Hard Landing...Tweaked & Cracked the body!

[Gizmo3000]

Got a little overconfident flying tonight, headed towards a tree and let go, but the GPS didn't kick in in time and went into a tree, then the Phantom fell about 8ft to the ground, with one of the arms taking the brunt of it.

the Phantom seemed completely back to normal in the dark,
but one of the props was hitting the body, so thought I might have bent another prop.
but upon further inspection it was worse, much worse.

the top cover portion was slightly cracked and bend upwards.
- and the lower portion was slightly buckled as well.
took things apart, and it doesn't look so great.

any thoughts how screwed I am?

My only thoughts are perhaps I can apply some heat to the parts and perhaps, just perhaps, they'll flex and cool down back into place.
that, or I'll need a whole new body. (if DJI even plans to sell them?)
I kind of doubt there's a place I can send it to get fixed?? (not quite sure if I have the skills to tear down and re-assemble)

 

[Chris]

Man that sucks. When the day comes that I do that, I think I will just order a aftermarket frame and transfer my Phantom guts over. I plan to build my own quad over time anyhow so I may start ordering parts and get it ready. I just want to learn to fly efficiently before I do, at least the Phantom has all the important stuff tucked inside!

 

[Gizmo3000]

Yah,. I'm really bummed I can't fly this weekend, it's gunna be nice out!

On a good note, I contacted my dealer and they're sell a complete replacement shell for $65!
Looks like I'm gunna get to intimately know my Phantom's innards.
I'll just have to be careful not to lose any screws, but I'm pretty confident I can do it!

 

[Gizmo3000]

So while I await my new shell ..
i figured what the heck, may a well see what I can do in the meantime, ..

With a little heat applied from the kitchen stovetop, and she's good as.. well, at least she flies again!!

the top part didn't handle the heat so well, so I merely amputated the end.
the bottom part did ok, the motor mount holes are off, (was only able to use 3 screws), and now instead of the prop tilted inwards, it now tiles a bit outward.
The tricky part is that now the craft tends to seriously yaw in a counter clockwise direction.
I won't be flying the GoPro on it, but at least I can now continue to enjoy my Phantom until a new shell arrives