Pilot Debrief

AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK27-2 near Pendleton, OR — 2023-11-10

Final reportWPR24LA031
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Date
2023-11-10
Location
Pendleton, OR, USA
Airport
PDT
Aircraft
AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK27-2
Registration
N692PA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The operator’s use of an insufficiently charged battery that resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The operator of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) reported that during a test flight, the UAS descended, delivered a package to the practice location, and began a vertical climb to return to the landing zone. During the vertical climb, the UAS registered a low voltage health alert and initiated an “urgent land maneuver.” During the maneuver, the UAS battery depleted to a point where it lost propulsive power, and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to all 4 wings, and spar damage to the number 2, 3, and 4 wings. Postaccident review of the circumstances surrounding the flight by the operator revealed that an insufficiently charged battery had been installed on the UAS. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the UAS that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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