What happened
On the evening of 24 April 2023, a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise UAS, registered ZT-XSH, was conducting a night-time surveillance mission along a freight railway line. The operation, located approximately 6 nautical miles northeast of Dumbe in the KwaZulu-Natal province, was being performed under beyond visual line of sight (BVLASS) regulations.
After completing six successful flights without issue, the pilot initiated a seventh mission. While the aircraft was on its final approach to the launch pad, the pilot exited a motor vehicle. During this movement, the pilot accidentally struck the throttle selector stick on the remote controller. This unintended input caused the drone to accelerate unexpectedly, leading it to collide with a cone positioned at the corner of the landing pad. The impact resulted in minor damage to the aircraft's propeller blades, though no injuries were reported on the ground.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID confirmed that the pilot held a valid Remote Pilot Licence with the necessary BVLOS rating and a current medical certificate. The aircraft, ZT-XSH, was operating under a valid Letter of Approval and had undergone a mandatory periodic inspection only nine days prior to the event.
Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and determined that the flight controls were inadvertently manipulated during the transition from the vehicle to the ground. The investigation also verified that the operator's specifications permitted the night-time aerial patrol and survey activities being conducted at the time of the accident.