Importance Of Insuring Your Battery Is Secured On Elev-8
GlassKNees
Posts: 181
I had a mishap a couple of days ago while flying my Elev-8 on a windy day. While it didn't seem particularly windy at ground level, I noticed that my copter was having difficulty holding its position while flying in Loiter mode (my copter is equipped with an APM 2.6 flight controller/autopilot). It was pretty high and a hundred yards or so downrange and appeared to be drifting away, so I switched to RTL in order to bring the aircraft back. As it responded and was on its way back I saw it suddenly wobble sharply and then fall. As it dropped out of the sky, I saw something falling away from the aircraft. At first, I thought the copter had thrown a propeller but the object seemed heavier. The aircraft fell upside down, breaking the GPS mast, the telemetry transceiver antenna, and the support plate I used to mount the APM vibration dampener. Also, some pins were bent on the APM itself; I was using a Chinese clone APM where the connectors plug in vertically. I found the battery about 15 feet away from the copter.
I suspect that due to the buffeting from the winds, the battery slipped loose from the two velcro straps I used and as it fell, it pulled the aircraft off balance and then became disconnected and fell free. There doesn't appear to be any indication of a propeller strike on the battery. Fortunately, the damage looks worse than it is. I've ordered a new mounting plate and GPS mast and straightened the pins on the APM. I don't know if the APM is okay - will have to wait until I receive the parts and complete the repairs - will probably disassemble the aircraft to insure that the booms are not bent.
The lesson here is make sure that the battery is well secured to the aircraft. I thought mine was secure enough, but wind buffeting can really shake things up...
I suspect that due to the buffeting from the winds, the battery slipped loose from the two velcro straps I used and as it fell, it pulled the aircraft off balance and then became disconnected and fell free. There doesn't appear to be any indication of a propeller strike on the battery. Fortunately, the damage looks worse than it is. I've ordered a new mounting plate and GPS mast and straightened the pins on the APM. I don't know if the APM is okay - will have to wait until I receive the parts and complete the repairs - will probably disassemble the aircraft to insure that the booms are not bent.
The lesson here is make sure that the battery is well secured to the aircraft. I thought mine was secure enough, but wind buffeting can really shake things up...
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