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Killer Waves - RIP Spark 1
928 23 2018-1-19
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jimm00re
First Officer
Flight distance : 1277503 ft
United States
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First and foremost this loss was entirely my fault.  In no way do I blame or is this a reflection DJI or my Spark.

This morning I was along our Coastline for larger than normal waves and was flying around getting photos like the one below.

After a few waves went by, I got too close and one skimmed the bottom of my Spark.  I lifted up and almost immediately had a No Image Transmission Signal warning. I started to fly back and about 50 feet from home it suddenly spun out of control and into the rocks below. Before I could get to it it was swept away by the ocean.  I did see it submerged but could not safely get to it. Later I went back after the tide went out and was unable to locate.  

I suspect that enough water entered to cause the No Image error and later the sudden acceleration incident that sent it into the rocks.

and Yes I have uploaded the log, but theres not much too it... http://www.phantomhelp.com/logviewer/7QR54K0R22LV29KIOZ89/

Spark #2 got activated today so the great pics and fun continues....



IMG_0532.JPG
2018-1-19
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Bing Err
Captain
Flight distance : 9249964 ft
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United States
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Oops. Would love to see that video though.
2018-1-19
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Aeromirage
Captain
Flight distance : 1778045 ft
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United States
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Sorry for your loss.

Like they say, it's not IF we crash, it is a matter of WHEN.
Water and electronics don't match, as you know.
Glad you are "owning it" and not trying to blame DJI, sunspots, etc.

2018-1-19
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Chirpz
lvl.3
Flight distance : 20256 ft
United States
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Sorry about your loss.... it is a really cool picture though.
2018-1-19
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LouisP
Captain
Flight distance : 41952 ft
United States
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Very nice picture though.. too bad you couldn't get the spark back and retrive the SD card :-(
2018-1-19
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Samuel Bona
Second Officer
Flight distance : 236102 ft
United States
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Cameras are tools, and tools get broken- Thats life. I just destroyed my DSLR camera, wasn't upset about the camera breaking, I was more so upset about how I lost all of those photos (sd card got corrupted)! I hope that I don't crash my spark, I do love the darn thing. But I won't be torn up if I do. Good to see though that you got another one and are back taking photos. Send us more photos of that brilliant landscape you reside by!
Regards--
Samuel Bona
2018-1-19
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Anuvis
First Officer
Flight distance : 1976736 ft
Greece
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Samuel Bona Posted at 2018-1-19 20:17
Cameras are tools, and tools get broken- Thats life. I just destroyed my DSLR camera, wasn't upset about the camera breaking, I was more so upset about how I lost all of those photos (sd card got corrupted)! I hope that I don't crash my spark, I do love the darn thing. But I won't be torn up if I do. Good to see though that you got another one and are back taking photos. Send us more photos of that brilliant landscape you reside by!
Regards--
Samuel Bona

I totally agree with you....When my friends asking me how i will feel if i loose my drone , i answer them every time that the most important in the drone is the sd card....
2018-1-20
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Tviscomi
Captain
Flight distance : 106886 ft
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United States
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Sucks that its gone and it is encouraging to hear/read when someone admits it was their fault for the loss.
2018-1-20
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A CW
Captain
Flight distance : 13838848 ft
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United Kingdom
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Sorry to read about your loss - I got into a discussion on this forum about keeping a higher altitude when flying over water but they were having none of it - I'm sure they will experience the same fate. Refreshing that you don't blame anyone else. Hopefully DJI will give you a good discount on your next one for being a loyal customer. Great shot too BTW.
2018-1-20
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Oracle Miata
Captain
Flight distance : 3759829 ft
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United States
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Sorry for the loss, but nice ownership of the fault.  Is your new Spark the same color, or something different?
2018-1-20
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eman_vg
Second Officer
Flight distance : 1015440 ft
United States
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Bing Err Posted at 2018-1-19 18:32
Oops. Would love to see that video though.

Agreed, I would want to see the video
2018-1-20
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eman_vg
Second Officer
Flight distance : 1015440 ft
United States
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Ya ... wasn't a good idea to fly a baby Spark that close to the water, unless it was in Sport Mode, it is too slow to react and move in regular mode, hopefully your new Spark is just as good as the old!!
2018-1-20
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jimm00re
First Officer
Flight distance : 1277503 ft
United States
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LouisP Posted at 2018-1-19 19:28
Very nice picture though.. too bad you couldn't get the spark back and retrive the SD card :-(

No doubt, I was hoping to find it for both the card and the DJI Refresh...   
2018-1-20
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jimm00re
First Officer
Flight distance : 1277503 ft
United States
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Samuel Bona Posted at 2018-1-19 20:17
Cameras are tools, and tools get broken- Thats life. I just destroyed my DSLR camera, wasn't upset about the camera breaking, I was more so upset about how I lost all of those photos (sd card got corrupted)! I hope that I don't crash my spark, I do love the darn thing. But I won't be torn up if I do. Good to see though that you got another one and are back taking photos. Send us more photos of that brilliant landscape you reside by!
Regards--
Samuel Bona

So very true, thats why #2 was in my closet already... I just wasn't planning on using it so soon.
2018-1-20
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jimm00re
First Officer
Flight distance : 1277503 ft
United States
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Oracle Miata Posted at 2018-1-20 06:16
Sorry for the loss, but nice ownership of the fault.  Is your new Spark the same color, or something different?

Thanks, My source only has white...
2018-1-20
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jimm00re
First Officer
Flight distance : 1277503 ft
United States
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eman_vg Posted at 2018-1-20 06:57
Ya ... wasn't a good idea to fly a baby Spark that close to the water, unless it was in Sport Mode, it is too slow to react and move in regular mode, hopefully your new Spark is just as good as the old!!

I'm sure will be just as good as the first. I tried to lift it a few times yesterday afternoon but landed it the first time due to attention from birds and the second time for wind as it had picked up in the late afternoon. I really didn't want this to evolve into lost two in one day...
2018-1-20
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jimm00re
First Officer
Flight distance : 1277503 ft
United States
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eman_vg Posted at 2018-1-20 06:57
Ya ... wasn't a good idea to fly a baby Spark that close to the water, unless it was in Sport Mode, it is too slow to react and move in regular mode, hopefully your new Spark is just as good as the old!!

I'm sure will be just as good as the first. I tried to lift it a few times yesterday afternoon but landed it the first time due to attention from birds and the second time for wind as it had picked up in the late afternoon. I really didn't want this to evolve into lost two in one day...
2018-1-20
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Samuel Bona
Second Officer
Flight distance : 236102 ft
United States
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jimm00re Posted at 2018-1-20 07:21
Thanks, My source only has white...

Oi! I find the white to be the most interesting! Keeps the drone looking clean and professional  (Green had a close second though) ;)
2018-1-20
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rimza
Captain
Flight distance : 3307 ft
Brunei
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A very brave endeavor.  Taking chances possibly will result in a one in a million photo/video portfolio.

2018-1-20
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Wachtberger
Captain
Flight distance : 261509 ft
Germany
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I am very sorry for your loss but appreciate your approach to it. And the picture is great! I wish you always happy landings with the new Spark.
2018-1-20
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Lucas775
Captain
Flight distance : 50642090 ft
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United States
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Had almost the same run-in with water mine was a river though on how I lost my P4 and I could not safely retrieve it.  Live and learn and move on
2018-1-20
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Montfrooij
Captain
Flight distance : 2560453 ft
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Netherlands
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Darn, that is bad luck.
2018-1-20
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CharlieZ
Captain
Flight distance : 623432 ft
United States
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Cool, thanks for sharing!
2019-1-7
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darkfull1
Second Officer
Flight distance : 13114 ft
Switzerland
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Too bad for you drone and especially the sd card with your photos on it. Good that you could get a new spark keep flying and taking awesome images.
2019-1-8
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