UAV, manoeuvring, Poole Dorset UK, 2020

UAV, manoeuvring, Poole Dorset UK, 2020

Summary

On 19 November 2020, the police operator of a DJI Matrice M210 UA lost control of it over Poole when it drifted beyond Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) and communication ceased. It was subsequently damaged when colliding with a house in autoland mode. The Investigation found that a partial power failure had followed battery disconnection with its consequences not adequately communicated to the pilot. It faulted both the applicable UA User Manual content and the absence of sufficient UA status and detected wind information to the pilot. A failure to properly define VLOS was identified but not considered directly causal.

Description

On 19 November 2020, control of a DJI Matrice M210 UA being flown operationally by the Police over the city of Poole was lost when it drifted beyond visual line of sight (VLOS) in day VMC and communication was lost. The UA was subsequently found to have crashed into a house in autoland mode and sustained damage. Although no personal injury was involved, the accident outcome was considered to indicate that such a risk existed in the event of loss of control over a populated area. 

Investigation

A Field Investigation into the Accident was carried out by the UK AAIB. The operator provided the data log files from both the master controller and the aircraft to the Investigation as well as to the manufacturer.  

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