What happened
On 24 October 2022, a DJI Mavic 2 with registration ZT-XWX was being operated for surveillance purposes at the Sun City Family Resort in the North West province. The flight was being conducted under Part 1-01 regulations and involved beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
Following a successful pre-flight inspection, the pilot launched the aircraft with full battery power. The drone reached an altitude of 400 feet above ground level and traveled approximately 1.5 kilometres from the launch point. During the mission, the pilot's controller screen froze, resulting in a total loss of Command and Control (C2) connection. Although the pilot initiated the return-to-launch (RTL) procedure, the aircraft failed to return. After searching the last known location, the pilot was unable to recover the drone, which sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) with the necessary BVLOS endorsements and a current medical certificate. The aircraft had undergone a maintenance inspection 14 flight hours prior to the incident.
While weather conditions were favorable and did not contribute to the accident, investigators looked into the environmental factors of the Sun City area. The region is characterized by various radio masts and communication infrastructure situated on nearby hills and mountains. Because the aircraft could not be recovered, log files were unavailable to provide definitive proof, but the evidence pointed toward external interference.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of the C2 communication link between the aircraft and the pilot, leading to a loss of control.
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from local radio and communication infrastructure was the most probable cause of the signal disruption.
- The loss of signal likely blocked the transmission between the controller unit and the drone.