QAsUAS
lvl.1
Flight distance : 261362 ft
United States
Offline
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Hello all,
I am new to this forum and hoping that none of you have experienced what I am about to desribe, but if you have, please share as well.
Having owned several DJI drones and also just recently purchased an Osmo 2 for the real estate side of my business, I have always been a big fan of DJI's products. It started with my initial purchase and entry into the drone world, with the Phantom 3 Pro, then once I began to conside the possibilities of starting a drone business, I purchase an Inspire 1 Pro. Then when I decided to return to flying real airplanes, I decided to sell my Inspire 1. Prior to selling it, the prospective buyer and I took it for a test flight. The drone began behaving strangely and the buyer gave me the controller. I noticed the same unresponsiveness and attempted to RTH. Long story short the drone was too close to trees on its descent dring RTH and every time I tried to correct the angle of the descent, the drone took off in the opposite direction. Eventually the battery went critical and the Inspire landed in the trees, never to be found. I was out $3500 as that was what the buyer was going to pay. Drone was originally purchased for around 4K.
Fast forward a year or so....I finish transitioning back into an airline job and decide to start my drone business back up on a part time basis. I had sold the P3 before purchasing the Inspire, so I needed a new drone. Decided on the P4P and was very impressed with it from the start. So I am contracted to conduct mapping of a construction site on a monthly basis. I was using the P4P coupled with DJI GS PRO app. Towards the end of the mapping mission, I had about 24% battery (3.7 volts per cell approx), so I began the approach back to the landing pad. At about 5-6 feet above the pad, the drone stopped descending, hovered for a second or 2, then began a RTH sequence. It elevated straight up and then flew horizontally behind my position. When I attempted to regain control, it descended into power lines and crashed at high speed.
I sent the drone to DJI for repair and was quoted $550 to repair it. Since it is still under warranty, I requested a data analysis and was told that the it woul dnot be covered under warranty, since I took control and flew it into power lines, resulting in the crash. What the analysis team did not do was read my description of the evnets leading up to the collision and only evaluated the seconds leading up to the collision. When I brought this up, I was told that a more detailed review of the flight data would be done, if I would submit the full flight records from the day. I did so and then a few days later this was the explanation I received, and is a direct quote from the email:
"This is just a follow up.
The team has responded. Regretfully, the unit will not be covered by warranty as per the analysis team.
For the RC antenna placement, the RC was directly pointing at the drone, causing it to lose signal then the drone started the RTH command. (Emphasis mine)
After the drone got out of the RC antenna's dead zone, it reconnected and was controlled by the pilot into power line leading to crash.
The final decision of the team is no warranty.
We hope for your kind understanding on this.
Should you have any further questions or clarifications, please don't hesitate to contact us back. We would be glad to assist you."
This explanation makes no sense as I have always pointed the remote towards the drone when flying, thats what you are supposed to do!! I have been flying RC airplanes and running RC cars for years and have never had a vehicle lose signal when the RC is pointed at it. If the antennas are pointed out, then there would be a dead zone, but with the antenna points aimed up and flat sides of the antennas facing the drone, there should be no loss of signal. This explanation actually requires warranty service, since this was not my fault. THe antenna were positioned according to the DJI manual.....
Excerpt from DJI Manual
Has anyone ever experienced this type of issue? I explained to the supervisor I spoke to on the phone, that this is a liability issue for my business. The aircraft should not lose signal that easily, especially if the antennas are positioned properly. He claimed that he would have a more detailed analysis done, but I have no faith in the analysis department at this point. It is my belief that they are paid to deny warranty claims no matter what the evidence to the contrary. DJI needs to make this right and I am still hoping that they will do so. Any advice or similar issues are wlecome. Thanks everyone! HOPING TO REMAIN A LOYAL DJI CUSTOMER!!!
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