AAIB investigation to DJI Matrice 210, (UAS, registration n/a) 19 January 2019

Electronic Speed Controller failure, Clevedon, Somerset, 19 January 2019.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 9 January 2020

• Category: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 19 January 2019
• Aircraft type: DJI Matrice 210
• Location: Clevedon, Somerset
• Registration: n/a

Summary:

The DJI Matrice 210 quadcopter small unmanned aircraft (SUA) was conducting a check flight to test, among other things, a camera for water intrusion following a flight the previous day. With the batteries fully charged the aircraft took off and after a successful systems check was flown to a position 500 m North of the takeoff site where it ascended to a height of 120 m (~390 ft) agl. The visibility was good, wind steady at 16 mph and light drizzle. The aircraft then hovered for approximately five minutes whilst conducting the intended checks before returning towards the takeoff and landing site (TOLS). When the aircraft was about 360 m from the TOLS it fell vertically to the ground, where it landed in an empty field. The aircraft was destroyed on impact.

Recorded data from the aircraft was analysed by the manufacturer who determined that the No 2 (front left) electronic speed controller had failed, likely as a result of water ingress.

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DJI Matrice 210, UAS registration n/a 190119 01-20

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 9 January 2020