Unexpected Mid-Air Collision - a First?

[MS Coast]

I've just discovered an unexpected mid-air collision hazard - falling pine cones.

I was using the Mini 4 Pro to shoot some brief videos of streetscapes for a homeowners' association website this afternoon. I had the drone hovering about six feet of the ground beneath a Shortleaf Pine tree while my spotter and I were discussing the next clip to shoot. As we were talking, we both saw a mature dry fist-sized pine cone drop onto the drone and fall into the street.

The drone bobbed downward less than a foot and continued to hover as if nothing had happened. I landed it and did a damage check. There wasn't even a nicked prop. The flight log shows nothing unusual.

The pine cone sustained minor damage, well below the FAA's repair cost threshold for reporting incidents.

I figure the odds on this happening are on the same order of magnitude as winning a mid-range Lotto prize. And I know that it's not unusual for trees to attack drones, but can I rightfully claim to be the first to be attacked by a tree hurling a projectile?

I'm thankful that it wasn't a heavy green pine cone.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

Are you buying a lottery ticket today ?

 

[MS Coast]

Are you buying a lottery ticket today ?

No point. I used up all my good luck today.

 

[GFields]

Thanks for sharing! One more thing to add to the "look out for list"

 

[Kiwicbrthou]

Adding don’t fly under coconuts to my list.

 

[Cafguy]

Natures answer to Obstacle avoidance.
Glad it wasn't an exploding cone. lol

 

[Dbez1]

Adding don’t fly under coconuts to my list.

That will be important here in PA. lol

 

[Vic Moss]

The pine cone sustained minor damage, well below the FAA's repair cost threshold for reporting incidents.

 

[Spartan Drones]

I've just discovered an unexpected mid-air collision hazard - falling pine cones.

I was using the Mini 4 Pro to shoot some brief videos of streetscapes for a homeowners' association website this afternoon. I had the drone hovering about six feet of the ground beneath a Shortleaf Pine tree while my spotter and I were discussing the next clip to shoot. As we were talking, we both saw a mature dry fist-sized pine cone drop onto the drone and fall into the street.

The drone bobbed downward less than a foot and continued to hover as if nothing had happened. I landed it and did a damage check. There wasn't even a nicked prop. The flight log shows nothing unusual.

The pine cone sustained minor damage, well below the FAA's repair cost threshold for reporting incidents.

I figure the odds on this happening are on the same order of magnitude as winning a mid-range Lotto prize. And I know that it's not unusual for trees to attack drones, but can I rightfully claim to be the first to be attacked by a tree hurling a projectile?

I'm thankful that it wasn't a heavy green pine cone.

View attachment 176947

I've heard of Kamikaze Pine Cones, but never seen them, so they do exist...

 

[LoudThunder]

've just discovered an unexpected mid-air collision hazard

I had a similar incident winter before last and my "attacker" was a Male Tree...

The Attack of the Maple Tree...

We've had many a good laugh when one of our members talks about how their drone was "attacked by a tree or a tree jumped out in front of them"… Well, laugh all you want, I'm laughing… I was flying around my yard, really just putzing, and out of nowhere, this branch came fluttering down from...

mavicpilots.com

 

[Droning on and on...]

Flying Squirrels.

Stay vigilant.

 

[MS Coast]

I had a similar incident winter before last and my "attacker" was a Male Tree...

The Attack of the Maple Tree...

We've had many a good laugh when one of our members talks about how their drone was "attacked by a tree or a tree jumped out in front of them"… Well, laugh all you want, I'm laughing… I was flying around my yard, really just putzing, and out of nowhere, this branch came fluttering down from...

mavicpilots.com

The trees seem to be enhancing their weaponry, from a maple branch in 2023 to an open pine cone in 2024. What's next? Green pine cone? Hickory nut?

 

[Droning on and on...]

The trees seem to be enhancing their weaponry, from a maple branch in 2023 to an open pine cone in 2024. What's next? Green pine cone? Hickory nut?

They've been working on dripping sap directly on a motor bell and gimbal, but are having trouble with all the air turbulence.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

What's next?

A Conker!!!!!

 

[Paul Stocum]

When an apple fell on Newton’s drone, he discovered gravity!

 

[Capt. Quirk]

I've just discovered an unexpected mid-air collision hazard - falling pine cones.

I was using the Mini 4 Pro to shoot some brief videos of streetscapes for a homeowners' association website this afternoon. I had the drone hovering about six feet of the ground beneath a Shortleaf Pine tree while my spotter and I were discussing the next clip to shoot. As we were talking, we both saw a mature dry fist-sized pine cone drop onto the drone and fall into the street.

The drone bobbed downward less than a foot and continued to hover as if nothing had happened. I landed it and did a damage check. There wasn't even a nicked prop. The flight log shows nothing unusual.

The pine cone sustained minor damage, well below the FAA's repair cost threshold for reporting incidents.

I figure the odds on this happening are on the same order of magnitude as winning a mid-range Lotto prize. And I know that it's not unusual for trees to attack drones, but can I rightfully claim to be the first to be attacked by a tree hurling a projectile?

I'm thankful that it wasn't a heavy green pine cone.

View attachment 176947

Imagine it had been an acorn and cops were in the vicinity.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Imagine it had been an acorn and cops were in the vicinity.

Nah, that one's easy to explain away, true or not.

Squirrels.