Independent report

AAIB Record-only UAS investigations reviewed: December 2021 - January 2022

Published 10 March 2022

Event Date	Aircraft Type	Location Name	Record Only Occurrence Text
11 Jun 2021	Skylift V18001	Tur Langton, Leicestershire	During a manually-flown, routine test flight in a mild breeze which was within the UA’s limits, the UA began to behave erratically. Despite the pilot’s attempts to regain control, the UA pitched inverted and fell to the ground from a height of about 40 m, suffering substantial damage in the impact. A review of the recorded data by the operator did not identify any mechanical or electrical failures, and their internal investigation considered it possible that localised turbulence from surrounding trees may have been sufficient to cause the loss of control.
26 Jul 2021	DJI Mavic Pro 2	Belper, Derbyshire	After takeoff, with the UA at approximately 12 m agl one rotor arm, which had not been fully extended, partially folded which resulted in one propeller striking the fuselage and breaking. The UA fell to the ground from a height of 10 m.
28 Jul 2021	G2	Sennybridge, Powys	The operator lost control during landing. Attempts were made to recover control, but the UA pitched down and struck the ground.
05 Sep 2021	DJI Inspire	Barnsley, South Yorkshire	During a routine commercial flight, the pilot misjudged the flight path and the UA became caught in the branches of a tree. The UA suffered damage to two of its propellers, but was recovered without further incident.
09 Sep 2021	DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced	English Channel	The 1.1 kg UA was launched from a ship in the English Channel to search for a small craft. The wind at takeoff was 14 kt from 090°. While the UA was airborne the ship had to manoeuvre for traffic and headed eastwards at 10 kt, overtaking the UA. The pilot tried to fly it back but when it reached 500 m from its takeoff point it stopped. The pilot had to repeatedly update the takeoff point to his current position to keep it moving towards the ship. After 28 minutes of flight the battery was low and the UA initiated an auto-land into the sea.
10 Sep 2021	DJI Matrice 300 RTK	Ilminster, Somerset	The UA was being flown for a survey at approximately 150 m from the pilot and observer. There was an unexpected crunching sound and the UA fell to the ground. The flight log recorded a 22 m/s rate of decent and a loss or malfunction to a propeller or motor, however the precise cause of the malfunction could not be determined
11 Oct 2021	Malloy TRV-80	Portland Harbour, Dorset	The UA was operating at 50 m amsl when it entered an uncommanded roll manoeuvre which exceeded the UA’s maximum bank angle and it struck the sea. The UA was not recovered.
23 Nov 2021	Aeryon Skyranger R60	Newbold Revel, Warwickshire	The operator was flying the UA at a lower than normal height due to the presence of low flying aircraft. The UA did not respond to the control inputs as expected and it struck a tree.
24 Nov 2021	Parrot Anafi	East Molesey, Surrey	During an inspection flight, the UA veered sideways into a concrete structure and fell into the river below; it was not recovered. The pilot advised that the propeller guards fitted to the UA may have contributed to the loss of control.
13 Dec 2021	DJI Inspire 1	Traquair Forest, Peebleshire	Shortly after taking off, the UA lost the GPS signal and went into altitude hold mode. It drifted into a tree and then struck the ground.
14 Dec 2021	Acecore Zoe 8X	Burnley, Lancashire	The remote pilot and an observer were making a familiarisation flight from a car park. The UA, which is operated by a surveying organisation, made a rapid uncommanded descent from 40 m agl and sustained substantial damage.
14 Dec 2021	DJI Mavic Mini 2	Taggs Island, Hampton, Middlesex	While flying over a lake, the UA clipped a branch on a tree and fell into the water. The UA was not recovered.
15 Dec 2021	DJI Inspire 1	Ipswich, Suffolk	During takeoff the UA struck a wall.
16 Dec 2021	DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine	Bradford, West Yorkshire	The pilot was testing the UA following a software update when it flew into some branches and fell into a pond.
03 Jan 2022	MA Arising Star	Harefield, Hertfordshire	The UA was in flight when it suddenly became unresponsive. Although the remote pilot attempted recovery of the UA by resetting the controls and transmitter, the UA flew away to the east towards open ground. The UA was later recovered in an open field and had suffered significant damage.
09 Jan 2022	DJI Mavic Mini 1	St John’s Wood, London	The pilot lost control of the UA and it struck a roof once the batteries depleted.
17 Jan 2022	DJI Mavic Mini	Saint Nicholas, near Cardiff	The UA was at approximately 65 m agl when a motor error was generated. It lost control and subsequently struck the ground.
22 Jan 2022	MA Junior 60	Beeley, Derbyshire	Approximately four minutes into the flight from a model flying field in a rural area the model aircraft lost radio signal. It disappeared from view and was not recovered.
26 Jan 2022	Skymantis	Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire	After takeoff the UA drifted in the prevailing wind. The remote pilot commanded the UA to climb in an attempt to stabilise it, and at a height of 60 m the UA began to rotate uncontrollably so the pilot attempted to land the UA. During the descent the UA remained unstable and struck the ground.