Almost lost my Spark

[Per Holgersen]

@ReinhardtRas

I just did a search on “flyaways” in this forum and there seams to be many having exact the same problem.
I’m new he, how can we escalate to support, or have someone already done?

@nutsnbolts I had that feeling that the drone ignored my commands, no response on RTH and or other response from my side.

 

[Daithi]

DJI know there is a problem. They are now readily replacing Sparks that fly away with new Sparks. Even lost ones. Hopefully, every though they are not telling that they know, they are now not selling anyone spark with they flyaways problem.

 

[nutsnbolts]

DJI know there is a problem. They are now readily replacing Sparks that fly away with new Sparks. Even lost ones. Hopefully, every though they are not telling that they know, they are now not selling anyone spark with they flyaways problem.

I'm not sure I get what you are saying? Fly aways from my understanding is a drone issue and not limited to the spark.

 

[choban]

I had a flyaway recently where I wasn't that lucky to get my Spark back. It happened when it was 250 m away from me. Same errors popped up on the screen and it started drifting fast. At the same time video feed was breaking up and I had no idea if I was flying it back in the right direction or not. Somehow I managed to get it closer to me (120 m) away and then, for an unknown reason, I completely lost the connection even though I could see my Spark drifting away.

Never managed to find it, but DJI sent me a new one as a warranty replacement...

I guess I had a bad compass calibration before. Make sure when you're calibrating your compass to be far away from any metal objects...

 

[Per Holgersen]

I had a flyaway recently where I wasn't that lucky to get my Spark back. It happened when it was 250 m away from me. Same errors popped up on the screen and it started drifting fast. At the same time video feed was breaking up and I had no idea if I was flying it back in the right direction or not. Somehow I managed to get it closer to me (120 m) away and then, for an unknown reason, I completely lost the connection even though I could see my Spark drifting away.

Never managed to find it, but DJI sent me a new one as a warranty replacement...

I guess I had a bad compass calibration before. Make sure when you're calibrating your compass to be far away from any metal objects...

 

[Per Holgersen]

Hi Choban
After the “replacement “ have you had any similar problems?
Wondering if it’s a hardware or software fault?
Anyone else having a replacement? And any change in the behavior of the drone?

 

[choban]

Hi Choban
After the “replacement “ have you had any similar problems?
Wondering if it’s a hardware or software fault?
Anyone else having a replacement? And any change in the behavior of the drone?

No issues so far. I am just afraid to fly it more than 150 m away in case this happens again.

 

[ReinhardtRas]

@ReinhardtRas

I just did a search on “flyaways” in this forum and there seams to be many having exact the same problem.
I’m new he, how can we escalate to support, or have someone already done?

@nutsnbolts I had that feeling that the drone ignored my commands, no response on RTH and or other response from my side.

Well I guess if DJI are replacing flyaway drones then they know the problem is with the drone and not the pilot! [emoji106] [emoji106] for DJI then. I wonder if they will replace my 64G micro sd card??

 

[Per Holgersen]

Hi all
Just a short update on this case. I created a case in DJI support on the the 4 of February and gave a detailed description of what happened. Now the 19 of February still no conclusion have been given by DJI, and don’t trust my Spark so haven’t been out flying since. Fell a little disappointed with the lack of response from them

 

[NyJosh]

Not to excuse them but it’s chinese New Year and most companies there are closed for 2 weeks. Give them time to get back from holiday and caught up.

 

[John Harvey]

Maybe I don't understand fly aways as I thought I did. When it loses GPS from what I am reading I'm assuming it starts to do things on it's own. That is ATTI mode? Can't you take control and redirect it in manual mode? Or does it start to go off and you have no say or control over it???

I haven't had a fly away yet but not enough flight time to really have a chance.

When you loose GPS/Compass for whatever reason, the P-Mode cancels and the Drone reverts to Atti Mode. In Atti Mode you can very well fly the aircraft manually, but you do need to know where the Drone is (VLOS), if not, you can fly manually, but you will not know where you are headed,, (No RTH).

 

[cozzykim]

When you loose GPS/Compass for whatever reason, the P-Mode cancels and the Drone reverts to Atti Mode. In Atti Mode you can very well fly the aircraft manually, but you do need to know where the Drone is (VLOS), if not, you can fly manually, but you will not know where you are headed,, (No RTH).

Take time to be aware of where you are and your attitude at all times, before this happens, note any landmarks as you fly out, then look for them on screen video feed and head back towards them?
Maybe it's a good idea to know what your take off site looks like from the air?

If the AC drops into ATTI mode, it will still sit there calmly while you release the sticks and then have a look round to calm down.

P.S. I'm the first to panic when something goes unexpectedly wrong.

 

[mimixtz]

In Atti Spark will level up and try to maintain its altitude, but minor breeze will drift and rotate (yaw) it and controls are way more sensitive as in GPS / positioning mode, maybe even more than in sport mode. Permittable tilt angle is also probably increased. I just don't know for how much.
I wish I had selectable atti mode for practicing.

 

[ulnar]

My fly away was really different of your description, my drone was over me, not 1 meter away, but 25 meters up... And simply runs out. I lost connection in the same moment and it doesn't let me recover control to make anything. DJI gave me a new drone in warranty after two weeks.

There's nothing you can do to regain control. I was with RC android in EU mode and last app update. Never happened to me again after using 4.1.15, otg and FCC mode.

 

[Moliere]

There's nothing you can do to regain control. I was with RC android in EU mode and last app update. Never happened to me again after using 4.1.15, otg and FCC mode.

Usually I like to use the latest versions of firmware and apps. I recently bought the Spark. After a few flights I decided to use a "different" older version of DJIs GO app since the original app was barely giving me a good signal after 100m. In addition OTG wasn't working anymore. As the Mavic Air almost fell into the Spark niche I doubt they will focus on Spark anymore.

 

[Per Holgersen]

Hi all
Just a short update. My Spark are now on the way to Nederland. DJI clear state the I will not get mine repaired or a new one. I will “only”get a refurbished one, that’s concern me a lot. Mine was only one month old and like new. I have informed them that they break the Danish rules by not do a repair orgive new one, but a fact they a little arrogant ignored. Let’s see what happens now, and I will keek you updated on my experience
Great day to all

PS forgot to ask, anyone having experience with refurbished drone from DJI?

 

[suprPHREAK]

Not sure if mine was a refurb, but if it was, it was like new.

 

[cozzykim]

They're the ones that people find in bushes or trees, or at the bottom of a lake, or buried in the sand at the beach.

They get returned by the Secret DJI Elf Society. They rinse out the motherboard and batteries, scrub the mud off the propellers, and Bob's yer uncle, refurbished Spark.



( )

 

[MannyCAM2001]

Costly as it is. And crazy to some.. with a bad crash, I will buy a new one. I don’t bother with refresh or whatever. Perhaps it was when working for Apple and seeing peoples reactions when getting their refurbs instead of new phones.
Nahhh Stupid as it may seem. I’ll just buy another one.
Less time waiting, no disappointments. New is new.

 

[Per Holgersen]

Hi
I have now received a refurbish drone that seems to work OK. But I cant get it into sports mode or fly with the same speed as before.
No sport mode. Max speed with obstacle senor on around 10 km/h
With sensor off around 20 km/h
I use RC and iPad, all in latest update
Please help if someone have a solution for this, I starts getting a little frustrated Thanks