New Phantom 3 Advanced (new motors and shell) CRACKS after only 16 flights

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Hi,

I’m a new member in the forum and have been reading it for a few months learning a lot from you before buying my P3A and watching tons of Youtube videos.

I just bought a brand new DJI Phantom 3 Advanced around 2 weeks ago. As you can see in the image attached I have only done a total of 16 flights, with 4 hours of flight time and 40 KM distance with zero issues. But now after my last flight I have detected 2 cracks in the bottom of the rear left arm next to screws, please see the images. My P3A has the new motors and I think the new shell also with the additional reinforcements below the motors (I looked through the arms with a flashlight from a tip in another thread). Please look at the image to confirm. I thought from what I read in other threads that this issue was fixed in the new version with the new shell and motors? Apparently not!

At the moment I’m on vacation which is why I bought it to film and take pictures. I have not crashed and have only landed by catching it with my hand in the air. Also it is summer right now and have been flying near the beach in perfect weather. Aside from this I haven’t had any problems with it and have been enjoying it very much. Meanwhile I have put some tape over the cracks and will continue to use it in my vacation for a few more flights.

To be honest I am a little mad to see damage after such short use and spending $1,500 USD for it (and a little more for an extra battery and RC neck hook). As you can tell where I live in South America import taxes are very high so that’s why it’s so expensive.
1 dji go.jpg
3 phantom 3 shell.JPG
2 phantom cracks.JPG


I need your help to figure out what I should do next to fix it.

I don’t think it will be an option to send it to DJI to fix since it will be very expensive to ship and I might have to pay import taxes again when it comes back to me (customs is a big problem in this country!!!). I imagine I will have to send it to a repair center in USA? Do you guys know if there is a repair center closer to me in South America? When I'm back home I will talk to the shop I bought it from and maybe they can advice me regarding doing a warranty claim with DJI.

Another option I'm considering is maybe the shop can replace the shell for me? But if they open it will I lose the DJI warranty in case something else more expensive brakes later on or if it crashes due to a DJI problem? Is there another way to fix the cracks now that they are small maybe use superglue or something else on the outside to prevent them from getting worse? Will this void the warranty if the shop does it for me?

Also should I now send an email directly to DJI and see what they say? I don't think they will cover all expenses of sending it to another country, etc? Maybe they can send me the shell and approve the shop to fix it and keep the warranty?

Thanks a lot for your help and comments!
 
Last edited:
Blimey!!! Fist thing I would do is take it too wear you bought it...I just did that, and they exchange it straight away.


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**** sorry to hear, that really sucks :(

It seems to be a common problem, but may I just ask when you were traveling with it... Where did you keep it? Some kind of case? I'm not blaming you for the cracks... I genuinely want to know because I'm traveling soon with my Phantom and I'm afraid of maybe damaging it somehow...

But yeah, returning it for warranty and they should take it back straight away... You have flight logs and everything.
 
I would mail DJI. I had a problem with my camera and DJI replied within 2 days confirming it was faulty. You may not need to send anything to them, it really depends on whether they want to see the P3A. They might send a new shell? No harm in asking anyway.
 
Thanks a lot for your replies. I did not get a case for now, I am using the original box that it came with. On the plane I put the box in my carry on trolley.


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By the way no problems at the airports, they didn't even ask me once what I was carrying or make me open the bag. I took the batteries in my carry on and only put the propellers in the checked bagagge.


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Hi, i am from argentina and i've had the exact same problem with my phantom 3 advanced, I contacted DJI telling them about the customs in my country, and asking them if they could send me the replacement shell, but they said no, and suggested me to speak with a local dealer, here there are quite a few and they are all in Buenos Aires, maybe we could talk with DJI both and convince them to send us the piece, private message me so we can talk about it
Saludos.
 
Where did you buy the aircraft? You should take it back to your retailers and get them to sort out the issues. We are fortunate in the UK as the customer is protected by strong retail sales laws. I know this doesn't help you in anyway, but it must be the (authorised?) retailer you purchased from who should get this sorted for you....
 
I'm seeing that most of the cracks are on rear motor arms. I also noticed that it is the heaviest arm thus motor has to work hardest to keep balance. This may be a coincidence but 2 plus 2 looks 4 to me.
 
Is backing off the screws still the recommended cure for this problem? Sorry this happened to you. I just sent back my P3P because I had the old shell. Looks like it doesn't matter if it's the new or old shell, this just simply sucks.
 
I think its under $60 U.S. to buy the replacement body. It's a quick option if you wish to fix it yourself and be flying again in no time.
 
I live in Uruguay and I have a cracked P3A shell, so please post updates when you hear from DJI.
Good luck.
 
Hmm weird I've had mine 4 weeks done 39 flights 413000 feet /78miles some in very high wind and I don't have a single crack.
Saying that I'm taking mine back to my dealer tomorrow for a new one cos my camera refuses to take a stills picture that's in focus.video is OK though ???
 
Yep...cracks seem common, but I never noticed any until after a crash. I am not sure the crash did it, but I reinforced the cracks with some JB Weld two part Epoxy and I am sure it is now likely stronger than new.


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For the people in Argentina, I e-mailed rconline.com.ar (they are in Buenos Aires) and they said that they have the new shell and they can swap the shell (for a fee obviously). It beats sending it in to DJI.
 

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