Drone Crash Causes Wildfire Near Flagstaff, AZ

[CharlieU]

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• CharlieU
• Mar 12, 2018

I lived in Flagstaff for 20 years and know the area well. Can anyone tell me how an electric powered drone approximately 16" X 16" could catch on fire by crashing in a grassy field?
Drone catches fire, ignites wildfire north of Flagstaff - Wildfire Today

 

[BigAl07]

Wildfire-in-arizona-720x720

• CharlieU
• Mar 12, 2018

I lived in Flagstaff for 20 years and know the area well. Can anyone tell me how an electric powered drone approximately 16" X 16" could catch on fire by crashing in a grassy field?
Drone catches fire, ignites wildfire north of Flagstaff - Wildfire Today

It's not out of the question for a battery to become damaged and short out during a crash. Our batteries have a LOT of stored energy and when released quickly produce a LOT of heat. I have a LiPo battery terminal "weld closed" and the resulting energy discharge literally melting the asphalt where i tossed the battery.