I've found a DJI Phantom Drone outside of a cabin we were renting in Gatlinburg, TN. I was able to pull the card and get some video. There's no owner info on the drone, but if you can tell me what cabin you were at, when you stayed there (based off the timestamp of the crash video), then it's yours. I'd love to fix it myself and fly it, but can't do it in good conscience without trying to find the owner. I know these things are expensive. If I don't have any luck here, does anyone else know what to do? I'm trying to find the rental property's info so I can see if they can contact who stayed there at the date on the video. Any forums or websites that could help locate the owner? Thanks.

So Much respect for you. Well done... wow.

Good luck finding the rightful owner. ;-)

Please also post something over at http://phantompilots.com too...

Thanks for being an upstanding citizen. Hope you enjoyed your stay.


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 12-16 13:25
So Much respect for you. Well done... wow.

Good luck finding the rightful owner. ;-)

Thanks, I've posted over there in the lost and found section as you advised. Hopefully someone will see this so they can get their Phantom back.

Your honesty is admirable.  I hope the owner is found,  if not,  you did your part.

Looking at more video, I believe I have found the owner's home address based on landmarks and finding it on Google Earth. Fingers crossed I can get this back to them. I still may contact DJI just to see if they can contact the owner as well. Thanks for the help.

Try DJI forums on facebook also.

satalac Posted at 12-16 14:59
Looking at more video, I believe I have found the owner's home address based on landmarks and finding it on Google Earth. Fingers crossed I can get this back to them. I still may contact DJI just to see if they can contact the owner as well. Thanks for the help.

Forget even attempting to acquire any help from the big corporation.

Lost and found doesn’t interest them. Not enough intrigue.

They will not devulge an iota of thee unfortunates info...



RedHotPoker

satalac Posted at 12-16 13:52
Thanks, I've posted over there in the lost and found section as you advised. Hopefully someone will see this so they can get their Phantom back.

Aside from posting a found poster on trees in the vicinity you have done your due diligence.


Thanks again, for being an honest and care-full, individual!! That’s very respectful, kind fellow.

Good luck Too, to you.


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 12-16 15:08
Forget even attempting to acquire any help from the big corporation.

Lost and found doesn’t interest them. Not enough intrigue.

Yeah, it feels like a long shot, but I told them that if they could just put who they have on file in contact with me (I provided my email address, and the address I believe this person is at, along with a possible last name), I would get it back to them. We'll see what happens.

satalac Posted at 12-16 15:12
Yeah, it feels like a long shot, but I told them that if they could just put who they have on file in contact with me (I provided my email address, and the address I believe this person is at, along with a possible last name), I would get it back to them. We'll see what happens.

Sorry, but they don’t play thee  honesty game...

No time, for lost and found drones.

If you buy it, it becomes your soul, & personal responsibility, except flying in, out of bounds territory, then they step, on your toes. Grin

No, you have done your honourable duty. Your parents raised you right, congrats to them.

Proud of you, we all are...


RedHotPoker

If he/she registered the drone with the FAA it is ok to mark the registration # on the drone where the battery goes in such as I have done if it’s there you can find the owner via the FAA’s registration data base. Most people put the registration # outside but you do have the option to put the # inside the battery compartment.

Turn it into the police, with thee sd card... hehe

Sure post on Phantom 3 owners Facebook...



RedHotPoker

You are a really nice person bro! RESPECT! How you can find the owner soon

BTW welcome to the foum satalac!

Thanks I appreciate it. I was really impressed with the video one the one I found, I'm thinking of buying one myself, probably a Mavic.

So it looks like DJI is going to help out on this. I'll see if I get an email.

Hello and good day satalac. Thank you for reaching DJI Forum and for the information you have shared with us today. We do appreciate taking time bringing this query to us. We strongly recommend contacting your local police to report this. I believe your local police will contact FAA and from there they would be able to contact the owner. Thank you for your honesty and support.

In contact with the owner, getting shipping info together. So in the future if anyone finds a DJI drone, contract them with the serial number and they'll put the owner in contact with you. At least they did in this case. I appreciate all the help from the board.

satalac good work !! Respect for you !

satalac Posted at 12-17 07:51
So it looks like DJI is going to help out on this. I'll see if I get an email.

This surprised me, as they never followed up like this, in past recent history.

Not To my knowledge.



RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 12-17 13:29
This surprised me, as they never followed up like this, in past recent history.

Not To my knowledge.

It has to be a first.  

ALABAMA Posted at 12-17 13:40
It has to be a first.

Not that we know their business, but from the lack of info, it doesn’t surprise me, too much.

DJI are an upstanding company, and having them contact the rightful owner, if the finder is obviously honestly trying his very best to do the right thing.

Now he see the possibilities, from the video on-board and may become an avid eager rc pilot himself.
I think this has been a pretty awesome story. Glad it worked it.

Now I’m wondering if the pilot who lost the drone, is a member here, or perhaps over on PhantomPilots?


The future of more wonderous possibles. Haha


RedHotPoker

Nice to read something with a possible nice ending, Well done satalac for what you did and to DJI for doing there bit, It wouldn't work here in the UK no registration as yet.

Shipped it out to the owner yesterday. Definitely impressed with the customer service that DJI provided.

I hope the owner compensates you.  Most people would have just kept it.  Bless you for your honesty.

ALABAMA Posted at 12-19 09:11
I hope the owner compensates you.  Most people would have just kept it.  Bless you for your honesty.

Thanks. I'm not expecting compensation, and am completely ok with it. I know if I had been the owner, I would want someone to do the same. I had him print the shipping label and email it to me, that way no money had to be exchanged. Keep it simple.

satalac Posted at 12-19 09:30
Thanks. I'm not expecting compensation, and am completely ok with it. I know if I had been the owner, I would want someone to do the same. I had him print the shipping label and email it to me, that way no money had to be exchanged. Keep it simple.

Yes, you did the right thing, and as you said, we can only hope someone would do the same for us should we loose our drone.  Stresses the importance of having some ID on the drone, name, phone and/or email.  Makes things easier.  A missing drone would likely be found by someone with little knowledge on the craft or to contact DJI.  This fella was  very lucky you found it!

satalac Posted at 12-19 09:30
Thanks. I'm not expecting compensation, and am completely ok with it. I know if I had been the owner, I would want someone to do the same. I had him print the shipping label and email it to me, that way no money had to be exchanged. Keep it simple.

@DJI should give you a drone of your choice for being honest and doing the right thing which nowadays is hard to come by in most people it seems.

satalac Posted at 12-17 06:04
Thanks I appreciate it. I was really impressed with the video one the one I found, I'm thinking of buying one myself, probably a Mavic.

If you are thinking about buying, you may want to consider a "DJI Refurbished"