prop detachment during flight

[Molarman]

Hi
I'm new to this forum. Had my phantom 2 for a few months and was very confident with it until the prop detached suddenly whilst flying. It plummeted like a stone but fortunately survived with only minor damage to Zenmuse. I was used to just spinning the props on before flight thinking that the self tightening action would keep things ok. Obviously not! It was flying smoothly for a while before it happened and a captured frame from the Gopro footage clearly shows it flying off. Props were genuine DJI and well balanced. Post crash examination confirm prop and motor spindle sound.
Anyone out there had a similar experience?

 

[IflyinWY]

Yep, there are similar experiences, and we've got the finest minds working on finding out why. I'm trying to keep from interrupting their thoughts, but here is where they are:
http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/urgent-tighten-your-props-with-wrench.36945/

This is how they got started on that thread:
http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/wth-just-happened-props-just-flew-off.36530/

So there you go.

Where are you? A signature with some of your information works well when you want folks to know about your bird. You can also add a location to your profile so we get some idea of where you are.

Welcome to the forum Molarman, wish you showed up with good news instead of this.
Do you fix teeth? Oh, me be funny.

 

[robsquad]

is that a full prop or part ?

 

[Molarman]

Yep, there are similar experiences, and we've got the finest minds working on finding out why. I'm trying to keep from interrupting their thoughts, but here is where they are:
http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/urgent-tighten-your-props-with-wrench.36945/

This is how they got started on that thread:
http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/wth-just-happened-props-just-flew-off.36530/

So there you go.

Where are you? A signature with some of your information works well when you want folks to know about your bird. You can also add a location to your profile so we get some idea of where you are.

Welcome to the forum Molarman, wish you showed up with good news instead of this.
Do you fix teeth? Oh, me be funny.

Good to know it's not just me! Gonna tighten with w

Yep, there are similar experiences, and we've got the finest minds working on finding out why. I'm trying to keep from interrupting their thoughts, but here is where they are:
http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/urgent-tighten-your-props-with-wrench.36945/

This is how they got started on that thread:
http://www.phantompilots.com/threads/wth-just-happened-props-just-flew-off.36530/

So there you go.

Where are you? A signature with some of your information works well when you want folks to know about your bird. You can also add a location to your profile so we get some idea of where you are.

Welcome to the forum Molarman, wish you showed up with good news instead of this.
Do you fix teeth? Oh, me be funny.

 

[Molarman]

Interesting that there is a known problem. Will be using a wrench from now on and tighten them up before I fly as I normally carry it around props off.
As to your other point, yes I did mess with teeth. I'm a recently retired Dental surgeon so have more time on my hands to mess around. Off touring in France soon in a motorhome so hope to get some good flying and filming.

 

[Molarman]

is that a full prop or part ?

 

[Molarman]

Full prop. Just blurred due to speed.

 

[MikeTess]

PV+ v3: I use blue loctite on my threads and wrench tighten snug (not too tight). Props come off only for replacement. Yeah, they stay on when connected to the Assistant app. Take precaution.

 

[edonovanl]

Mike, my apologies if you are already on this, but you might consider binding your landing gear to a piece of wood or something when you are connected to the Assistant. I use a 12x12 piece of plywood and four wire staples. No problems yet but I don't want to get into a tussle with a set of spinning props!

 

[PsychopathRC]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I had a prop fly off my FC40 once. But it was already on the ground. It's like the change in revs on the motors caused it. Maybe the motors can slow down so fast they loosen the props?

 

[IflyinWY]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I had a prop fly off my FC40 once. But it was already on the ground. It's like the change in revs on the motors caused it. Maybe the motors can slow down so fast they loosen the props?

That's a current discussion among the braniacs in the first link I posted above. I check the thread every now and then hoping it will be translated to English. I try not to interrupt their train of thought. The most recent translation was by:
http://www.phantompilots.com/members/spiritskeeper.21333/, Thursday, April 2.
Well worth the read, if you like your Phantom.

For those of you who haven't used the wrench yet, it slips down over the motor.
It does not slide on like wrenches in your tool box.

 

[Incisors]

I watched my prop or piece of prop fly off today at 250 ft. Crazy. Thing dropped immediately. Scared the crap out of me.
Apparently came down on my neighbors patio roof.
Of course this was the only section of my flight that even came close to houses. I was just guiding it back from the golf course I live on.
Looks like I'm going to need a big ladder and an apology for not meeting my neighbor before this.
Never had any problems before this with flight or control. Heard it hit hard, but was obstructed by a hedge. I imagine it is in many pieces.
I am a new owner, but have at least 8 hours of flying time.

 

[Larry L]

I watched my prop or piece of prop fly off today at 250 ft. Crazy. Thing dropped immediately. Scared the crap out of me.
Apparently came down on my neighbors patio roof.
Of course this was the only section of my flight that even came close to houses. I was just guiding it back from the golf course I live on.
Looks like I'm going to need a big ladder and an apology for not meeting my neighbor before this.
Never had any problems before this with flight or control. Heard it hit hard, but was obstructed by a hedge. I imagine it is in many pieces.
I am a new owner, but have at least 8 hours of flying time.

good luck, Hope neighbors are pretty cool & don't claim you damaged roof. ( hopefully you really didn't)

 

[Milly]

Thanks for bringing this up, up to now I have only just spun the props on with no tightening up after. I think I will now review this practise.

 

[Mako79]

What model is your P2? and what firmware you running?

 

[Incisors]

What model is your P2? and what firmware you running?

I had a P2 vision +. Neighbors not home, and I need a big ladder, or another P2 to verify location. I know it's up there
Firmware updated yesterday to most recent update.

 

[Molarman]

Your recent post has eventually solved the mystery of why my prop detached during flight. We need to change ?..........
YES our phantom pilots nicknames, anything that's not associated with teeth. That's the common link.lol.

 

[IflyinWY]

Your recent post has eventually solved the mystery of why my prop detached during flight. We need to change ?..........
YES our phantom pilots nicknames, anything that's not associated with teeth. That's the common link.lol.

You two are no where near alone on this issue.
Lots of birds are falling out of the sky because of missing props.

I hope everyone is getting the picture... TIGHTEN THE PROPS WITH THE WRENCH.

Speaking of pictures, here's something for "The Teeth Guys":
http://avatarmaker.net/
I'll bet you two can make some very cool Avatars.

 

[Incisors]

Your recent post has eventually solved the mystery of why my prop detached during flight. We need to change ?..........
YES our phantom pilots nicknames, anything that's not associated with teeth. That's the common link.lol.

Agree molarman. Evidently the dental professions love is being reflected by DJI