- Final Edit: DJI did confirm via email that there is a bug in the battery. They approved return via email to me which I forwarded to the retailer, Koozam. I returned the defective and damaged product and was notified that my money had been returned by way of credit to my card the next morning.
Koozam, Inc. was very responsive to all emails and never ignored any of them. The most concerning aspect of this incident aside from the potential liability claims, was having to rely upon DJI to respond. In the end, DJI stood behind the product as did the retailer and I have to say that it was handled appropriately.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
I've been flying a Phantom 1 for a few months and hundreds of incident free flights. No problems ever.
I took off on my maiden voyage with the Phantom 2 today and about 10 minutes into the flight and at about 60 feet in the air above asphalt, for no reason at all that I can determine, the Phantom just stopped running. No motors no lights no nothing. Obviously once it hit the asphalt, it was destroyed.
The battery was at 47% when this occurred and although the battery frame is broken, the lights still show half full.
Pictures are posted here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 724&type=3
I'd say be careful, but I'm not sure what could possibly be done to avoid this type of occurrence. I guess after seeing that this has happened to others, I would like to know if anyone knows how DJI has responded to this type of incident.
Be careful out there gang.........
Terry
Here's an expansion from my explanation later in the thread"
"Here's what I recall:
I did all of the firmware updates. Prior to doing the updates, all seemed to work fine. I powered it up, started the motors before installing props and checked the camera to make sure it all worked before doing any updates and assembly. I then logged in and did the firmware updates. After the update, I got an invalid battery error on both of my batteries. Once that came up, the motors would not even start.
I then re-installed the firmware updates. After that, the errors went away.
I then went into an open area and calibrated the compass, started the aircraft and flew. The aircraft flew perfectly for about 10 minutes. I was watching the battery on my Nexus 7 and it was at 52% when I decided to bring it back. As it was descending, I stopped to let it hover and the battery was 47%. Again, descended and suddenly the aircraft began to oscillate badly and then just stopped running completely and fell to the ground like a rock. The battery frame is damaged but it still shows two lights when tested.
I honestly don't recall if the lights went off with the motor as I went into emergency mode with the remote and tried to regain some control. I remember no response at all and that's about it so I assume(d) the lights went out as well but it was hard to tell as it was not directly overhead and I was not looking at the lights directly.
By looking at the damaged aircraft, it appears that it crashed on it's top. In other words, it flipped over as it fell and crashed upside down.
I was not recording video at the time, only looking at my nexus through the camera.
I have not yet taken pictures of the aircraft and battery yet but I will.
Yes, it is insured but this is not an insurance issue in my opinion. This is a defective product issue I think...particularly when you see other identical or near identical cases.
Thanks for listening."
Koozam, Inc. was very responsive to all emails and never ignored any of them. The most concerning aspect of this incident aside from the potential liability claims, was having to rely upon DJI to respond. In the end, DJI stood behind the product as did the retailer and I have to say that it was handled appropriately.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
I've been flying a Phantom 1 for a few months and hundreds of incident free flights. No problems ever.
I took off on my maiden voyage with the Phantom 2 today and about 10 minutes into the flight and at about 60 feet in the air above asphalt, for no reason at all that I can determine, the Phantom just stopped running. No motors no lights no nothing. Obviously once it hit the asphalt, it was destroyed.
The battery was at 47% when this occurred and although the battery frame is broken, the lights still show half full.
Pictures are posted here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 724&type=3
I'd say be careful, but I'm not sure what could possibly be done to avoid this type of occurrence. I guess after seeing that this has happened to others, I would like to know if anyone knows how DJI has responded to this type of incident.
Be careful out there gang.........
Terry
Here's an expansion from my explanation later in the thread"
"Here's what I recall:
I did all of the firmware updates. Prior to doing the updates, all seemed to work fine. I powered it up, started the motors before installing props and checked the camera to make sure it all worked before doing any updates and assembly. I then logged in and did the firmware updates. After the update, I got an invalid battery error on both of my batteries. Once that came up, the motors would not even start.
I then re-installed the firmware updates. After that, the errors went away.
I then went into an open area and calibrated the compass, started the aircraft and flew. The aircraft flew perfectly for about 10 minutes. I was watching the battery on my Nexus 7 and it was at 52% when I decided to bring it back. As it was descending, I stopped to let it hover and the battery was 47%. Again, descended and suddenly the aircraft began to oscillate badly and then just stopped running completely and fell to the ground like a rock. The battery frame is damaged but it still shows two lights when tested.
I honestly don't recall if the lights went off with the motor as I went into emergency mode with the remote and tried to regain some control. I remember no response at all and that's about it so I assume(d) the lights went out as well but it was hard to tell as it was not directly overhead and I was not looking at the lights directly.
By looking at the damaged aircraft, it appears that it crashed on it's top. In other words, it flipped over as it fell and crashed upside down.
I was not recording video at the time, only looking at my nexus through the camera.
I have not yet taken pictures of the aircraft and battery yet but I will.
Yes, it is insured but this is not an insurance issue in my opinion. This is a defective product issue I think...particularly when you see other identical or near identical cases.
Thanks for listening."
