What happened
On 4 January 2022, a pilot was performing night-time security surveillance near the Pullens Hope substation, close to the Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga. Operating a DJI Mavic Advanced with registration ZT-XEJ, the pilot was conducting the mission under visual flight rules (VFR) and Part 101 regulations. During the flight, the pilot became distracted by movement in the grass, leading to a loss of focus while the aircraft was approximately 2.5km from the takeoff point.
Shortly thereafter, the command link between the controller and the drone was severed. In an attempt to regain control, the pilot moved toward the aircraft's last known position. While a brief reconnection occurred—indicating the drone was hovering near a water-cooling tower—the link was lost again. The aircraft's automated Return to Launch (RTL) function engaged, directing the drone toward its original takeoff point. During this automated transit, the aircraft is believed to have struck an Eskom cooling tower, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
An investigation by the operator's regional manager examined the flight path and environmental factors. The analysis established that the drone's flight path for the RTL maneuver took it directly over the power station infrastructure. The investigation noted that the cooling tower's elevation was higher than the drone's flight path, creating a collision risk.
Following the incident, a search of the area yielded only the battery cover of the drone, which showed scuff marks. It is believed the main fuselage fell into the water reservoir at the base of the cooling tower and remains unrecovered. The investigation also considered the impact of the power station's environment on the drone's sensors and communication stability.