Independent report

AAIB Record-only UAS investigations reviewed: February - March 2021

Published 1 December 2021

Event Date	Aircraft Type	Location	Record Only Occurrence Text
31 Aug 2020	UAS DJI Matrice 210 V1	Bath, Somerset	The UA was at about 6 m agl. Without warning it tilted forwards and dropped to the ground damaging the blades and the arms. It was not clear what the cause was, although the operator suspected one of the motors had failed.
09 Dec 2020	UAS DJI Inspire 2	Oswestry, Shropshire	The pilot misjudged the position of the UA and it collided into a hill.
12 Jan 2021	UAS DJI Mavic Pro 2	Dewsbury, West Yorkshire	The UA was being flown over open ground when it struck a bird. The UA fell to the ground damaging the rotor arms.
23 Jan 2021	UAS Bumblebee	Roundway Down, nr Devizes, Wiltshire	The UAS was being flown using First Person View (FPV) goggles with a spotter. Connection with the UA was lost at 50 m range and the UA descended into a misty valley. The UA was found several days later.
01 Feb 2021	UAS Mavic 2 Dual Enterprise	Northwitch, Cheshire	UA made an uncommanded response and collided with a bridge. The UA fell to the ground.
02 Feb 2021	UAS DJI Phantom III Professional	Near Ropley, Hampshire	Two minutes after takeoff, and without warning, the aircraft fell to the ground from a height of 25 m. The operator reported that the accident had occurred because one of the propellers had detached in-flight.
12 Feb 2021	UAS Parrot Anafi	Bath, Somerset	Control of the UAS was lost and it flew away for 150 m and dropped to the ground.
16 Feb 2021	UAS DJI Enterprise Mavic Dual	Longford Park, Coventry, West Midlands	While the UA was descending before landing, the operator misjudged the height of some trees and the UAS struck the tree canopy.
05 Mar 2021	UAS DJI Phantom 4 V2.0	Near Sizewell, Suffolk	During a coastal survey, the UA took off and was climbing to a height of 300 ft. At approximately 280 ft, it banked, fell to the ground and was substantially damaged.
09 Mar 2021	UAS DJI Phantom 4	Whatley Quarry, Somerset	The UA lost power and fell approximately 40 m. It suffered extensive damage.
15 Mar 2021	UAS Intel Falcon 8+	Petty Pool Farm, Cheshire	The pilot was flying the UA in preparation for a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) practical assessment. During a 45° ascent manoeuvre the UA became lodged within a tree at approximately 20 m above ground level. The UA fell to the ground about 20 minutes after the collision.
17 Mar 2021	UAS DJI Matrice 600 Pro	Silvertown Tunnel, Greenwich	The pilot flew the UA to avoid a bird. The UA struck a light fixture which caused the UA to tip, rotate and strike the ground. It came to rest on the ground within the safety zone.
20 Mar 2021	UAS DJI Phantom	Altrincham, Cheshire	The UA struck a garden hedge and fell to the ground. The outer casing was significantly damaged.
01 Apr 2021	UAS DJI Matrice 300RTK	West End, Surrey	The UA was being operated at approximately 60 m agl at night. There was a loud bang and the UA fell to the ground. The operator believed the UA was struck by a bird.