AAIB Bulletin: 3/2023 Record-only UAS investigations reviewed: December 2022 – January 2023

18 Aug 2022 MA Hanger 9 Ultra Stick Wymondham, Norfolk

The remote pilot was flying the model aircraft with an instructor when it veered off course, losing connection to the controller. Control could not be regained, and the aircraft struck the ground approximately 1.5 m from another person. There were no injuries.

9 Oct 2022 DJI M300 RTK Hastings, East Sussex

Whilst operating the 6.3 kg UA in a built-up area at night, a loud crack was heard, and the UA began to spin to the ground from a height of 9 m. The operator examined the wreckage after the event and suspected that a rotor blade had failed in flight.

12 Nov 2022 DJI Phantom 4 RTK Fox Milne, Buckinghamshire

During the descent to land the UA inverted and landed upside down causing damage to the camera and frame.

19 Dec 2022 DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced, Chertsey, Surrey

The UA was flying over a patch of fenced-off woodland 40 – 50 m away from and in full view of the remote pilot when there was a ‘Magnetic Interference’ warning on the controller. The pilot attempted to return the UA back to his location but it descended rapidly into the woodland.

25 Dec 2022 DJI M300 Matrice RTK Halesowen, West Midlands

The UA was returning to a secured landing site following a flight at night in windy conditions. The remote pilot misjudged the proximity of a tree to the UA’s flightpath and, having struck a branch of the tree, the UA fell to the ground and suffered substantial damage.

6 Jan 2023 DJI Spilsby, Lincolnshire

During the approach to land, the UA was blown off course by a gust of wind and struck a tree.

6 Jan 2023 DJI Mavic Wakefield, West Yorkshire
In a controlled area with no uninvolved persons nearby, the UA was launched before the system had acquired full satellite connectivity and hence had no GPS stabilisation. The pilot was unable to control the UA which suffered damage when it drifted into a 4 ft post near the takeoff point

10 Jan 2023 DJI Matrice 210 RTK Lythe, Northumberland
During a training flight, the remote pilot lost control of the UA, which hit a metal cage.

11 Jan 2023 DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual, Near Bridgwater, Somerset

The control link to the UA was lost. It continued to fly and was subsequently lost.

17 Jan 2023 Evolve Skymantis Eastbourne, East Sussex

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot observed a momentary ‘Yaw Alignment’ error displayed on the controller. The pilot was subsequently unable to control the UA which drifted into a nearby wall, fell to the ground and suffered extensive damage.