I was flying my Avata over a frozen lake, and it just fell out of the sky. The temperature was about 1°C (33.8°F), and it landed in the middle of the ice. Since it was late in the evening, I couldn’t retrieve it until the next morning. Everything seems fine except that one propeller is completely gone.
If I buy a new propeller, will it be safe to fly again, or should I send it to DJI for repairs? I’m worried this might happen again. It’s frustrating to spend money on repairs when I wasn’t at fault, especially since I paid for Care Refresh.
If you send it to DJI for repair, make sure you put the original broken parts back on. If you don’t, they might not cover it. Always stick with official props.
Orion said:
If you send it to DJI for repair, make sure you put the original broken parts back on. If you don’t, they might not cover it. Always stick with official props.
Yeah, I’ll use an official prop. It’s not worth risking the warranty over a few bucks. Plus, it’s just one prop that’s missing.
If there’s no other damage, replace the prop and do some short test flights to see if it’s working fine. Honestly, you’re lucky if it’s just one prop that broke.
Orin said:
If there’s no other damage, replace the prop and do some short test flights to see if it’s working fine. Honestly, you’re lucky if it’s just one prop that broke.
I think the prop broke mid-air. The Avata is built tough, and there’s no other visible damage.
@Ren
If you think $9 props are expensive, maybe this isn’t the right hobby for you. I use ‘Master Airscrew’ props, and they’re great. Props are one of the cheapest parts to replace, honestly.
Leith said: @Ren
If you think $9 props are expensive, maybe this isn’t the right hobby for you. I use ‘Master Airscrew’ props, and they’re great. Props are one of the cheapest parts to replace, honestly.
I agree they’re expensive, but I’ll still get the DJI ones. I just feel like a $1k+ drone shouldn’t fall out of the sky like this.
@Ren
Imagine buying a commercial plane and then using cheap replacement parts. The risk isn’t worth it. Stick to trusted manufacturers to avoid random failures like this.
Braint said: @Ren
Imagine buying a commercial plane and then using cheap replacement parts. The risk isn’t worth it. Stick to trusted manufacturers to avoid random failures like this.
I’m fine with buying DJI props. I was just saying they cost a lot, like high-quality jet engines do.
@Ren
Fair enough. But you should check out ‘Master Airscrew’ props. They really improved my flights. I’ve flown in sub-freezing temps, and they held up just fine.
Cold weather affects the battery, motors, and props. It’s a good idea to keep the battery warm before flying. If you plan to fly in these conditions again, consider insulating your battery.
Ren said: @Jamie
The crash happened because of a prop failure. One of the props was missing when I found the drone, and the way it spiraled confirms that.
Cold can make props more brittle. DJI suggests not flying below 15°C, though their specs say it can handle as low as -10°C.
Official props it is, but they are pretty pricey.