Independent report

AAIB Record-only UAS investigations reviewed: February - March 2021

Published 1 December 2021

Event Date Aircraft Type Location Record Only Occurrence Text
31 Aug 2020 UAS DJI Matrice 210 V1 Bath, Somerset The UA was at about 6 m agl. Without warning it tilted forwards and dropped to the ground damaging the blades and the arms. It was not clear what the cause was, although the operator suspected one of the motors had failed.
09 Dec 2020 UAS DJI Inspire 2 Oswestry, Shropshire The pilot misjudged the position of the UA and it collided into a hill.
12 Jan 2021 UAS DJI Mavic Pro 2 Dewsbury, West Yorkshire The UA was being flown over open ground when it struck a bird. The UA fell to the ground damaging the rotor arms.
23 Jan 2021 UAS Bumblebee Roundway Down, nr Devizes, Wiltshire The UAS was being flown using First Person View (FPV) goggles with a spotter. Connection with the UA was lost at 50 m range and the UA descended into a misty valley. The UA was found several days later.
01 Feb 2021 UAS Mavic 2 Dual Enterprise Northwitch, Cheshire UA made an uncommanded response and collided with a bridge. The UA fell to the ground.
02 Feb 2021 UAS DJI Phantom III Professional Near Ropley, Hampshire Two minutes after takeoff, and without warning, the aircraft fell to the ground from a height of 25 m. The operator reported that the accident had occurred because one of the propellers had detached in-flight.
12 Feb 2021 UAS Parrot Anafi Bath, Somerset Control of the UAS was lost and it flew away for 150 m and dropped to the ground.
16 Feb 2021 UAS DJI Enterprise Mavic Dual Longford Park, Coventry, West Midlands While the UA was descending before landing, the operator misjudged the height of some trees and the UAS struck the tree canopy.
05 Mar 2021 UAS DJI Phantom 4 V2.0 Near Sizewell, Suffolk During a coastal survey, the UA took off and was climbing to a height of 300 ft. At approximately 280 ft, it banked, fell to the ground and was substantially damaged.
09 Mar 2021 UAS DJI Phantom 4 Whatley Quarry, Somerset The UA lost power and fell approximately 40 m. It suffered extensive damage.
15 Mar 2021 UAS Intel Falcon 8+ Petty Pool Farm, Cheshire The pilot was flying the UA in preparation for a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) practical assessment. During a 45° ascent manoeuvre the UA became lodged within a tree at approximately 20 m above ground level. The UA fell to the ground about 20 minutes after the collision.
17 Mar 2021 UAS DJI Matrice 600 Pro Silvertown Tunnel, Greenwich The pilot flew the UA to avoid a bird. The UA struck a light fixture which caused the UA to tip, rotate and strike the ground. It came to rest on the ground within the safety zone.
20 Mar 2021 UAS DJI Phantom Altrincham, Cheshire The UA struck a garden hedge and fell to the ground. The outer casing was significantly damaged.
01 Apr 2021 UAS DJI Matrice 300RTK West End, Surrey The UA was being operated at approximately 60 m agl at night. There was a loud bang and the UA fell to the ground. The operator believed the UA was struck by a bird.