My Mavic Pro has over 233 miles on it since I bought it last month. I backed it into a low bush at very low speed and very low altitude a couple of weeks ago. I actually take very good care of it! I also do a full pre-flight inspection before every flight. Thankfully, my diligence paid off today, and I caught this. This could have ended in disaster! This was the front-left propeller.

I do a pre and post inspection. I'm anal like that lol

rolling56 Posted at 2017-11-18 15:42
I do a pre and post inspection. I'm anal like that lol

Me too, actually!

rolling56 Posted at 2017-11-18 15:42
I do a pre and post inspection. I'm anal like that lol

What specifically do you check pre/post flight? Do you have checklist or something you do from memory?

Check all settings, check over aircraft props,gimbal, Rth height home point. Everything. Safety first.

CycleParadise Posted at 2017-11-18 17:43
What specifically do you check pre/post flight? Do you have checklist or something you do from memory?

I do it from memory and it's usually a top-down inspection:

Physical inspection of the aircraft -

• Check battery firmly attached
• Check Mavic battery level by pressing button on battery
• Check RC battery level
• Check props for damage
• Check props for tightness
• Check for cracks in arms/joints
• Check gimbal
• Check ND filter
• Check sensors for dirt *
  

Check general settings page in DJI Go 4 app -

• Check Mavic battery level in the app
• Check for warnings on startup
• Check WB
• Check video resolution *
• Check frame rate
• Check shutter speed
• Check photo size *
• Format SD card if necessary *
• Check Home Point on map
• Check RTH altitude *
• Check loss of signal action (hover, RTH etc) *
  

* = Usually only done before first flight

The entire checklist takes maybe 30 seconds to complete.

https://forum.dji.com/forum.php? ... &fromuid=260008

Here’s mine some commercial requirements in it so it might seem a bit heavy.

Must have hit a bug with a flak vest on. Nasty bit of damage there and sure to effect flight performance.

CycleParadise Posted at 2017-11-18 17:43
What specifically do you check pre/post flight? Do you have checklist or something you do from memory?

Memory mainly and after it is in the air i check the lights. Doesn't take that long. and when it comes back i look at everything all over again. Some times i need to clean the props from bug guts lol

Good for you. I agree I do the same because its the responsible thing to do. It'll save your copter, other potential problems and your wallet.

Interesting that the crack is on the trailing edge of the blade!

I basically do the same pre-flight check as Jyunte posted. In addition, after I am airborn and 10 meters up (to let Mavic record RTH point), I hover and check all directional movements: bank left/right, tilt forward/back, yaw left right, 1m descent.

rolling56 Posted at 2017-11-18 15:42
I do a pre and post inspection. I'm anal like that lol

I think there is a lesson to be learned here, always check pre and post flights.

Jyunte Posted at 2017-11-19 03:07
I do it from memory and it's usually a top-down inspection:

Physical inspection of the aircraft -

This is a great list! A very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-11-19 03:23
https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=119776&fromuid=260008

Here’s mine some commercial requirements in it so it might seem a bit heavy.

Thank you hallmark007. That's a very detailed list and comprehensive list.

Absolutely agee on doing flight checks but I don’t think that particular issue is that big of a deal, more of a replace soon thing. I have completed full flights somehow acquiring that damage during the flight and nothing happened. On RC  helicopters/planes I have seen some really beat up props/blades and have only seen one spectacular prop failure when a wood prop exploded mid flight.

If the fault tolerance is so low that a tiny crack on the trailing edge of a very, very, thin prop is enough to down a mavic these things would be falling out of the sky left and right.

I did read quiet a few time that its good to check that the battery is firmly attached and some mavic might have crashed because the battery wasnt attached properly.  I tried to turn on the mavic without the battery being in place and it wouldnt power on, i am a little bit surprised by this in between mode..

BumblerBee Posted at 2017-11-19 07:08
Interesting that the crack is on the trailing edge of the blade!

I basically do the same pre-flight check as Jyunte posted. In addition, after I am airborn and 10 meters up (to let Mavic record RTH point), I hover and check all directional movements: bank left/right, tilt forward/back, yaw left right, 1m descent.

I can't think why the propeller would crack at the trailing edge.... Unless it's just from constant flexing due to the vortexes created by the trailing edge? Though I do like the idea of the bug wearing a Kevlar vest!!

Common sense surely?

Do you also track or log the distance during use of the MP? or maintenance log as part of the checklist process?

M.C. Pilot Posted at 2017-11-19 16:40
Do you also track or log the distance during use of the MP? or maintenance log as part of the checklist process?

On my phone, I use Evernote to keep track of each battery's capacity, how long the flight time is, and the ending battery percentage. Say I usually get 17 minutes of flight time and still have 37% battery left, but then notice my flight time is decreasing to less than 17 minutes, or, after 17 minutes I'm hitting only 20% battery remaining, I have some data to compare and see what's going on. I don't update this information every flight, it's just a snapshot in time. My log also tells me how many times each battery has been charged (taken from the DJI Go 4 app battery page). Distance is tracked by the DJI Go 4 app flight logs. Today, I flew one flight of 4.5 miles (2.25 miles in each direction... The target was MUCH further than I thought it was - thankfully there was no wind at all, and I landed with 40% battery remaining), another of just over 2 miles, and a third flight of about 3 miles.

Jyunte Posted at 2017-11-19 18:52
On my phone, I use Evernote to keep track of each battery's capacity, how long the flight time is, and the ending battery percentage. Say I usually get 17 minutes of flight time and still have 37% battery left, but then notice my flight time is decreasing to less than 17 minutes, or, after 17 minutes I'm hitting only 20% battery remaining, I have some data to compare and see what's going on. I don't update this information every flight, it's just a snapshot in time. My log also tells me how many times each battery has been charged (taken from the DJI Go 4 app battery page). Distance is tracked by the DJI Go 4 app flight logs. Today, I flew one flight of 4.5 miles (2.25 miles in each direction... The target was MUCH further than I thought it was - thankfully there was no wind at all, and I landed with 40% battery remaining), another of just over 2 miles, and a third flight of about 3 miles.

Seems like that app organizes data nicely to compare or make adjustments as needed. Important I think, to keep track of the maintenance, especially those batteries/props.

M.C. Pilot Posted at 2017-11-20 06:07
Seems like that app organizes data nicely to compare or make adjustments as needed. Important I think, to keep track of the maintenance, especially those batteries/props.

               
        5. Shutdown Check       
        Aircraft Battery        Off
        "Safe"        Announce
               
        Airframe        Undamaged
        Propellers        Undamaged
        Motors        Rotating Free & Temp
        Camera/Gimbal        Checked
        Logbook        Recorded
        ATC        Advise
               

Jyunte Posted at 2017-11-19 03:07
I do it from memory and it's usually a top-down inspection:

Physical inspection of the aircraft -

Very good check list.
Thanks for sharing with us.
It will be helpfull.