Working in a wheat field last week, winds were 5-10, with gust, so I kept the drone low. I was impressed with how well the PP4 handled, and felt comfortable going to 200' for the last high overview shot. As I went into a hover around 200', the drone shut off, like a light switch, it suddenly became very quiet - except for the director standing over my shoulder who softly said "oh-ho....", and proceeded to very neatly drop straight down, perfectly upright. At about 100', and not due to any heroic pilot magic, it restarted. I immediately tried to save the day, attempting to pilot out of the freefall. The puff of dust about 300' away let me know I failed, and, gave us a crash site location. Camera and gimble toast, rear support legs bent. Drone checked out as good. After it's restart, even with me attempting to give it "...full throttle up", I don't think it slowed down, the director with me does. It all took place so quickly.
The dealer and various experienced drone users have no idea why it had a power failure, and are even more puzzled on the restart.
Drone repaired, I was prepping for another wheat field shoot, I inserted a battery into the PP4, and it immediately started up on it's own. Now I'm a little spooked. The battery I inserted has a 50% chance of being the same battery as the in flight incident one.
If it is somehow pilot error, I'm good with that (expensive) learning experience, just kind of concerned. It might as well have been a brick falling out of the sky, it would have done serious damage to property not to mention serious maybe even fatal injuries if it hit an individual.
Thoughts, ideas or suggestions?
The dealer and various experienced drone users have no idea why it had a power failure, and are even more puzzled on the restart.
Drone repaired, I was prepping for another wheat field shoot, I inserted a battery into the PP4, and it immediately started up on it's own. Now I'm a little spooked. The battery I inserted has a 50% chance of being the same battery as the in flight incident one.
If it is somehow pilot error, I'm good with that (expensive) learning experience, just kind of concerned. It might as well have been a brick falling out of the sky, it would have done serious damage to property not to mention serious maybe even fatal injuries if it hit an individual.
Thoughts, ideas or suggestions?