This evening I made some fun flights testing my new iPad mount did all the preflight checks including checking the props. There was no visible damage at all. I was flying over a wide open field and after bringing my mavic pro back to change the battery I discovered a part missing on one of the props. I have no idea what happened, flew far away from trees and hit nothing. The damage is on the inside of the prop, never seen this before.Any opinions what could have caused this damage?

could have been a hair line crack that broke under preassure while flying

I am sorry for the inconvenience. Have you check the status of the other propellers. Suren might be correct there might be a hairline crack before on the drone's propellers and pressure while fling broke it off.

DJI Stephen Posted at 2018-6-7 10:16
I am sorry for the inconvenience. Have you check the status of the other propellers. Suren might be correct there might be a hairline crack before on the drone's propellers and pressure while fling broke it off.

Thanks Stephen, I checked all prop, before and after flight. No visible damage at all.

Suren Posted at 2018-6-7 10:13
could have been a hair line crack that broke under preassure while flying

Could be, but I checked before flight and did not see any cracks. Perhaps overlooked.

I checked the props again and on the other frontprop there might be a small crack. Hardly visible below the surface.
As a precausion I shall replace all props. Better safe than sorry.

How many miles on these props?  I figure that it was cracked before as well as Suren said and under pressure broke off.  Just a FYI I have flown 500 miles on my 8331 low noise props.  Still check them closely each time and they still look brand new.

If you discover hairy cracks on anything made of plastic or similar, grab it and gently pull or twist it. Then it will quickly turn out if it's damaged. If damage is bearably visible, it will become visible with a little force and if it is deep it will probably break completely. In both cases an accident may be avoided.

SparksBird Posted at 2018-6-7 10:38
How many miles on these props?  I figure that it was cracked before as well as Suren said and under pressure broke off.  Just a FYI I have flown 500 miles on my 8331 low noise props.  Still check them closely each time and they still look brand new.

My total milage is 123 miles. I have been flying some time with low noise props but did not like it very much. I replaced the props with new standard maybe 40 or 50 miles ago,  just before I went on holiday.

FlyDK Posted at 2018-6-7 10:46
If you discover hairy cracks on anything made of plastic or similar, grab it and gently pull or twist it. Then it will quickly turn out if it's damaged. If damage is bearably visible, it will become visible with a little force and if it is deep it will probably break completely. In both cases an accident may be avoided.

Thanks flyDK that is a good advice.

chiplifter Posted at 2018-6-7 10:48
Thanks flyDK that is a good advice.

You're welcome mate.

SparksBird Posted at 2018-6-7 10:38
How many miles on these props?  I figure that it was cracked before as well as Suren said and under pressure broke off.  Just a FYI I have flown 500 miles on my 8331 low noise props.  Still check them closely each time and they still look brand new.

Have suspected my low noise ones are weaker than the original ones. Had to replace two In a short space of time and never replaced any of the original ones.

ShadyDealer Posted at 2018-6-7 11:06
Have suspected my low noise ones are weaker than the original ones. Had to replace two In a short space of time and never replaced any of the original ones.

Interesting.  Like I stated 500+ miles on my low noise.  Did you get directly from DJI your props?

ShadyDealer Posted at 2018-6-7 11:06
Have suspected my low noise ones are weaker than the original ones. Had to replace two In a short space of time and never replaced any of the original ones.

Yeah, I also bought some of those but think as well they seem suspiciously thin, flimsy and fragile.

Is there any possibility someone shot at the drone with and air gun?




These blades were hit by shot gun pellets.
Yes, the P3P was shot full of holes, but it still made a RTH landing with camera and circuit board above it smashed away.

AlansDronePics Posted at 2018-6-7 11:25
Is there any possibility someone shot at the drone with and air gun?

[view_image]

I guess not. No people miles around.

Something might have changed the resilience of the prop material - either low temperatures (freezing) or UV from strong sunlight maybe. The fragmented look of the broken edge gives me cause to wonder. Its a bit like crumbly cheddar cheese - similar effect actually as fats disassociate in old cheese - or much like a dried-out bar of soap. It might have been a batch of props where the initial mix was not quite right, or the bake was off a bit. Here's image processed versions of your photos - they show the 'hidden' variation in the props' surfaces
.


And indeed as its along the trailing edge of the prop, structural breakdown seems a possibility.

Lamplighter55 Posted at 2018-6-7 11:44
Something might have changed the resilience of the prop material - either low temperatures (freezing) or UV from strong sunlight maybe. The fragmented look of the broken edge gives me cause to wonder. Its a bit like crumbly cheddar cheese - similar effect actually as fats disassociate in old cheese - or much like a dried-out bar od soap. It might have been a batch of props where the initial mix was not quite right, or the bake was off a bit. Here's image processed versions of your photos - they show the 'hidden' variation in the props' surfaces
[view_image].
[view_image]

Thanks lampighter, I will check my spare (unused) set if there are similar patterns.

I have both an lownoise and a regular props where there is a crack on the trailing edge where the air leaves near the end of the blade. I suppose it is because the blade vibrate when the props is rotating.

Regards Leif.

Hi chiplifter;

Having good props is cheap insurance when it comes to the wellbeing of your investment.  Leading edge damage can probably be explained away but trailing edge damage could be a mfg. defect that was not visable to the naked eye.  You're smart to replace all your props with OEM props from DJI.

Better luck in the future and safe flying.

Chuck.  

I bet that was the flying chipmunks from the neighborhood! Look at the teeth marks!  

Are these the 'low noise' props?

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-6-8 00:25
Are these the 'low noise' props?

No Montfrooi, regular props.

chiplifter Posted at 2018-6-8 00:38
No Montfrooi, regular props.

Ok.
They are more sturdy than the new ones.
Not sure if that is better or worse, but I only got new ones now.
I know I have had cracks in my props, so bought some spares for when I run out.

Happy for you that at least the drone got back to you without crashing.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-6-8 00:47
Ok.
They are more sturdy than the new ones.
Not sure if that is better or worse, but I only got new ones now.

It's a damn good idea to always have extra propellers. We must never lack equipment or spare parts and risk getting withdrawals.

Picanoc Jack Posted at 2018-6-8 01:18
Happy for you that at least the drone got back to you without crashing.

Yes indeed. While flying I did not notice any instability. No drifting, no gimbal shakes, just stable as always, even with broken prop.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-6-8 00:47
Ok.
They are more sturdy than the new ones.
Not sure if that is better or worse, but I only got new ones now.

I replaced all to be sure. Still have one pair left and a complete set low noise props.

FlyDK Posted at 2018-6-8 01:24
It's a damn good idea to always have extra propellers. We must never lack equipment or spare parts and risk getting withdrawals.

Very true, that is why I bought them

chiplifter Posted at 2018-6-8 01:27
I replaced all to be sure. Still have one pair left and a complete set low noise props.

            

FlyDK Posted at 2018-6-7 10:46
If you discover hairy cracks on anything made of plastic or similar, grab it and gently pull or twist it. Then it will quickly turn out if it's damaged. If damage is bearably visible, it will become visible with a little force and if it is deep it will probably break completely. In both cases an accident may be avoided.

Good advice on hairy cracks mate hahahaha

A CW Posted at 2018-6-8 07:36
Good advice on hairy cracks mate hahahaha

Hahaha.
Sometimes I have to trust google translate, and that's what it said. Maybe I should of written 'hair fine' instead, but what the heck. I believe we all understood the deeper meaning, right?

A CW Posted at 2018-6-8 07:36
Good advice on hairy cracks mate hahahaha

lol made my day

FlyDK Posted at 2018-6-8 08:00
Hahaha.
Sometimes I have to trust google translate, and that's what it said. Maybe I should of written 'hair fine' instead, but what the heck. I believe we all understood the deeper meaning, right?

Lol. I did not read that at first, but when you read it, you can’t unread.

A CW Posted at 2018-6-8 07:36
Good advice on hairy cracks mate hahahaha

Better to have a hairy crack in your prop than a prop in your ...ehe...

chiplifter Posted at 2018-6-8 08:59
Better to have a hairy crack in your prop than a prop in your ...ehe...

LOL - please stop.

A CW Posted at 2018-6-8 07:36
Good advice on hairy cracks mate hahahaha

"hairy cracks" - you're a BAD man!!

FlyDK Posted at 2018-6-8 08:00
Hahaha.
Sometimes I have to trust google translate, and that's what it said. Maybe I should of written 'hair fine' instead, but what the heck. I believe we all understood the deeper meaning, right?

Funny as mate - the fact it clearly was not deliberate is the best

Dorset_Horn Posted at 2018-6-8 09:06
"hairy cracks" - you're a BAD man!!

Actually not. I am highly loved by my canary bird.

When you were flying around - did you see any people hanging around?

Got to wondering if somebody took a BB / Pellet shot at your drone.