A Step-by-Step Guide on What to Do After a Drone Crash
Do you ever sit back and really appreciate that we live in the most exciting time in human history? Technology is advancing in ways nobody can keep up with, and our tech gadgets and toys are, in a word, mind-blowing. For example, the global drone market is expected to reach $63.6 billion by 2025, with millions getting in on the fun.
If you love to fly drones, then you naturally have a special love for your favorite drone. Is the thought of a crashed drone (your drone) keeping you from fully enjoying your hobby?
Not to worry, in this post, we explain how to fly a drone to avoid crashes and what to do when a crash does happen. Keep reading for pro tips and tricks from flight to fizzle.
What to Do if You Crash Your Drone
We say “if” you crash, but we should really say “when” you crash because it will happen eventually no matter how skilled a drone operator you are. The most important thing to remember about drones – they should be treated with respect, as flying a drone comes with the responsibility of the safety of everyone around you.
Mayday: Crashing Responsibly
If it becomes clear your drone is going to crash, you need to think about safety first. Try to bring the drone down as far away from people as you can, including yourself. If the drone starts to show signs of malfunction during a flight or becomes difficult to control, fly it immediately to a safe area and attempt to land.
Your next priority is to crash land in the best conditions for retrieval and to minimize damage. An open grassy area is ideal. The worst possible scenario is crashing into deep water, in which case you won’t likely ever see that drone again.
The Drone Is Down, Now What?
The first thing to do is to retrieve the drone. This is sometimes easier said than done. If the drone crashed onto private property, you will need to contact the property owner and get permission to retrieve the drone.
When a drone goes down in heavy vegetation, it can be difficult to locate. Many drones have tracking beacons making the task as easy as following a map on your phone.
Once retrieved, access the damage with a thorough inspection. With a bit of luck, the drone may not have sustained any damage. However, perform a short test, and you will soon know if the drone needs repairs. If so, you can have the professionals at https://www.drdrone.ca/pages/repairs work their magic on it.
Important: remove the battery and look for any signs of damage. Even a slightly damaged battery should not be used again.
How to Avoid a Drone Crash
Obviously, crashing your expensive drone should be avoided to keep it in good flying condition for as long as possible. Here are some tips to avoid crashing:
- Never fly your drone out of view
- Don’t rely on the screen camera view
- Practice often
- Don’t fly with a low battery
- Fly in clear weather and open environments
- Check the blades for damage before every flight
The best drone flying tips are often as easy to find as reading the manual that came with the drone and checking the manufacturer’s website for their advice on how to fly a drone.
Crashed Drone: It Happens
A drone owner that has never had a crashed drone incident likely hasn’t much experience flying. However, the matter is crashing happens, and it is something you will have to deal with on occasion.
Remain focused, follow regulations, and sharpen your drone flying skills to avoid crashing whenever possible. When it does happen, retrieve, inspect, repair, and keep on flying. Check back daily for more helpful articles on our blog.
