The unfortunate results of a dangerous mission. This spark is suffering from sudden deceleration trauma with an unscheduled rapid inflight disassembly.

This Spark gave it’s life in the name of furthering science and so that others may live.

It was a great drone,  loved by many, it had an insatiable appitite for travel and would often reach for the stars. Sparkie had wanderlust always exploring new lands and wanting to see what was over the next hill. It accepted its missions without question always willing to serve as a proud professional. This spark is survived by its long time controler, and two young Sparks.  

Please leave yout thoughts and or prayers.

In lew of gifts or flowers the family asks that you adoppt a pet in need of a good loving home.   

***************UPDATE**************

I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, Prayers, and kind words during this difficult time.
I am happy to report however; DJI delivered a new ( not rebuilt )  in the box Spark out to me in 11 days flat.

  I would like to thank the awesome folks in their service department...Thank you..

I used the DJI rapid refresh option... HAZZAAA

I liked the service so much that I purchased the refresh + as soon as it arrived.  Moe money moe money moe money $$$ ( when does this company go publick!!!???)

Side note: calibrated IMU and compass,..

Flew it close for the first 50,000' it was a bit unstable for the first couple flights...then it seemed to settle in...could be just my imagination

Then shot this video for a friend selling a home...

Oh NO!!!!!  SPARKY .....................     Out of Warranty??...

Greg F Posted at 2018-8-21 19:50
Oh NO!!!!!  SPARKY .....................     Out of Warranty??...

It's now on its first refresh

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-21 19:59
It's now on its first refresh

Nice so you will get a Brand new one.   I think that one looks dead.  

Greg F Posted at 2018-8-21 20:00
Nice so you will get a Brand new one.   I think that one looks dead.

I used the rapid refresh option so we will see how long it will take and what unit they will send. So far they rebuilt one and replaced a referbished one with a diffrent unit. No complaints here with their service or warranty department. It has all been seamless. Meanwhile I updated the firmware in the other sparks and will test fly them tomorrow, calibrate if necessary, etc. Drone life can be cruel.

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-21 20:08
I used the rapid refresh option so we will see how long it will take. Meanwhile I updated the firmware in the other sparks and will test fly them tomorrow, calibrate if necessary, etc. Drone life can be cruel.

LOL how many drones do you have???

Greg F Posted at 2018-8-21 20:00
Nice so you will get a Brand new one.   I think that one looks dead.

It's Toast
I guess we will see what they send.

wait what... are you saying battery fell out and it fell from the sky!!!???? or does it mean gust of wind made it spiral down? your description of events is poetic but i dont get what happend :/ lol

Datree Posted at 2018-8-21 20:41
wait what... are you saying battery fell out and it fell from the sky!!!????  or does it mean gust of wind made it spiral down? your description of events is poetic but i dont get what happend :/ lol

The mission was classified.
Thats why its vague.

Why dont you comment as "SIP"

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-21 20:51
The mission was classified.
Thats why its vague.

He was on a mission from GOD!!...

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-21 20:51
The mission was classified.
Thats why its vague.

Your reply is so hilarious. I feel sad for your Spark though ... rest in peace Spark.

Now I'm thinking that it probably wouldn't have been a classified secret mission if the replacement had been a warranty job. Or shouldn't I go there?

In the Firearms industry we like to call that a R.U.D.E. experience, I believe the same applies here. A RUDE experience can be had by using the wrong ammunition, having a squib load or any number of factors related to handloading. I believe that a set of guidelines is in place to prevent RUDE experiences in the Spark world. A sudden reverse acceleration (ground contact at velocity) or encountering a solid object during flight (also a sudden reverse in acceleration) appears to have caused this Rapid Unintended Disassembly Experience....Sorry man thats a rough one. Carmenvail's Spark is Dead! Long Live Carmenvail's Spark!

Pet adopted.

Eh, a bit of gaffer's tape and some buffing and she'll be good as new.

I will adopt a pet...

Ronnie.Choy Posted at 2018-8-21 23:06
Your reply is so hilarious. I feel sad for your Spark though ... rest in peace Spark.

"Rest in pieces Spark"

FTFY

Whats the fuzz about., front left, plasticweld, and resolder wires, new props, and camera mount and wires.

Charissa Posted at 2018-8-22 04:39
Pet adopted.

Thank you for honoring this fallen spark by adopting a  pet.

Joller79 DK Posted at 2018-8-22 07:04
Whats the fuzz about., front left, plasticweld, and resolder wires, new props, and camera mount and wires.

Have you ever watched a tear down video of the spark? You need a microscope to handle some of the internal components. none for me thanks. Ill leave it to the pros. I'm sure there is a tiny chines person in the repair facility who has fingers small enough to fit in to the spark while looking through a magnifying glass the size of the Hubble telescope making these repairs. I can't even read the SN without taking a photo of it and then Blowing it up to read.  

BrandonW77 Posted at 2018-8-22 05:41
Eh, a bit of gaffer's tape and some buffing and she'll be good as new.

Like Ferris Buellers Day Off after they destroy the  Ferrari by jacking up the back wheels and trying to run the car in reverse to take the miles off of it that they had put on when the parents were out.

"We can fix it my dads got a bitchen set of tools."

Ronnie.Choy Posted at 2018-8-21 23:06
Your reply is so hilarious. I feel sad for your Spark though ... rest in peace Spark.

Thank you for your kind words at this trying time.

I too hope and pray that Spark rests in pieces.

We will honor and think about the Sparky every time we go for a walk. Respect.

Warriewoodlad Posted at 2018-8-21 23:20
Now I'm thinking that it probably wouldn't have been a classified secret mission if the replacement had been a warranty job. Or shouldn't I go there?

It is under the DJI refresh policy. But It's mission will be classified for the next 35 years.

Charissa Posted at 2018-8-22 07:41
We will honor and think about the Sparky every time we go for a walk. Respect.

#namaste

Holy crap batman .. that must of been painful both for you and the spark ... RIP

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-21 19:59
It's now on its first refresh

Glad you had the DJI Care Refresh on that baby.  Hope you get your new one soon.

cheers,

Sparky_17 Posted at 2018-8-22 07:57
Holy crap batman .. that must of been painful both for you and the spark ... RIP

If you are going to be in this game then you know and accept the risks, It was painful but Life will find a way to go on.

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-22 07:44
It is under the DJI refresh policy. But It's mission will be classified for the next 35 years.

Ok, time to file FOIA Request

dudez7 Posted at 2018-8-22 08:12
Ok, time to file FOIA Request

LOL
OK I can tell you that it involved a funeral for a friend,  the scattering of some ashes, and possibly a bottle of Bacardi, It all becomes fuzzy after the funeral.

Charissa Posted at 2018-8-22 04:39
Pet adopted.

Thank you!!

Greg F Posted at 2018-8-21 21:57
He was on a mission from GOD!!...

....well it was the 80's
Those were the days...

Datree Posted at 2018-8-21 20:41
wait what... are you saying battery fell out and it fell from the sky!!!????  or does it mean gust of wind made it spiral down? your description of events is poetic but i dont get what happend :/ lol

In not so technical terms....."it crashed"

RIP Sparkie!

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-22 07:32
Have you ever watched a tear down video of the spark? You need a microscope to handle some of the internal components. none for me thanks. Ill leave it to the pros. I'm sure there is a tiny chines person in the repair facility who has fingers small enough to fit in to the spark while looking through a magnifying glass the size of the Hubble telescope making these repairs. I can't even read the SN without taking a photo of it and then Blowing it up to read.

He he. Yeah i fixed some my self, but each to its owns likings. And if you got carerefreash, then it is a nobrainer...but me.. I cant wait till sparks get out of waranty, and people give up on them..

Boo!!!!!!!

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-8-22 08:34
I used to hang out with Bones from the original blues brothers. One night we were joking about a mission from god, then borrowed Dan's police car and drove to New York. come to think of it, that was also after a bottle of bacardi and a bucket of coke.....well it was the 80's
Those were the days...

If you were drinking Bacardi and flying.. That would lead to a crash ..  "IF"  

When is new sparky coming in?

Greg - TheHuski Posted at 2018-8-22 14:39
If you were drinking Bacardi and flying.. That would lead to a crash ..  "IF"

Not necessarily...
The offical story is:

It was lost on a VIP TOP secrete mission in the line of duty ..