99 hours and 41 minutes in the air, then ........................... 100% pilot error, then ....................................... miracle save!

[Nickatnite]

Great save !!! She's a deep one (Seneca)at 618 feet. Tough fishin the bird outa there ! The rest of that p4's flyin days are all free ! Great ending.

 

[Ruckert]

I did not! Had to stand in the corner for 15 minutes!!

Been there

 

[The Famous]

Probably you have a Phantom 4 Pro, you didn't mentioned because you're in this forum.
Your case is almost perfect example why flying over the water can become an issue.
You said you were at 28 ft, that is about 9 m. The altitude was very likely measured by the US sensor.
You also said that the surface of the lake was like a glass. In such conditions the US sensor readings can be false. Maybe it measured some structures under the water or maybe the reflections of the clouds. This can be resolved by the log file.
I think you had saved the drone by instantly push it up before motors became submersed. By switching the remote off you triggered RTH.
What we learned here? Fly over the water a bit higher than you would fly over a flat land and be especially careful with calm 'like a glass' water. That's why it is safer to fly with VLOS. And in such situations a Wetsuit can save the situation.
I believe that you were very happy when the flight came to the end.

You are 100% right Andy9!

 

[horsepowerphoto]

Kinda close call with the seagull too LOL

 

[membry412]

Thanks for posting. I live on a river and fly up/down the river and your post is an educational tool.

 

[Avocet]

Live long enough and you'll see some stuff ...

 

[400 park]

[/QUO

Did you add the, "(Mod Removed Language)"? If

Probably you have a Phantom 4 Pro, you didn't mentioned because you're in this forum.
Your case is almost perfect example why flying over the water can become an issue.
You said you were at 28 ft, that is about 9 m. The altitude was very likely measured by the US sensor.
You also said that the surface of the lake was like a glass. In such conditions the US sensor readings can be false. Maybe it measured some structures under the water or maybe the reflections of the clouds. This can be resolved by the log file.
I think you had saved the drone by instantly push it up before motors became submersed. By switching the remote off you triggered RTH.
What we learned here? Fly over the water a bit higher than you would fly over a flat land and be especially careful with calm 'like a glass' water. That's why it is safer to fly with VLOS. And in such situations a Wetsuit can save the situation.
I believe that you were very happy when the flight came to the end.

very cool video. So fortunate not to loose it to the deep waters of Seneca lake. Very familiar to were you were flying. We live just over the hill on Lamoka Lake.
Very cool video and how fortunate you were to not loosening it to the deep waters of SenEva

 

[400 park]

Very cool video. So fortunate not to loose it to the deep waters of Senaca Lake. Very familiar with were you were flying. We live just over the hill on Lamoka lake.

 

[Basspig]

All I could say is I did not expect the splashdown when it appeared--it looked, based on reflections, as if the drone were still 20' above the water surface. An amazing illusion.
This underscores all the more why maintaining VLOS is necessary, because you can't always trust a remote camera view.

 

[roosta]

Amazing...and very lucky. That could've been a lot of money dropped into a lake!

RoOSTA

 

[jephoto]

I think I saw it kiss the ground on Landing, or was that you? Water must have been cold, it jumped when it got its feet wet. That was great! Thanks

Did the sensors kick in at the last second, or did you make a lucky stick move?

Lucky Stick move - he caught it just in time. Only dunked the camera & bottom or landing gear before his panic reaction kicked in & lifted off...
If the motors went under that would have been it.
But good save!!!

 

[loflyby]

I was flying over Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen, NY, videoing debris washed into the lake by a recent heavy rain. The lake was like a piece of glass! Beautiful cloud reflections and some low lying fog. Wanted to get low to go under some fog and fly to shore to see my friend's dock. Looked at the altimeter, 28 feet. Looked back at the screen and WATER!! It push the UP toggle so hard I thought I snapped it off! Looked out in the water and screamed ( ( Mod Removed Language )Looked back at the screen, black! Nothing! Set the controller on the hood of the truck and just shut my eyes thinking, "you idiot! It's gone!" For at least a minute I stood there. Shaking my head, I started to put the controller in the truck. Opened the door and then thought, "push the return home button". I set the controller on the seat and went to the front of the truck and leaned on the hood, thinking what am I going to do about getting another drone. About 30 seconds later, I hear the familiar noise of a drone! NO WAY!! It landed and I picked it up, soaking wet! Took it home, blew it out with air and set it in the sun. Took the lens cap off, it was steamed up. Then I took the card out and to my surprise the entire video was recorded! Later that day I fired up the drone. Turned Litchi on and there was the drone! Took off for a test flight and I am back!! I still don't believe it, but I have the video

!YouTube

Good for you and happy you have your drone back!!! If you happen to follow videographer Billy Kyle in YouTube you may find a similar event that happened to him while flying the Skydio 2. The common scenario for his event was calm crystal clear waters pretty much like yours. There's been a lot of arguments about sensors (light and obstacle) that get "confused" by the sky reflection on those types of waters.
Stay safe, fly safe and happy landings!!

Regards,

loflyby

 

[The Famous]

Good for you and happy you have your drone back!!! If you happen to follow videographer Billy Kyle in YouTube you may find a similar event that happened to him while flying the Skydio 2. The common scenario for his event was calm crystal clear waters pretty much like yours. There's been a lot of arguments about sensors (light and obstacle) that get "confused" by the sky reflection on those types of waters.
Stay safe, fly safe and happy landings!!

Regards,

loflyby

I will check him out! I think sensors were confused as was I

 

[Cliff 2020]

You should call that Miracle On the Lake

 

[Phoenix One]

Man that was intense.

 

[Ranger82]

Had the same thing happen but I did not come away with the awesome video. While I did not see it, my P4P2 took a swim. I lost connection over a lake. I thought it was lost and then heard a faint noise, looked up and it was coming down spewing water. Go it landed. Immediately cut power and pull battery with water coming out batter department. I did let it dry for a week and was able to crank it up. It flew normally but ultimately sent it back to DJI under Care Refresh. The did send pics and there was definite corrosion.They did send replacement. It did take a swim and came back home on its own. It was pilot error on my part. I lost situational awareness.