Drone Manufacturer: 3DR
Drone Model: Solo
Country: United States of America
Type: Accident
Date: 2016-11-11
Applies: Daytime
Pilot Qualifications: Unknown Status
Pilot Flight Experience: Unknown Hours
Link to External Information About This submission: https://www.safecom.gov/safecom/17-0091
File Uploaded: None
Description
When the UAS was 0.4 miles from ground control and approximately 400 AGL from `Home`, the UAS lost wi-fi link with the controller, as evidenced by the red RSSI icon on the controller and tablet running the flight application. The UAS did not return home, as it is typical Lost Link procedure, but instead hovered in the same position as it was when it Lost Link. Weather was slightly overcast, 36 degrees above, no winds.
Reported Cause
Operator walked a few yards down the road, closer to the UAS until a link was reestablished {evidenced through the RSSI icon turning white on the controller and tablet} and then used a Return Home button to initiate the return of the UAS. As this was the end of the last flight of the day, the UAS was not flown again. All flight app settings were checked to confirm the protocol for lost link was properly programmed.