Those of you who'll be tempted to film spectacular waterfalls or white water rafting with P4P this summer, think twice. It's very risky business! 100% white knuckles ...

Here's why:

1. Usually dense forest canopy above and around waterfall results in erratic, unreliable GPS anchoring. Make sure you have solid satellite communication on site!
2. Cold glacier water and hot summer air in proximity creates virtual wind tunel in creek canyon. The bigger and more turbulent water flow, the stronger wind.
3. Turbulent water with rapidly changing levels may - and will - fool bottom VPS sensors. If surroundings allow, keep at least 10m height above water surface, where bottom sensors are loosing their functionality. I wasn't able yet to test flying really low above rapids with down sensors disabled, as some forum members suggests.

So, GPS lock confirmed, all systems check, Tripod mode activated, up we go! Didn't even start recording ... Immediately after take-off GPS lock get lost and - naturally - the drone switched to Atti!!! Cold wind took over and she start drifting sideways and up-down, frantically trying to employ side sensors ... Trimmed few branches above and went down like a rock, behind big boulder down the creek ... In deafening thunder of waterfall couldn't hear anything else ... Hands down, calling myself all possible names, considering rescue absolutely senseless in this mad havoc of rocks and wild water ...

Wait a minute, there she is!!! Wobbling, shaking, trembling but alive!!! Somehow, miraculously she recovered from 5m fall nose down, probably just centimeters above boulders, and managed to gain safe hovering altitude with traces of GPS ... Unbelievable ... As quickly as possible I guided her to safety, swearing not to do such stupid things anymore.

Hats off for DJI! This bird is amazing!

It's really lucky that the drone has been recovered. Please dry the drone and test performance first. If there is any further questions, please feel free to contact our Support Team via support.us@dji.com.

Two latin proverbs for you: Audaces Fortuna Iuvat , and Semel in Anno Licet Insanire...
Fortune helps the daing, and  Once a year it is allowed to go crazy. Glad that the drone made it!

DJI Susan Posted at 2017-7-30 23:13
It's really lucky that the drone has been recovered. Please dry the drone and test performance first. If there is any further questions, please feel free to contact our Support Team via .

Susan, the drone survived this flip intact, without taking a dip! I've lost VLOS when she dived down behind huge boulder, but somehow she recovered just above water surface and climbed back to safe hovering altitude. Just a miracle, nothing less ...

Thanks for sharing your P4P story. I have been over the river many times but nothing like your experience my friend.

Glad everything turned out okay with the P4P. doubt if they want to discontinue this drone design, it has been one of the best performing ever. The Phantom X has retracting landing gear and maybe this will be the next version DJI releases

Rich

Good story with a happy ending. Thanks for your input.