Lost DJI Phantom 4 found... what now?

30U Plymouth · Oct 24, 2017

DKG13CC said:
Ever power it on?

No, didn't even try. I didn't want to mess it up.
I took battery pack out and let it dry out.

Traveler · Oct 24, 2017

Sounds like you now have a fixer upper or a donor drone for the less fortunate. I think you can find a buyer for some of the parts.

Thanks for trying to do the the right thing.

30U Plymouth · Mar 25, 2018

New Update..
Owner found and drone returned.
My friend and I was finally able to get enough information from the sim card to track down the owner.

Cometstorm · Mar 26, 2018

30U Plymouth said:
New Update..
Owner found and drone returned.
My friend and I was finally able to get enough information from the sim card to track down the owner.

That’s just too cool, and you are very much the Man!

On my P3A, I have the FAA number stickered on, a “If found, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX” decal, and also a .txt file in the micro-card labeled “IF FOUND, check this file.”

FAA # is also embossed on a Marco Polo saddle bag transmitter holder.

Cellblock776 · Mar 26, 2018

Great job finding the owner and returning it. The world needs more people like you.

I have
"If Found Call
225-***-**** "
marked in sharpie on the bottom of my P3S under the battery. Some people will also include the word "reward" for extra incentive. I am more than happy to slap a hundred dollar bill in the hand of anyone who calls to return lost sUAS.

Skynet 1 · Mar 26, 2018

I have my FAA number on two sides of my drone and my cell number below the battery compartment. Wonder about putting a text file on the SD card with contact information also (I do that on all my flash drives). Great Story on finding the owner!

macaulayjuan · Mar 28, 2018

Great job tracking down the owner. Good for you on doing the right thing!

30U Plymouth · Apr 14, 2018

We received a nice response from the owner and thought I would share it with you....

I just wanted to thank you for recovering and returning my lost drone to me. When I lost my drone in Kincaid Lake my first thought was how I'd never see it again. I knew the drone was likely destroyed since it not only collided with the rock face, but also sank in the lake. I still hoped to dive and recover it just to be able to recover my video from the on-board SD card. unfortunately we weren't able to find it. I was super surprised when you contacted me and told me you had found it. Like I suspected, the damage to the drone was irreparable, but I was able to get my SD card back which still worked after months underwater! Thanks for finding it and for your sleuthing to locate me and return it out of the goodness of your heart!

-Trey

Scott Davis · Apr 14, 2018

In every camera, my cell phones and all SD Cards, I take a photo of my business card with “REWARD IF RETURNED” at the bottom. So if found, finder at least knows who owned it. Of course the FBI, FAA do to.

bsartist · Apr 14, 2018

Great story

RunningWithScissors · Apr 15, 2018

You've got my respect for your efforts to locate the owner. Probably very few people would go to those lengths to find him. Even though his Phantom wasn't salvagable, speaking from personal experience, reuniting that Phantom with the owner is one of those moments he likely won't forget. My Phantom got lost and I didn't know where it was. It was found and returned to me by a kind soul who called me through my phone number that was attached to the drone. I didn't advertise any reward in my contact information, and she wasn't expecting one, but I didn't hesitate to gave her a reward because, in many ways, getting my drone back was priceless to me. I know I won't forget that experience anytime soon.

30U Plymouth · Apr 15, 2018

Thanks for all the kind words. We have been able to return several items over the years, but this was something a little unexpected.
Here are images of a few of the past items that we have returned....