So I was flying my spark when I unexpectedly lost connection and now it's gone...I had it for less than 24 hours but had made several flights in the area and it was working great.  On my last flight it all of the sudden lost connection over a field and I could not find it.  My son(6) was chasing after it and said it just fell and it looked like it was in two pieces.  I contacted customer service and told them what happened (not knowing about the battery ejection problem) and they are saying since they can't determine what happened this is due to pilot error and will not replace it.  So far I have not been able to find any part of it after searching the field and nearby woods for many hours over several days.  I am very upset as I saved up for several months for this and now its just gone and I cannot afford another right now.   Can anyone help me?

Flight log:

https://www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/L7IPI0QBGICFHPA22FZT

Oh and here is the response I recieved from DJI;

"As we have explained in the previous email that there are many factors would lead to the disconnection. The flight record ended does not indicate the aircraft "fell apart and dropped"or has a problem "ejecting the battery". Different cases have different situations and the data analysis was carried out based on the actual situations case by case. In this flight, due to the interruption of the flight record, the main cause of the incident was not recorded. The aircraft shows no malfunction before the record ended, sorry that a replacement is not available in this case based on the current data. "

Case info:

CAS-3408742-G9B5B3

Have you checked the location in the "find my drone" function of the Go4 APP?

S-e-ven Posted at 8-20 07:32
Have you checked the location in the "find my drone" function of the Go4 APP?

Yes, It was disconnected and I searched the whole area trying to reconnect.  I was on my golf cart and at its last known location within about 45 seconds of the disconnect.

Codedog Posted at 8-20 07:35
Yes, It was disconnected and I searched the whole area trying to reconnect.  I was on my golf cart and at its last known location within about 45 seconds of the disconnect.

Then good luck!
Guess the speed (perhaps just wind speed has  blown it away, without RC control)?
Follow the direction and keep looking

Unlucky, I do not see a "HP recorded" in your log.
But still you were be able to fly in sport and over the 15ft VPS height.
But the no HP may get you something with DJI! The bird should have recorded a HP, at least when the App allowed to fly higher as 15 ft.
Try to open a case and let them analyze your flight record, anyway.
On the other side, the one or the other pilot in here may do that with yopur log you posted already.
wait and hope!

One more idea:
At 29 mph, in case the battery fell off, there would be a curve to expect, but probably not more as 20-30m from the last known location, till the spark would be down.
The battery even just closer to it.
I'd look closer to the treeline, that is about 15m, right?
Battery may have found the way to the ground, the spark can stick somewhere in the trees!
(in case they got separated!)

Hi, On behalf of DJI I extend my sincere apologies for the issues that you have experienced with us. We already forwarded this issue to the Designated Team for them to respond to your issue via email as soon as possible. Rest assured that this will be sorted out sooner and with ease. Appreciate your support and understanding.

S-e-ven Posted at 8-20 07:52
One more idea:
At 29 mph, in case the battery fell off, there would be a curve to expect, but probably not more as 20-30m from the last known location, till the spark would be down.
The battery even just closer to it.

I am going out again tonight, I have searched the treeline up and down but I would much rather find Sparky than go through all of this, its already been over a week.

Sorry to hear that your Sparky crashed and you can't locate it. Where did you purchase your drone? If DJI is not honoring the accident, you may be able to visit the Retailer where you purchased the drone and inform them of the problem to see if they'll honor the fly-away and crash? Just tell them the truth what happened since it sounds like you are still within the buyer's remorse policy they should take it back..

David Martin Graff Posted at 8-20 10:02
Sorry to hear that your Sparky crashed and you can't locate it. Where did you purchase your drone? If DJI is not honoring the accident, you may be able to visit the Retailer where you purchased the drone and inform them of the problem to see if they'll honor the fly-away and crash? Just tell them the truth what happened since it sounds like you are still within the buyer's remorse policy they should take it back..

Ya I was thinking about that, I just really want it back to use though...  It worked great before this and my friend has one and he says his has never done anything like it.

Ow. I think Seven is likely right. It should be within a few meters of where the GO program last knew of it.

sorry to hear of your drone there buddy i hope you find it and still working

Codedog Posted at 8-20 10:06
Ya I was thinking about that, I just really want it back to use though...  It worked great before this and my friend has one and he says his has never done anything like it.

Where did you buy it? From a retailer or private person?

David Martin Graff Posted at 8-20 11:01
Where did you buy it? From a retailer or private person?

Amazon third party seller which I believe is an authorized retailer.

Codedog Posted at 8-20 11:17
Amazon third party seller which I believe is an authorized retailer.

Amazon third party sellers likely will not accept the return it would have to be a physical store that has initiated an arms length transaction with you..

S-e-ven Posted at 8-20 07:42
Then good luck!
Guess the speed (perhaps just wind speed has  blown it away, without RC control)?
Follow the direction and keep looking

Not trying to sound negative here but I think not confirming home point recorded during takeoff would rather qualify as "pilot error".  Also the fact that within 12 sec of switching to Sports mode, the flight log abruptly stopped. So it can also be one of those very familiar "battery fell out" cases.

I feel sorry for you man, have you attempted another search and rescue? Perhaps a little time will clear your mind and start searching again.

nilanjan118 Posted at 8-20 16:43
Not trying to sound negative here but I think not confirming home point recorded during takeoff would rather qualify as "pilot error".  Also the fact that within 12 sec of switching to Sports mode, the flight log abruptly stopped. So it can also be one of those very familiar "battery fell out" cases.

But I did not see a HP recorded at all!
And usually that comes sometime in the log, before you can fly outside the limited vps mode.
That would be just a point of not coming back to the starting point.

And that with the battery was mentioned , yes:
"My son(6) was chasing after it and said it just fell and it looked like it was in two pieces"

That's why I wrote "In case it was"

It would be just easier, if he can find the bird.
And the altitude, plus the speed and location, it can really be, that it stucks somewhere in the trees. Even a bit behind the gras/tree line, fallen on/in to them.

The battery is heavy and small, the spark without batt "big" and lightweight.
Looking down for the grey batt and up for the eventually also just grey body is not a easy task.
A metal detector could help finding the battery, methinks.

nilanjan118 Posted at 8-20 16:43
Not trying to sound negative here but I think not confirming home point recorded during takeoff would rather qualify as "pilot error".  Also the fact that within 12 sec of switching to Sports mode, the flight log abruptly stopped. So it can also be one of those very familiar "battery fell out" cases.

I definitely set the home point though so I dunno...

S-e-ven Posted at 8-20 17:10
But I did not see a HP recorded at all!
And usually that comes sometime in the log, before you can fly outside the limited vps mode.
That would be just a point of not coming back to the starting point.

Yes I agree that finding the bird and then getting a proper diagnosis done will be the best thing from here. Looking at such a flight record which ends abruptly, we can only make guesses as to what would have happened.

Cody Arnold Posted at 8-20 17:12
I definitely set the home point though so I dunno...

Not trying to challenge you mate. Just saying what the flight record shows. You lost connection at barely 300m. I have had such an experience at >1000m. But since the home point was recorded properly, RTH was initiated and the AC flew back. I also gained connection within seconds of RTH kicking in.

nilanjan118 Posted at 8-20 20:47
Not trying to challenge you mate. Just saying what the flight record shows. You lost connection at barely 300m. I have had such an experience at >1000m. But since the home point was recorded properly, RTH was initiated and the AC flew back. I also gained connection within seconds of RTH kicking in.

Taking in account the kids saying, I don't think that the no HP was the problem.
Also looking at the fact, it happened in FCC country, the 300m shouldn't be a problem, either.
I see it just a second option, to look into, for DJI.
1: No HP set, but allowing to fly up and in sport: malfunction (in my eyes)
2: The loss of connection from on sec. to the other points  to a possible battery detachment

Actually another point, that I don't think we'll see another Spark: The position of the battery UNDER the bird ;-)

S-e-ven Posted at 8-20 21:53
Taking in account the kids saying, I don't think that the no HP was the problem.
Also looking at the fact, it happened in FCC country, the 300m shouldn't be a problem, either.
I see it just a second option, to look into, for DJI.

1: No HP set, but allowing to fly up and in sport: malfunction

Not sure what you mean by this. Is there a code inside the bird for this?
Or are you saying such an algorithm should be incorporated in the firmware to prevent such incidents and it is DJI's fault that there isn't one right now?

S-e-ven Posted at 8-20 21:53
Taking in account the kids saying, I don't think that the no HP was the problem.
Also looking at the fact, it happened in FCC country, the 300m shouldn't be a problem, either.
I see it just a second option, to look into, for DJI.

Hiya,

HP was recorded during start ; 41.83197000 / -84.95626700 ; that time 8 satelites but with bad reception, apparantly good enough to set a HP (as it is recorded into the file)
After takeoff just 1 sec into P-GPS, than into OPTI and a weird warning:  "To take off in non-P mode. toggle Flight Mode Switch to another mode and then toggle it back" ; its a SPARK....

At height 4.9 (baro) a warning "Maximum Flight Altitude Reached. Adjust altitude in MC Settings if required", this beacuse of flying in OPTI mode. (see manual)

After 14secs 7 sats and 2 bars for reception, this will cancel the height limit in OPTI, so SPARK can go higher than 5 meter. But than mode should switch to P-GPS, wich i did not this moment but after 13 seconds during gaining height. Guess beacuse shortly after cancel the height the GPS count dropped to 6. (once the limit is killed, it will not become active gain)
If GPS signals are weak and vision doesn`t work height is limited to 30 meters. But in this case Vison did work....strange to see that at height of 31.5 meters OPTI did change into P-GPS. Strange for me because is there a link to the 30 meter limit wich is described in the manual when the vision is not in use....

At the end, if the son says that he saw 2 'things' dropping out of the sky ; must be a seperation SPARK-BATTERY case.
cheers
JJB

nilanjan118 Posted at 8-20 22:41
1: No HP set, but allowing to fly up and in sport: malfunction

Not sure what you mean by this. Is there a code inside the bird for this?

As JJB* found out, the bird HAD a HP.
Why it is not shwoing up  in the linked flight record, like it does in others, who knows.
But no malfunction here, then!

To your question;

Without a HP recorded, your bird is limited by the VPS, the ground sensors.
You cant get over 15 ft, also, I think, Sport will not be able to use.

And you usually can see it: yellow  blinking lights on rear motor LEDs

JJB* Posted at 8-20 23:41
Hiya,

HP was recorded during start ; 41.83197000 / -84.95626700 ; that time 8 satelites but with bad reception, apparantly good enough to set a HP (as it is recorded into the file)

Thanks for the report to this flight.

I also think that a 6 years old is not making "two pieces" up.
So most likely the battery decided to fly its own path.

S-e-ven Posted at 8-21 00:14
As JJB* found out, the bird HAD a HP.
Why it is not shwoing up  in the linked flight record, like it does in others, who knows.
But no malfunction here, then!

Hi 7,

HP is in the flightlog, just open the csv and you will find it there.

When the drone does not have a good GPS (numbers and reception) it will not go into a P-GPS mode, fall back to OPTI or ATTI. OPTI only if the sensors (bottom and fwd) are within range and they receive good signals back.

So i will not link that to a HP recording as not always a message is shown in the app that a HP is recorded.

cheers
JJB

Just heard from DJI, they still refuse to replace it.  I guess I'm out of options unless I somehow find it.  I went out again last night to look the grass is very tall and the woods are so thick with thorns I went in pretty far but I still didn't find it.  

S-e-ven Posted at 8-21 00:14
As JJB* found out, the bird HAD a HP.
Why it is not shwoing up  in the linked flight record, like it does in others, who knows.
But no malfunction here, then!

Nice. That's something new to learn.

Cody Arnold Posted at 8-21 03:18
Just heard from DJI, they still refuse to replace it.  I guess I'm out of options unless I somehow find it.  I went out again last night to look the grass is very tall and the woods are so thick with thorns I went in pretty far but I still didn't find it.

Hi,

Mayby more info in the DAT file, look for FLY014.DAT on your mobile device.
File located in the MCDatFlightRecords, a sub map under Flightrecord.

cheers
JJB

Link to DAT file

JJB* Posted at 8-21 04:25
Hi,

Mayby more info in the DAT file, look for FLY014.DAT on your mobile device.

Codedog Posted at 8-21 04:38
Link to DAT file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Diojp5r2chMnUwMGYxOHNJd25KcUduZlVNejUwNHBBN2Nj/view?usp=sharing

The boy's observation supports the "battery fell out" theory.

Tentoes Posted at 8-21 05:37
The boy's observation supports the "battery fell out" theory.

i know !  but does DJI accept this??  nah...

Codedog Posted at 8-21 04:41
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Diojp5r2chMnUwMGYxOHNJd25KcUduZlVNejUwNHBBN2Nj/view?usp=sharing

Thanks, could not find any error indication in the DAT file (but i am not a real DAT specialist)

Drone cannot be far from the last position, must be within 50 meters from last known point, guess its bit to the right of the last flight path. On top of a tree ??

Hope you can find your Spark (another friend`s drone to fly overhead the tree tops?)

cheers
JJB

I am going back out tonight but I'm losing hope.  Also getting tired of taking to DJI, they refuse to do anything and take 2-4 days to respond to each email I send them.  Lesson learned DJI customer service failed me, super disappointing.

JJB* Posted at 8-21 05:40
i know !  but does DJI accept this??  nah...

DJI either doesn't believe me or just doesn't care.

Cody Arnold Posted at 8-21 15:14
DJI either doesn't believe me or just doesn't care.

I know you must be feeling really gutted right now for losing your Spark so early but there's nothing much anyone can do. DJI's modus operandi is - send the drone to them --> diagnosis --> repair/replacement. Depending upon their "diagnosis", you can hope something works in your favour, may be a discount for repairs and if you are very lucky, a free replacement. So good luck with the search.

Any further developments on your search?

Slick1215 Posted at 8-21 16:45
Any further developments on your search?

Still haven't found it

When you lose video feed, the drone still may respond to your controls.  When you lose feed the safest thing to do is gain altitude because it may drift if you are near something into something.  Increasing altitude makes sure it does not drift into something.  If you are touching the controls randomly like some people do, it will hit something.