Drone Manufacturer: DJI
Drone Model: Matrice 210
Country: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Type: Accident
Date: 2020-03-05
Applies: Nighttime
Pilot Qualifications: Unknown Status
Pilot Flight Experience: 19 Hours
Link to External Information About This submission: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ebbcfa1d3bf7f5d380b11f8/DJI_Matrice_M210_V2_reg_na_06-20.pdf
Description
The accident occurred on a dry, clear night, when the drone was at an extended range of approximately 590 m. The pilot was using first person view and the drone was within visual line of sight. Analysis of the fight data indicated that the UAS probably struck a tree while flying sideways after the pilot applied a right roll input. The Matrice 210’s obstacle avoidance system is only capable of detecting approaching objects in front of the aircraft so it would have been unable to detect the tree.
Reported Cause
Obstacle avoidance system not capable in detecting object.