Got a problem and need to share, So I buy a nice new DJI Phantom 3 Pro. Start slow and easy and start logging some flight time with it and had a great handle on its operations and capabilities. I am 53 and have been building, driving and flying rc procucts since the late 70's.
So I made a small Christmas list for my kids to get me and on the list I had some new props that are red and engineered for a DJI Phantom 3 Pro so my failing eyes can see my bird a little better when she's in the air.
The props were as follows:
PENIVO 4pcs 9450 Self-locking Professional Propeller Props Blades for DJI Phantom 3 (2cw+2ccw)SEEN HERE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071RHMJKL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So I am out flying in a 1,000+ acre state park and flying like I have over a hundred times when I get this:

My drone fell straight down from the sky.
So, being I am under warranty and NO WHERE in the DJI warranty does it say that aftermarket props void the warranty, I start the dreaded repair/replace proceedure and sent my drone and controller in for repair. about a weel later(today), I receive this:

So, what I am trying to determine from my fellow experienced drone owners is, do you see in ANY WAY, that some aftermarket props that are engineered for the Phantom 3 Pro could cause ALL 4 MOTORS to fail at once at the EXACT SAME TIME, causing the drone to fall from the sky and cause ALL of the damage on the above repair list?
See video of the motor fail here:
I am just looking for some input on if I am getting screwed like other people I read about here and should I take it on the chin, pay, smile and say thanks DJI for being such an upstanding company?

ALL or ANY input would be greatly appreciated, I am just trying to see if I am the only person who has been treated this way by DJI.

Sorry chap but DJI are correct, one of the props came off and it crashed, the cause was an aftermarket prop, not official DJI accessories

Bashy Posted at 2018-5-10 21:11
Sorry chap but DJI are correct, one of the props came off and it crashed, the cause was an aftermarket prop, not official DJI accessories

Where do you see a prop came off?
I think in that case the error would have been more like the "Motor Idling (Loose or Missing Propeller)" and not the "Motor Obstructed"?

Never the less, i doubt it would change anything in regard to the warranty.

@OP: sorry to see this and your loose.

Sorry for the troubles. I've checked your case, and sorry that data analysis is not available due to the usage of third-party propellers. More details, you can find in our policy: https://www.dji.com/service/policy
I understand your frustration and have forwarded this to the right team for review. They will double check and contact you during the working time. Thanks for your patience.

Can anyone at DJI assure me that ALL FOUR motors on a phantom 3 pro can fail at the same time????

Can anyone at DJI assure me that ALL FOUR motors on a phantom 3 pro can fail at the same time????

Extremely unlikely. BUT, all four motors can certainly stop at the one time if the battery fails for whatever reason. This happens from time to time, best to upload your flight data here and we can take a look at it. Go here: http://www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/Upload/ Then come back and post a link to the file.

artmanmike Posted at 2018-5-11 16:34
Can anyone at DJI assure me that ALL FOUR motors on a phantom 3 pro can fail at the same time????

Mike, we are sorry for your case. According to the damage assessment from the engineers, it used wrong prop screw size on the drone which damaged all 4 motors. We suggest pilots use the genuine DJI propellers, the compatibility of the third-party accessories cannot be assured.
Since it has been escalated, the supervisor team will also help on this. If there is any help needed, please kindly contact us or the management, we will do our best to help. Hope your kind understanding.

Can anyone else following this case attest that they have had ANY problems with motor failure with aftermarket props?
Product details
Color: Red
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 1.6 x 1.6 inches ; 2.08 ounces
Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
ASIN: B071RHMJKL
Item model number: PENTAQ

I am guessing this user had these props as well
https://forum.dji.com/thread-36147-1-1.html

But wait, these props seem to be being used by a lot of Phantom 3 pro owners.

Wait, WHAT???????https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/243149/Phantom+3+Professional+crashed+vertical+down

SOOOO in theory, all of these other users who's motors failed are using aftermarket props that caused the issue. The P3P motor issue has been sooooo bad that they started making different motors and discreetly posted this info in fine print that you have to investigate to find.

Were the props still attached to the drone after it crashed?
From what I understand, they replaced the motors because the threads were "damaged" from the nut of the prop, however, if the props were still attached and in one piece, then it could be concluded that the aftermarket props did not cause the crash and DJI is just using this as an excuse to get out of warranty repair. They are specialists at it. The policy specifically stated failure or damage caused by aftermarket products, but it does not state that the use of an aftermarket product will be an issue, only if it fails.

You might also want to look into the flight logs and see what the motor speeds were compared to stock props, if the prop speeds are comparable to stock props then it further concretes that the props had nothing to do with it.

Good luck with it, but unless they start using google assistant for customer support, you're just going to have to suck it up and pay..

Mavdude, props withstood the horrific crash where ,apparently according to DJI, nothing else did....Go figure

Ok, so the only other thing to lok at are the flight logs from the drone, you didn't happen to download them from the drone before you sent it in? These will have motor speeds. If the motor speeds are close to that of normal props then the props had nothing to do with it and DJI should honour their warranty. Damaged threads did not CAUSE the drone to fall out of the sky.

Geebax Posted at 2018-5-11 17:08
Extremely unlikely. BUT, all four motors can certainly stop at the one time if the battery fails for whatever reason. This happens from time to time, best to upload your flight data here and we can take a look at it. Go here: http://www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/Upload/ Then come back and post a link to the file.

Here you go, looks like a singe motor fail to me      http://www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/D27MAWF78E0B9LZYUBOQ/

Mavdude Posted at 2018-5-11 19:46
Ok, so the only other thing to lok at are the flight logs from the drone, you didn't happen to download them from the drone before you sent it in? These will have motor speeds. If the motor speeds are close to that of normal props then the props had nothing to do with it and DJI should honour their warranty. Damaged threads did not CAUSE the drone to fall out of the sky.

Does this help


http://www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/D27MAWF78E0B9LZYUBOQ/#

KedDK Posted at 2018-5-11 01:55
Where do you see a prop came off?
I think in that case the error would have been more like the "Motor Idling (Loose or Missing Propeller)" and not the "Motor Obstructed"?

Ah my bad, apologies OP, I miss-read it, in my defence i mostly read this forum from 4:am till about 6am lol

This is from the csv log

Something has happened at 4:58.9 and that is where it starts to decend.
Unfortunately that log does not show motor speeds. I am not sure where that info can be found, but I have seen it before.
Then after half a second you get the "motor obstructed" warning, followed by the compass error, then it exits gps mode as it continues to fall to its death.

It didn't get attacked by an eagle or hawk, other bird?

Bashy Posted at 2018-5-11 20:26
This is from the csv log

[view_image]

Could you help me understand this? Does it show 4 motor failures at once?

Mavdude Posted at 2018-5-11 20:26
Something has happened at 4:58.9 and that is where it starts to decend.
Unfortunately that log does not show motor speeds. I am not sure where that info can be found, but I have seen it before.
Then after half a second you get the "motor obstructed" warning, followed by the compass error, then it exits gps mode as it continues to fall to its death.

lol, no, it didn't get attacked, I have the flight video posted. One motor failed which is SUPER common with the P3P but, DJI will not repair under warranty leaving a ton of angry customers. I own a business and believe me they are on a downward spiral, kind of like their P3P's!!!!

Not sure about failure, im not overly sure about reading the csv file properly as yet either, but it looks like all 4 motors were at idle, but i think you need member call Labroides too take a look, he is quite proficient in reading the logs...

Looking for DJI P3P owners who have had motor problems and DJI denied a warrantied repair blaming user error. Heres my Motor fail, proof backed up by flight data.

I'll leave this here....
Finally!  Someone else who had a Phantom flip over and crash!  And I have been led to believe from DJI that it was all my fault and no one else ever heard of such.  I have been fighting DJI for over a month now trying to get someone to provide me with the flight data logs but they refuse, claiming no logs exist!!!!!  My Phantom 4 crashed from some 200 feet upside down.  I have all the proof that I am correct but DJI will not acknowledge.  Now I have someone else with the same issue.  
Thanks,
Jim
WA5TEF

These stories are EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, there have been motor failures, but they are rare. Pointing out that the stories are EVERYWHERE does not mean anything, it is what the conclusion was after the incident has been investigated. When someone skilled at reading your other thread looks at the flight data, then we will know.

artmanmike Posted at 2018-5-11 20:27
Could you help me understand this? Does it show 4 motor failures at once?

The motors are very reliable and a single motor would be extremely rare and all four failing would be unheard of.
All 4 motors could stop if something cuts the power from the battery.
In that situation, the recorded flight data just stops when the poer stops.
In this case the data recorded all the way to the ground.

At 4:58.7 there's a hint of a problem shown by a big change in the Pitch with no corresponding joystick imput to have caused it.
Immediately this is followed by significant changes in the yaw and roll data .
This is telling me that one of the front props has stopped or slowed significantly , the front of the Phantom has dropped (pitch) and it's started to spin (yaw) and tumble (roll).
The altitude begins to drop and the vertical speed increases as gravity does its thing.
If I'm reading it correctly, the spin was anti-clockwise which would indicate a problem with the front left (?) prop.
I can't tell if the motor was running with the prop off or if the motor was stopped, which would more likely be caused by a problem with an ESC than the motor itself.
Were all props attached when you found it?
If they were, we can eliminate prop failure.
If one wasn't attached, that might be crash damage or evidence of prop failure.
The didtance away for the missing prop may be relevant (if a prop was missing).
If DJI have inspected the data from the internal data recorder, that shows more information and they would have a good idea if the motor was (or was not) the cause.

Labroides Posted at 2018-5-11 21:11
The motors are very reliable and a single motor would be extremely rare and all four failing would be unheard of.
All 4 motors could stop if something cuts the power from the battery.
In that situation, the recorded flight data just stops when the poer stops.

Labroides, Thanks for your input, you knowledge is highly respected in this forum.
The props were in PERFECT condition and all in tact. 3 of the 4 motors spun freely, 1 seemed to have some resistance. DJI claims all 4 motors failed at the same time due to the aftermarket props that where engineered for the P3P. So I was hit with a $350 repair bill on a warrantied drone. They refuse to show me data proving this and refuse to send me the parts that are deemed damaged.
You know, it's not about the money, it is about the fact that they are blatantly ripping me off by saying all four motors failed because of props. I can only assume that the law of physics is different at the California repair facility. smh

artmanmike Posted at 2018-5-11 20:40
I'll leave this here....
Finally!  Someone else who had a Phantom flip over and crash!  And I have been led to believe from DJI that it was all my fault and no one else ever heard of such.  I have been fighting DJI for over a month now trying to get someone to provide me with the flight data logs but they refuse, claiming no logs exist!!!!!  My Phantom 4 crashed from some 200 feet upside down.  I have all the proof that I am correct but DJI will not acknowledge.  Now I have someone else with the same issue.  
Thanks,

Jim, may I have the case number of P4 issue? I've checked your info in our system, but do not find any info related to the P4. Could you clarify? Thanks in advance!

artmanmike Posted at 2018-5-11 21:32
Labroides, Thanks for your input, you knowledge is highly respected in this forum.
The props were in PERFECT condition and all in tact. 3 of the 4 motors spun freely, 1 seemed to have some resistance. DJI claims all 4 motors failed at the same time due to the aftermarket props that where engineered for the P3P. So I was hit with a $350 repair bill on a warrantied drone. They refuse to show me data proving this and refuse to send me the parts that are deemed damaged.
You know, it's not about the money, it is about the fact that they are blatantly ripping me off by saying all four motors failed because of props. I can only assume that the law of physics is different at the California repair facility. smh

As discussed above, data analysis is not available when using the third-party propellers as the performance cannot be ensured. According to the damage assessment, it is advised to replace all motors for flight safety. We're sorry for the troubles you've experienced and respect your decision as well.

Also, please follow the forum regulations and do not start multiple threads of the similar topics at the same time, due to the multiples will be emerged. Thanks for your cooperation.

DJI Susan Posted at 2018-5-12 22:25
As discussed above, data analysis is not available when using the third-party propellers as the performance cannot be ensured. According to the damage assessment, it is advised to replace all motors for flight safety. We're sorry for the troubles you've experienced and respect your decision as well.

Also, please follow the forum regulations and do not start multiple threads of the similar topics at the same time, due to the multiples will be emerged. Thanks for your cooperation.

But your policy says "Failure of, or damage caused by, any third party products..."
So, if data analysis is not done, then how can you know that the 3rd party props had anything to do with the crash?

There is no policy that says that data analysis will not be done if any 3rd party products are used.

It's a bit like putting some new wheels on your car. Then the engine control unit fails. The dealer then tells you that you have to buy a new engine controller cause you were using different wheels and the repair is not covered by warranty. But we didn't check the cause of the failure, cause you had new wheels.

The best part about the whole analysis situation is they had NO WAY of knowing I had aftermarket props because I took them off before I sent them the drone.
I provided them a video of the crash and they jump on the props as a perfect excuse to take advantage of me. I have hours of flight time with those props, including 3 full batteries of flight over the Gulf of Mexico.

It's a difficult, and uncomfortable situation to be in. I'm sorry to read both threads about this disaster.

Hopefully you can get some relief from all of this turmoil, by paying the bill, getting back to flying, and enjoying your drone as it was meant to be.

I have often read of bad experiences, due to faulty aftermarket parts. Particularly from counterfeit batteries.
Using a set of props that aren't proprietary. Of OEM DJI, is obviously a hazardous practice. If anything goes wrong, you are at fault, even when circumstances were completely out of your control.

By painting with colored Sharpie pens or dying your stock white props with RIT dye you would be well within your rights, to individualize in of making your phantom look unique, special.

I'm not sure how you could test the similarity or differences of a rotor prop internal screw, thread?


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2018-5-13 09:03
It's a difficult, and uncomfortable situation to be in. I'm sorry to read both threads about this disaster.

Hopefully you can get some relief from all of this turmoil, by paying the bill, getting back to flying, and enjoying your drone as it was meant to be.

Thanks for your input. I agree IMPOSSIBLE to test the similarity or differences of a rotor prop internal screw, thread?

artmanmike Posted at 2018-5-13 09:08
Thanks for your input. I agree IMPOSSIBLE to test the similarity or differences of a rotor prop internal screw, thread?

Actually, you could make a mold.

Fill a pair of similar rotors from both prop companies with a modeling wax or of another substance that will harden after setup and be able to be uncrewed. The internal threads would need to be lightly oiled first, to help release the molds when ready. Then when carefully removed you could do close up photography for comparison of their screw size and pitch... Without a proper lab setup, I doubt the average hobbiest would have the ability to distinguish a visual difference.


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2018-5-13 09:29
Actually, you could make a mold.

Fill a pair of similar rotors from both prop companies with a modeling wax or of another substance that will harden after setup and be able to be uncrewed. The internal threads would need to be lightly oiled first, to help release the molds when ready. Then when carefully removed you could do close up photography for comparison of their screw size and pitch... Without a proper lab setup, I doubt the average hobbiest would have the ability to distinguish a visual difference.

Brilliant idea but, I don't think that is what meant was the problem was as the props,apparently, were the ONLY thing that survived the crash

artmanmike Posted at 2018-5-13 09:52
Brilliant idea but, I don't think that is what meant was the problem was as the props,apparently, were the ONLY thing that survived the crash

I hope they shipped your delightful Crimson props back to you.

So you can be Scarlet, once again. Haha


Oh yeah, they weren't sent in... Hehe

RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2018-5-13 09:57
I hope they shipped your delightful Crimson props back to you.

So you can be Scarlet, once again. Haha

I Just ran across this. I am getting 1 of every style!!!!!!!!
!https://teespring.com/screwedbydroneco