Pilot Debrief

XAG P100 PRO near Francesville, IN — 2024-08-07

Final reportCEN24LA380
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Date
2024-08-07
Location
Francesville, IN, USA
Aircraft
XAG P100 PRO
Registration
N268MQ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The remote pilot’s in-flight loss of control of the unmanned aircraft due to GPS signal fluctuations, which resulted in a collision with, and serious injury to, a person assisting the operation.

NTSB narrative

The remote pilot reported that the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) was landing and had reached the designated landing spot and descent height just before the accident. When the UAS was about 1 foot above the ground, the aircraft flew sideways about 30 ft and struck a person assisting with the operation. That individual sustained a broken shoulder. The unmanned aircraft sustained damage to one rotor blade and to the onboard radar assembly; both were replaced. A review of the available flight logs for the UAS indicated that as the aircraft was landing, the number of available GPS satellites decreased. This was accompanied by frequent signal fluctuations. The UAS subsequently calculated a position deviation that it attempted to resolve by repositioning itself.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Implementing a physical barrier between personnel and UAS during landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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