DJI F550 Hexacopter crash after flight above the clouds

--- PLEASE READ ALL INFO BELOW BEFORE POSTING! ---

I planned to perform a short GPS controlled high altitude flight, going straight up, and then straight down again.

When initating the descent, something did not work out as expected, and less than ten minutes later the hexacopter crashed because the failed descent attempts had drained the battery.

Technical explanation to what actually happened:

The GPS mode prioritized staying in place over descending. The winds were so strong that the engines had to work hard to keep the multirotor in place. When I told the multirotor to descend it basically said "I'm afraid I can't do that, because you told me to stay in this position, and if I slow down the motors to descend, I would also start moving sideways with the wind". The solution was to disengage the GPS mode.

Important background information:

This video depicts a very dangerous situation that could have ended up much worse than it actually did.

I was very lucky not to cause any damage on the ground to either living beings or property.

I am not proud of this particular flight, and my main reason for putting the video on YouTube is to inform others and hopefully help them avoid making the same mistake(s) I did.

My arguments for performing a high altitude flight at all were as follows:
- No airplanes in this area ever fly as low as I did in the video
- There is generally not much air traffic in this area at all
- I checked with flightradar24.com before flying
- Military, police, and emergency flights are virtually non-existant in this area
- The multirotor was supposed to go straight up and straight down again

Knowing all of this, I still realize it was a mistake flying that high, especially on this particular occasion. The wind on the ground was not very strong, but higher up, the wind was so strong that the hexacopter had to struggle to stay in position. When I started descending, the hexacopter did not seem to respond to my command, and the only way to make it respond was to disconnect the GPS mode. It then started descending, but it also started moving away with the wind.

Facts to be noted before commenting on the video:

I DO NOT PERFORM HIGH ALTITUDE FLIGHTS ANYMORE, NOR DO I FLY OVER POPULATED AREAS. Hence, it is unnecessary to ask me to stop flying like I did in the video, since it definitely won't happen again anyway. The crash was a harsh wakeup call that totally made me rethink my attitude towards multirotor flying, and I realize now that high altitude flights and flights over populated areas are way too risky and dangerous.

THE MULTIROTOR DID NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE ON THE GROUND, TO EITHER PEOPLE, ANIMALS, OR PROPERTY. Having said this, I am fully aware that something disastrous could have happened, and there is no need to keep reminding me about that fact.

I WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE MULTIROTOR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY PERFORM A CONTROLLED LANDING IF THE BATTERY LEVEL REACHED ITS SPECIFIED MINIMUM. After reading the documentation, I felt reassured knowing that I had specified two battery level limits, where the second (lowest) limit, if reached, would initiate a forced automatic landing. Apparently this never happened, so this was either a misunderstanding on my behalf, or unclear documentation, or a combination of both.

Also, I do not live in the US, so the FAA will probably not be too interested in this flight.

My advice to any and all multirotor flyers out there: Never ever take any unnecessary risks. It is never worth it. I got away with it this time, but I could as well have ended up hurting or even killing someone on the ground.

00:00 - Ascent
01:09 - Through the clouds
02:20 - Above the clouds
03:10 - Problems start
04:07 - GPS disconnect
04:16 - Slow descent
05:18 - Return To Home activated
06:20 - Manual descent
07:47 - Below the clouds
08:05 - Batteries almost depleted
08:44 - Batteries die
09:12 - Aftermath
09:41 - Crash in slowmotion

Equipment:
- Frame: DJI F550
- Gyro: DJI Naza v2 with GPS
- Gimbal: DJI Zenmuse H3-2D
- Camera: GoPro Hero3, Black Edition
- Radio: Futaba T14SG with receiver R7008SB
- Battery: Li-Po 4S (14.8V), 6200 mAh
- Motors: Stock F550 (DJI 2212/920)
- Esc: Stock F550 (DJI ESC 30 amps OPTO)
- Propellers: Stock DJI 10"

By: Stefan Ekstam
Title: DJI F550 Hexacopter crash after flight above the clouds
Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfxdeRx2fLA

Here are the 3 most popular drones on Amazon in 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best drone for photography?

Drones are a fascinating technology that can be used in many ways. They can be used to take aerial photos, make movies, or even deliver packages. But what makes drones such useful tool? Well, there are two main reasons why drones are so popular now. They can be used in so many different ways. There are thousands of ways to use drones. They can be used for just about any task you might use a regular camera for. Second, they are extremely easy to operate. You already know how easy it is to fly quadcopters if you've flown one before.

Amazing images are another reason drones are so useful. Amazing photos can be captured by drones in places you would not normally visit. These include remote locations where you may be exposed to danger.

Drones are simple to use, and anyone can quickly learn to fly one. Once you master the basics, you can use your drone to shoot incredible photos wherever you may be. If you're interested in better photos, take a look at our drone range.

How much money do drone photographers make?

A photographer could make more or less than $10k depending upon how long he/she is flying for and where he/she takes photos. Shooting in remote areas, such national parks or forests can bring you upwards to $20-30 an hour.

Retail workers make $15-25 an hour, so you could easily earn $50-$75 flying drones. There are other opportunities to make more. Many drone pilots work for companies that require them fly across the country and even internationally.

You can charge anywhere from $100 to $300 per flight, depending on the time you spend flying and the distance you cover. It can quickly add up, but if your passion is photography and flying, this may be worth it.

What are the disadvantages of drone photography?

Drone photography can be a fun way to capture images or video. However, there are some downsides to flying small aircraft.

The main disadvantage to flying drones is their high cost. It all depends on what type of drone you choose. You could end up spending hundreds of thousands or even thousands.

Drone flying requires certification and training. You'll need to spend time and money learning how to safely operate them.

Safety is another problem. Drones are dangerous due to their constant maintenance and repair. A drone that is not controlled properly can cause serious injury to someone or damage property.

You might find yourself spending more time controlling a drone that actually shooting photos or filming. A drone can be difficult to fly because of limited airspace.

You may be restricted by local governments as to where your unmanned aerial vehicle can fly. You can't fly over 400 feet or within 5 miles of stadiums or hospitals, schools, prisons or other military bases, as well as nuclear power plants and dams.

Finally, drones aren't for everyone. Flying these machines is not for everyone. Some fear they might fall or crash out of the sky. Others are concerned that they may accidentally hit someone or something else.

If you are not confident flying a drone, you can stick with traditional aerial photography methods and videography instead.

Which time of the day is best to take drone photos?

The drone could capture aerial photos during sunrise and dusk hours, when there isn’t much activity on earth.

Drones are great for taking beautiful photos of landscapes as well as the sky. Some drones cannot fly at night and you may miss amazing views.

If you want to make sure that you capture all the photo opportunities, fly during sunset and sunrise hours. Because there are fewer cars and more people on the roads, these times offer stunning opportunities for photos of nature.

Also, you'll find yourself shooting at lower light levels. This makes it easier to capture images without worrying about overexposing them.

You won't need to contend with strong winds, rain or snow. All these factors make daylight ideal for taking photos with a drone.

If you are looking for night scenes to capture, then flying at night is a good option. This will give you an unrivalled view of the cityscape.

Statistics

• Homes with aerial images sold 68% faster than homes with standard images. (alexdronephotography.com)
• A grey card is just a piece of thick paper that is a specific shade of grey (18%), which will be the foundation on which we choose our color temperature. (dronegenuity.com)
• Regional & Super Regional Centers pricing per center (400,000+ sq ft) PLACE ORDER (dronebase.com)
• Here's proof: according to an analysis of FAA drone registration numbers by drone market research and data group Drone Industry Insights, DJI had a 76.8% market share in the U.S. (thedronegirl.com)
• Again, no stabilization is applied, and the 50% throttle stick position cuts the power to the motors. (photographypro.com)

External Links

blog.dronebase.com

• Is aerial drone photography right for my commercial building?


• 4 Ways Drone Photographic Can Make New Home Buyers more Comfortable

youtube.com

• YouTube - Mr. CAMPS / Drone Camps RC – YouTube

How To

How to Take Great Drone Photos: Tips for Beginners

Tips for taking great drone photos:

1. You must ensure that you have enough space for your drone to fly safely. It should be kept away from trees and power lines.
2. Before you fly, ensure you know exactly where you are! Drone piloting can lead to a lot of confusion. It's easy to get lost when flying drones.
3. Remember to be safe when you fly! Keep your drone close to your body to keep an eye on what's happening. Avoid flying at night or in poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain.
4. Bring extra batteries if you plan to do long flights. Keep spare batteries on hand in case you need them. This ensures that you never run out of battery power mid-flight.
5. Use top quality lenses. The clearer the image, the higher the resolution. The image will be blurred by a camera lens that has a low number of pixels, such as the ones found on most smartphones.
6. Start small. Start small with your first video. After feeling confident with these, you can go on to making longer videos.
7. Avoid using your drone indoors. Drones cannot be used indoors. They can cause damage and destruction to furniture and walls.
8. Practice makes perfect! Try out different things using your drone. Take it with you to capture different angles of the scene. Fly outside to practice your flying skills.
9. You can be creative! Although you might think that you must follow the rules to create great drone images, there are no rules about photography.
10. Learn more information about your camera settings. Cameras have advanced features that are available today. These settings can improve the quality of your photos.
11. Be patient! Sometimes it takes patience, even though you want to go the fastest route.
12. Have fun. Remember why you bought your drone in the first place. You can enjoy flying your drone.
13. Share your work! Post your best shots to social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Let other people know how much fun they had with them!
14. Keep learning! Read books and magazines about photography. You can also watch tutorials online. 15. Stay safe! Before you head off into the sky, check all safety measures. You must ensure that your drone's battery is charged up and that its landing gear is working properly. Be sure to follow all FAA regulations.
15. Find your style After you've mastered the basics, you'll have developed your unique style. Experiment with different techniques and styles until you find one that works.
16. Use apps! Many free photo editing applications are available for download on your smartphone. These apps will help you enhance your photos.
17. Take notes! It can be helpful to keep track of what you've learned in this article so that you can remember it. You can write down the most important points in a journal or notebook.