LOST PHAMTON while Flying 1st. time with fat shark

[historymaker06]

On Saturday, i lost my Phantom 1 with Zenmuse and GoPro Hero 3 while flying my 1. st time FPV with Fat Shark goggles.
I was alone. I went into a park, wanted to fly low and learn the basic.
The wind drifted it away. I put on my goggles and i was in awe to see footage for the first time while flying FPV.
When i took off my goggles i couldn't see my phantom. I panic, trying to get it back home. Everything looks the same from on top.
I try to get my orientation back. Get it back down. The phantom was basically flying itself. I still couldn't see it and there was just 3 min battery life left. I cut off the remote to have it back back SAFE HOME. I waited, it didn't return back home. I put back on the goggles and saw that my phantom was flying towards a basket ball rim. Then it when black.
Any ideas what may have happen up there?

<a href="http://s281.photobucket.com/user/historymaker06/media/missingphantomflyer_zps20db1b71.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk226/historymaker06/missingphantomflyer_zps20db1b71.jpg" border="0" alt="Lost Phantom photo missingphantomflyer_zps20db1b71.jpg"/></a>

 

[historymaker06]

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk22 ... db1b71.jpg

 

[Seahorse]

Going to last Home location?

 

[historymaker06]

What do you mean?

 

[socman]

if it was flying its own, sounds like it was doing the fail-safe method of flying back to its "home" position...or the last location it has saved in memory. You set the "home" position each time you start up....assuming you allow the phantom to go through its entire startup process (gathering gps signals/ect). You know its locked in based on how the LED's flash. If you are unsure what I mean by all this, then i have a bad feeling you took off before it was fully locked in. In that case, it could be flying to a previously saved "home" position....which who knows where that could be.

sorry to hear about your loss....hope you find it!

 

[historymaker06]

Hi Socmen ,

I didn't check the startup lights before flying. I was so excited about flying FPV that i total forgot to check the lights.
But i waited 5- 8 mins before taking for, because the gimbal was hanging loose and i didn't hit the record button from the GoPro.
So, i waited patiently, till it did it's start up again, after i disconnected the battery and re-installed it.
I assume that i had green lights, because i waited 5- 8 mins (2x). But i am not sure, because i didn't check.
Once up there, it just drifted with the wind.
And when i turn off the remote, i thought it will return, but didn;t. Maybe it tried to return Home and the battery just died ? IDK.
It's just such a lost. I look all over for it for the last 6 days. It's gone. I am depress.

I think it just had also just 2 mins battery life left when i turn it off.

 

[AlTiTuDe06]

Have you used it in any other locations in the past that you can check?? Maybe previously saved home location?

Although im not exactly sure if the phantom saves previous locations like that... Just a suggestion....

 

[historymaker06]

Last time i flew my phantom was in Hollywood, that is 30mins away from here i live.
I hope it didn't try to fly over there.
Also i have a phone # on my phantom including my email.
So, if it crash some where public, i should have gotten a call by now.
But nothing. ;-( I wish i had put a tracker on it.

 

[Seahorse]

Search from where you lost it in the direction of Hollywood and/or hope someone finds it and gives you a call. Good luck

 

[LeoS]

Any updates?

How long have you owned the phantom before installing the fpv?

 

[historymaker06]

A year. I got it last year at NAB in Las Vegas.
I am a very good and skillful pilot.
It looks like I need to get a new one my phantom didn't show up yet.

 

[LeoS]

A year. I got it last year at NAB in Las Vegas.
I am a very good and skillful pilot.
It looks like I need to get a new one my phantom didn't show up yet.

That sucks

Maybe you can use your new one to scout for your lost phantom, if it's still out there.

 

[Big Ben]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Try to find another Phantom owner in your neighbourhood who can make some flights in the area you flew observing from above. Maybe that way he/you can see basketball rims giving you a clue where to look. If it's still lying where it landed he/you might even be able to see it.

 

[historymaker06]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. I just don't know any phantom owners in LA.
I filed a lost claim with my insurance as well. I got a police report and had to submit everything.
I hope they will sattle the claim and I can replace my old phantom, then I can look for my old one.

Does anyone knows about a list/ directory with phantom owners in CA?

 

[OI Photography]

Does anyone knows about a list/ directory with phantom owners in CA?

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2494

 

[FangsCPO]

I filed a lost claim with my insurance as well. I got a police report and had to submit everything.
I hope they will sattle the claim and I can replace my old phantom, then I can look for my old one.

What insurance policy covers lost personal property? What is your deductible?

The homeowners/renters insurance policies that I am familiar with cover lost personal property due to theft, fire, vandalism, etc. None of the typical prerequisites for a covered loss seem to apply in your case (pilot error).

I really don't see this happening because if that was the case, think of how may RC Car folks that crash and burn their rigs would be filing claims but please prove me wrong. I'd be very happy if this worked out for you. Good Luck!!

 

[750r]

Not to sound negative but you said last thing you seen was a basketball rim someone seen it and took it probably kids playing . If your info was on it and still have not got a call it is gone . They just found a $1200+ toy . I hope for the best for you .
GL!

 

[historymaker06]

@ OI Photography, thank you for the link.
@ spanktimonious i have student insurance coverage. Deducible $25.
@ 750r I have lost my phantom once in a desert and it got returned to me.

Here are the videos.

How i lost my phantom, while getting pick up shots in a Ghost town 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShkJw6yKtBE


And here the Miracle,
How the cop and his wife finds it and returns it to me and it's still working after 3 days in the desert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE6vXzSfSVA

 

[fcat]

I have home contents insurance that covers personal possessions while away from home, its nothing out or the norm, usually an optional extra for a small fee on most insurance policies.I'm covered upto £2500($4000) per item with a £50 deductible. might be different in the US though.

 

[LeoS]

How i lost my phantom, while getting pick up shots in a Ghost town 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShkJw6yKtBE

I don't know what to say.. within 30 seconds you mentioned:

- I lost my orientation
- Almost out of sight, but I'm trying to get it back
- The wind was pushing my Phantom
- It will not respond to my control
- I panic

Questions:
- Were you even flying GPS\IOC mode?
- There doesn't seem to be much wind on the ground, you were not flying that high and it was a pretty open space. Were you sure it was the wind and not your disorientation that pushed the Phantom away?
- Why turn on the remote (and try to regain control) if you can't even see the Phantom? That will stop it trying to go home.

Lastly... why did you use another phone to capture this video off a macbook??