What happened
On 30 November 2024, a DJI Avata 2 was being operated for private use at Prince George’s Playing Fields in Surrey. While the unmanned aircraft was in the process of returning to its base due to a low battery alert, it experienced a sudden and steep pitch-up motion. The pilot was unable to recover the aircraft from this maneuver, causing it to bounce off the grass at a low altitude.
Following this impact, the drone ceased responding to control inputs. The aircraft then accelerated both forwards and upwards, successfully clearing a nearby fence and a road. The uncontrolled flight continued into the grounds of a local football club, where the drone overflew an active football match. The flight concluded when the aircraft entered a spectator stand. There were no injuries to any persons, and no damage to property was reported.
The investigation
An investigation was conducted following an accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the subsequent flight path. The investigation noted that the aircraft sustained a broken propeller arm and damage to the propeller blades. The operator subsequently returned the unit to the manufacturer under warranty, and a replacement was arranged.