What happened
On 22 November 2022, a DJI Phantom 4 (registration ZT-XHF) was being utilized for agricultural mapping operations at Mansfield Farm in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. The flight was being conducted under Part 101 regulations as a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) mission.
Following a successful pre-flight inspection, the pilot launched the aircraft, which climbed to an altitude of 250 feet. As the drone reached its horizontal flight starting point, it suddenly dipped and entered an uncontrolled spiral. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly and crashed into the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. No injuries were reported during the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the flight logs to determine the cause of the sudden loss of control. The post-accident inspection of the DJI Phantom 4 revealed that the front right motor had ceased functioning.
Technicians identified a buildup of black residue on four of the battery connector pins, as well as on the cable connectors leading to the battery. This residue was identified as evidence of an electrical short circuit occurring between the battery and the cable connectors.