Surveillance Drone Destroyed During Return Flight at Gamsberg Mine

Casualties unknown • Gamsberg Mine, Northern Cape, ZA

An eBee Plus remotely piloted aircraft crashed at a Northern Cape mine after experiencing a sudden loss of control during an automated return-to-home sequence.

What happened

On 1 September 2022, a surveillance mission at the Gamsberg Mine in the Northern Cape Province ended in the destruction of an eBee Plus unmanned aircraft. The mission, conducted under Part 101 regulations, involved flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (B-VLOS) to capture imagery of run-of-mine piles.

The pilot launched the ZT-UHL with full battery power. The flight proceeded normally through the programmed mission, with battery levels dropping from 100% to 52% over approximately 22 minutes. Once the mission objectives were met, the aircraft initiated its automated return-to-home (RTH) procedure. However, shortly after the RTH sequence began, the aircraft became unstable. The remote controller feed showed the drone entering a sharp left bank before spiraling toward the ground. The aircraft crashed into an area containing mined material near a roller belt, and the wreckage could not be recovered.

The investigation

SACAA AIID examined the operational and technical status of the aircraft and the pilot's credentials. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Remote Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate. Regarding the aircraft's maintenance, a mandatory periodic inspection had been completed just 28 flight hours prior to the accident, which had found the motors and servos to be in good working order.

Environmental conditions at the time of the flight were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10km, a temperature of 29°C, and light north-easterly winds at 13 knots. The operator held a valid Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Letter of Approval and an Operating Certificate.

Findings

  • The loss of control was the primary event leading to the crash.
  • The aircraft entered a spiral descent and lost signal with the ground station.
  • The specific reason for the sudden instability and subsequent loss of signal could not be determined due to the fact that the wreckage was not recovered.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control and signal during its automated return flight, though the specific technical or operational cause remains undetermined because the wreckage was lost.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-09-01 IQlaser, eBee Plus accident near Gamsberg Mine, Northern Cape, ZA?

An eBee Plus remotely piloted aircraft crashed at a Northern Cape mine after experiencing a sudden loss of control during an automated return-to-home sequence.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-09-01 involved a IQlaser, eBee Plus, registration ZT-UHL, at Gamsberg Mine, Northern Cape, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control and signal during its automated return flight, though the specific technical or operational cause remains undetermined because the wreckage was lost.

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