Good bye to my #2 Phantom............

[clarker11]

This seems like a very similar scenario that I just recently had. Thankfully instead of mine disappearing, it took off straight into a tree and I was able to recover it. I was flying mine for around 7-8 min and it started to act a little funky in a still hover (drifting more than normal with no wind) in Atti mode. I started flying it toward myself and it just kept accelerating. I managed to regain control for a split second only to have it take off full speed the opposite direction and into a tree. I haven't flown it since and am now scared to take it out. If it weren't for that one tall tree, she would have gone bye bye. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[lgeist]

Perhaps one way to periodically test the strength and integrity of the receiver and transmitter would be a pre-flight check like this:

1) Find a long, straight, open road with no trees or obstacles.
2) Have one person with a phone stand next your Phantom (or better yet, holding it) with motors stopped.
3) Drive within line-of-site with transmitter to specific intervals (1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 3/4 mile, etc) and try to start/stop the motors while communicating with the other person by phone.
4) Note the distance at which you can no longer start/stop the motors.

This may not accomplish much, but on the other hand if you notice a significant change in communication range from one check to another, then perhaps that could be an indication that something is going bad or an antenna is coming loose.

Thoughts?