I just found this.
Good luck with the new one Ian.

Have you got care refresh?

Perhaps a small clip-on, bottom mounted, wireless thermometer and recieving unit is called for for such flights?

I won't be overflying any volcanos so I should be OK

Thanks all; yep, sadly the old Mini 3 Pro is a melted souvenir.  It's entire underside was badly melted with the battery fused into the main body.  I was able to retrieve the micro SD card but it's unable to focus at all.  
I'm thinking I completely underestimated distances from the lava as last year's crater was huge, whilst this year's is still very small, but of course I flew down to fill the screen with the crater, meaning I was way lower and closer to the lava than I was last year.  
Live and learn; I bought a new one from DJI Reykjavik and it's working beautifully.  
Back up there again tomorrow

Ian

Ian in London Posted at 8-12 14:14
Thanks all; yep, sadly the old Mini 3 Pro is a melted souvenir.  It's entire underside was badly melted with the battery fused into the main body.  I was able to retrieve the micro SD card but it's unable to focus at all.  
I'm thinking I completely underestimated distances from the lava as last year's crater was huge, whilst this year's is still very small, but of course I few down to fill the screen with the crater, meaning I was way lower and closer to the lava than I was last year.  
Live and learn; I bought a new one from DJI Reykjavik and it's working beautifully.  

Just remember this time around Ian to keep the new Mini 3 a bit higher and less closer to the lava this time around.  

You aren't the only one to have melted their drone over that location as I've seen at least several other YouTubers and comments on Reddit about same situation.

Yikes, not good for Ian.  Thanks for sharing this video.  Just another great reminder to us that our drones are far from indestructible.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 8-12 14:24
Just remember this time around Ian to keep the new Mini 3 a bit higher and less closer to the lava this time around.  

You aren't the only one to have melted their drone over that location as I've seen at least several other YouTubers and comments on Reddit about same situation.

Yep; flying way higher tomorrow.  As said, all taken on the chin; these things happen and it's only my own fault.   Still having a great trip.....

Ian in London Posted at 8-12 14:14
Thanks all; yep, sadly the old Mini 3 Pro is a melted souvenir.  It's entire underside was badly melted with the battery fused into the main body.  I was able to retrieve the micro SD card but it's unable to focus at all.  
I'm thinking I completely underestimated distances from the lava as last year's crater was huge, whilst this year's is still very small, but of course I flew down to fill the screen with the crater, meaning I was way lower and closer to the lava than I was last year.  
Live and learn; I bought a new one from DJI Reykjavik and it's working beautifully.  

Sorry to hear of the melt-down. I commented about safety while I watched it flying thru the haze.  I was surprised the craft didn’t melt from the sulphur dioxide and other very acidic gases being emitted, to say nothing of the extreme heat.  Be careful.

Damn, this is one of those times i would have been happy with 1080 and used the zoom lol Evidently no Care Refresh as you say you bought a new one, damn, a shame, especially in today's climate, i bet you buy it this time lol

The Mini 3, it's so hot right now.

Hello there MySky. Good day and thank you for sharing this video that you have came upon. Just a reminder that the recommended Operating Temperature Range of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is at -10° to 40° C ( 14° to 104° F ) to avoid any unwanted incident when flying. In addition, I will post a DJI tutorial video on Flying in Hot and Cold Weather. Thank you and fly safe always.

Oh Ian that was a very sad sight to see the underside of that Mini 3 Pro and a testament to the incredible power and energy of nature.  I guess hot air rises and the air is probably like a hot air fryer directly above the lava. I think there is a youtube video from last year's eruption of some birds frying up as even they couldn't fly high enough to escape the immense heat. If any volcanic action pops up in New Zealand I consider myself forewarned so thanks for taking one for the team    

Use the big red Autel brick if that melts I bet you wouldn’t care

He did get pretty close.  

Ian in London Posted at 8-12 15:19
Yep; flying way higher tomorrow.  As said, all taken on the chin; these things happen and it's only my own fault.   Still having a great trip.....

At least you are still having a great trip.  Hope the rest of your trip goes exceptionally well.  

How sad !
My regrets. RiP little mini.

Ian in London Posted at 8-12 14:14
Thanks all; yep, sadly the old Mini 3 Pro is a melted souvenir.  It's entire underside was badly melted with the battery fused into the main body.  I was able to retrieve the micro SD card but it's unable to focus at all.  
I'm thinking I completely underestimated distances from the lava as last year's crater was huge, whilst this year's is still very small, but of course I flew down to fill the screen with the crater, meaning I was way lower and closer to the lava than I was last year.  
Live and learn; I bought a new one from DJI Reykjavik and it's working beautifully.  

Interesting in how since you could not get the battery out, sent it on basically a "Viking Funeral" final flight. Volcanos are no joke...

Actually not hot, uprising air is the problem, but the sheer infrared radiation from the molten lava would heat up any material in any radial direction. So even coming sideways would have caused the problems as long as the lava being visible. Glad you got it back at least as a friendly reminder that mother earth still is the boss!

Ian in London Posted at 8-12 14:14
Thanks all; yep, sadly the old Mini 3 Pro is a melted souvenir.  It's entire underside was badly melted with the battery fused into the main body.  I was able to retrieve the micro SD card but it's unable to focus at all.  
I'm thinking I completely underestimated distances from the lava as last year's crater was huge, whilst this year's is still very small, but of course I flew down to fill the screen with the crater, meaning I was way lower and closer to the lava than I was last year.  
Live and learn; I bought a new one from DJI Reykjavik and it's working beautifully.  

Nooooooo.
That is not too nice!