side obstacle avoidance. Crashed once into the building when doing "sideways sweep".

Non-DJI (homebuilt racers) - had props disintegrating in flight, motor mount screws vibrating loose, solder joints failing on the battery connector.

And of course major cause - pilot getting cocky and pushing the boundaries

 

[meierjn]

Gravity... It will always win!

 

[hank970]

I've recorded video of small birds making close passes, but they apparently know better than to crash into a noisy drone. My neighbor's border collie, otherwise reasonably mild mannered, alerts to the presence of the drone when it's flying nearby, and once jumped over our fence in full attack mode when I was taking the drone off. A bit of altitude moved the drone out of harm's way, but the dog was still going crazy underneath it. I have no doubt the dog would have engaged if it could have.