I just watched the battery of my Spark drone fall out over the ocean.  The drone plunged immediately after.  The battery sank immediately. The drone floated but was swiftly carried away by the current. I was using a controller and the DJI app on my iPhone.  This seems to be a common defect.  It is a new drone that had less than a dozen flights. What are my options?

I purchased the drone from a Apple store.

This is exactly whats worrying me. There are more and more sparks having the battery pop out. I'm guessing your battery was one of the early models where the little catch wears out. The newer ones have larger catches. DJI should offer a replacement program before someone gets hurt because of a falling spark. This same issue nearly killed of the first generation GoPro Karma. However DJI suggest you wait until an accident occurs, then open a case and they will investigate. Why dont they just repair/replace the batteries that have this defect.

Sir, sorry for the accident. Please contact our support and start a case: http://www.dji.com/support. Please provide the filght records to our support and locate the problem. And please provide us the case number  so we can follow your case. Thanks for your support.

Everyone needs to use the battery clip as a precaution, it's quick, easy to install and it's cheap

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:23
Everyone needs to use the battery clip as a precaution, it's quick, easy to install and it's cheap

[view_image]

Would have gladly used a clip had I known this is an issue.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-22 03:19
Sir, sorry for the accident. Please contact our support and start a case: http://www.dji.com/support. Please provide the filght records to our support and locate the problem. And please provide us the case number  so we can follow your case. Thanks for your support.

Thank you Elekra. I will.

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:23
Everyone needs to use the battery clip as a precaution, it's quick, easy to install and it's cheap

[view_image]

We shouldn't have to use a third party part to fix an issue that DJI should be resolving.

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:23
Everyone needs to use the battery clip as a precaution, it's quick, easy to install and it's cheap

[view_image]

That looks like an essential accessory... Thanks for sharing

A CW Posted at 2018-1-22 03:37
That looks like an essential accessory... Thanks for sharing

kinda  cheap on ebay, may be not

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anti- ... :g:GtcAAOSwokJaYZ0j

Malakai_UK Posted at 2018-1-22 03:37
We shouldn't have to use a third party part to fix an issue that DJI should be resolving.

I think we will be waiting a month of sundays for DJI to ever make a product recall.

You either buy a cheap clip or you roll the dice and fly without one.

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:47
kinda  cheap on ebay, may be not

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anti-slip-Lock-Straps-Clip-For-DJI-Spark-RC-Drone-1x-Battery-Bundle-Fastener/332525552658?epid=20013378329&hash=item4d6c114412:g:GtcAAOSwokJaYZ0j

A fiver to stop a battery from falling out and losing a £400 drone. I'd say thats cheap LOL

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:49
I think we will be waiting a month of sundays for DJI to ever make a product recall.

You either buy a cheap clip or you roll the dice and fly without one.

They only need to replace the catches on batteries that have the smaller catch. I would happily ship my batteries to them for them to replace/repair the catches.

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:47
kinda  cheap on ebay, may be not

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anti-slip-Lock-Straps-Clip-For-DJI-Spark-RC-Drone-1x-Battery-Bundle-Fastener/332525552658?epid=20013378329&hash=item4d6c114412:g:GtcAAOSwokJaYZ0j

The is the first time I've seen this clip...good find!

Malakai_UK Posted at 2018-1-22 03:55
They only need to replace the catches on batteries that have the smaller catch. I would happily ship my batteries to them for them to replace/repair the catches.

Is side by side comparison? I would really like to check my batteries.

A CW Posted at 2018-1-22 03:55
A fiver to stop a battery from falling out and losing a £400 drone. I'd say thats cheap LOL

If your battery loses connection and slipped out of its click..
Having this battery clip to prevent it from completely falling out of the drone isn't going to save the drone from falling out of the sky.

Worthless imo.  

Well, don’t judge until you have at least tried I say. Nice to know there are alternatives out there for the individual to decide what they think is best for them to protect their property...

Raploc Posted at 2018-1-22 04:04
Is side by side comparison? I would really like to check my batteries.

First post

I concur that a known issue must be addressed by DJI. Customer support was very responsive. The opened a case and asked me to sync my flight data with their server which I did. the log is actually very cool as it shows the satellite image together with the flight trajectory, velocities and other measurements. I'll update this post with the case outcome.  Being risk averse, in the future I will use every tool available to secure my drone. One cannot be careful enough. And yes, there may still be other ways an accident may occur.

I have bought battery clip, but then i can't use prop guards

nixuspix Posted at 2018-1-22 05:46
I have bought battery clip, but then i can't use prop guards

You don't need the clip on if your flying inside

djiuser_UVPq80r Posted at 2018-1-22 04:42
If your battery loses connection and slipped out of its click..
Having this battery clip to prevent it from completely falling out of the drone isn't going to save the drone from falling out of the sky.

The clip is very tight, it can only go on if you have seated the battery correctly and it will stop it from moving, it is just a bit of insurance

Malakai_UK Posted at 2018-1-22 03:37
We shouldn't have to use a third party part to fix an issue that DJI should be resolving.

Especially since that clip scratches the arms on the drone. I double checked my three batteries, they all have the new retention clips (thank goodness). My manufacture dates are 12/17 for two and 10/17 for one. I think anything with a manufacture date before 10/17 has the "old" retention clips.

AdamTheGreat Posted at 2018-1-22 06:48
Especially since that clip scratches the arms on the drone. I double checked my three batteries, they all have the new retention clips (thank goodness). My manufacture dates are 12/17 for two and 10/17 for one. I think anything with a manufacture date before 10/17 has the "old" retention clips.

Are you sure about that? How can I check it for sure whether I have old latches? Both my batteries are.from 07/17

Aratheba_Spark Posted at 2018-1-22 06:55
Are you sure about that? How can I check it for sure whether I have old latches? Both my batteries are.from 07/17

Here is a recent thread that shows the difference in the clips.

https://forum.dji.com/thread-128738-1-5.html

mmhamzeh Posted at 2018-1-22 03:34
Thank you Elekra. I will.

You are welcome. Please keep us updated, thanks.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-22 23:32
You are welcome. Please keep us updated, thanks.

Hi Elektra, Thanks very much for your guidance here. The same exact thing happened to me on a recent flight. The battery fell out mid flight and my Spark crashed sustaining damage mainly to the camera and under side. I ensured the battery was securely inserted before the flight - I can assume that my model was an early model that is affected by this defect. Per your instructions, I have opened a case and received a shipping label to send the drone back and sent you the case number as a private message. Will DJI cover the cost of fixing and shipping?

Aratheba_Spark Posted at 2018-1-22 06:55
Are you sure about that? How can I check it for sure whether I have old latches? Both my batteries are.from 07/17

My batteries were from 7/17,, and yes one fell out and the Drone crashed,,, fortunately this was repaired and battery replaced by Dji. Now all my batteries are post 10/17 with the larger retention clips..

Flighty Posted at 2018-4-17 11:21
My batteries were from 7/17,, and yes one fell out and the Drone crashed,,, fortunately this was repaired and battery replaced by Dji. Now all my batteries are post 10/17 with the larger retention clips..

Where can you find the manufacture date on the battery?

Spruce Posted at 2018-4-17 11:48
Where can you find the manufacture date on the battery?

Not sure where to find this info,, however I bought my Spark and batteries in July 2017, after the incident I bought two more in November which had the bigger retention clips.. The two batteries I purchased in July with the small clips have been discarded..

I have a spark that has less than 10 flights. After 5 mins of a clear flight ( not out of range, no wind etc) and while i have started to land my drone then suddenly the battery popped out and the drone crashed on the ground. I was capturing a video  while this happened and  while drone was on landing process the video stops unexpected. Apparently the battery is fully damaged and the drone has many scratches and apparently I am not sure if it is capable to fly with safety any more. I raised a support/repair ticket  since the drone is quite new ( it was bought on 26 June 2018!!!!!!)  but they need a the whole aircraft for a full investigation although i have sent the video as well as the flight records. Anyways, i have ordered this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Ba ... 2060353.m2749.l2649 (i found on another similar thread in this forum).

Just putting my bad experience with that drone.

you can also 3D print a battery clip for the spark , there are a few available on the main 3D printing websites , i never fly without one and i totally agree DJI should issue a clip to all of there Spark owners , the design is very poor

I bought my spark in March 2018 at DJI store and found that 2 batteries occasionally have gone to hibernate mode and I got a replacement by DJI in July. I then used my new battery (made in June 2018) and flew it 2 days ago. It flew for 40 secs then I saw the battery pop out and the drone dropped in a forest!! I have searched for 2 days in the forest and still cannot find it. It seems it is a manufacturing fault of the catch. Now I realized many other spark owners have the similar case. Why DJI didn't warn the spark user or provide an additional clip on the battery! Now, what should I do? Is DJI going to compensate my drone and the battery?

I got my Spark less than a month ago. When my battery clicks in, it is quite difficult to operate the black slides to get it out. Since I have only one battery, I've decided to leave it in there as a precaution. When I get more batteries, the information above will be quite useful.

lannes Posted at 2018-1-22 03:23
Everyone needs to use the battery clip as a precaution, it's quick, easy to install and it's cheap

[view_image]

i use this all the time

Battery clip on every flight obligatory for me!!! Gives me a piece of mind and the spark looks kinda cool with it.
Safe Flying

Never leave home without it attached.  As someone already pointed out, a very small price to pay for peace of mind, even if you have the newer batteries. (I do).  Weight is negligible.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-22 03:19
Sir, sorry for the accident. Please contact our support and start a case: http://www.dji.com/support. Please provide the filght records to our support and locate the problem. And please provide us the case number  so we can follow your case. Thanks for your support.

Thank you Electra, I have already contacted support. Spark is on the way to you for diagnostic.
Thank you.
Rc flyer.

m1n1s Posted at 2018-7-17 04:24
you can also 3D print a battery clip for the spark , there are a few available on the main 3D printing websites , i never fly without one and i totally agree DJI should issue a clip to all of there Spark owners , the design is very poor

My own printed clip:



From 98m  high fell out my Spark and survived fortunately. I use this clip always.

Hmm. I check that the battery is firmly clicked in. Payday is Saturday and I'll get one of those clips. Can't now, negative balance.

Flighty Posted at 2018-4-17 11:21
My batteries were from 7/17,, and yes one fell out and the Drone crashed,,, fortunately this was repaired and battery replaced by Dji. Now all my batteries are post 10/17 with the larger retention clips..

I just had it happen to me at 265 ft. :/ My spark will be at DJI on Monday. Did they cover the cost of the repair and replacement battery or did you have to pay some thing. My batteries (2) were made in 07/17.