How Can We Reconstruct a Drone Crash?

The Challenge

A man was filming his pool party with an advanced aerial drone when it crashed near some guests, injuring a child and her relative. Litigation ensued with claims alleging that design defects caused the drone to drift and then descend into the water. There were also allegations that the drone's lack of collision avoidance technology and other safety features contributed to the incident. Faced with lawsuits from both the injured parties and the drone operator, our client, a drone manufacturer, asked Exponent to investigate the cause of the accident.

EXPONENT's Multidisciplinary Solution

A multidisciplinary team of Exponent scientists and engineers worked together to review recorded flight data, perform flight tests, and evaluate safety systems.

Our accident investigation and reconstruction experts were able to recreate the drone accident using recorded video and flight data. Leveraging the expertise of a certified Exponent drone operator, we evaluated the drone's controls and flight characteristics to determine how the drone handled in flight and specifically when operated near water and other obstacles. We were also able to plot the drone's path and discern any external factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Our team examined a large quantity of data representative of the accident and test flights. We applied our understanding of the vehicle and control systems to display a graphical representation that was key to explaining the accident, overlaying live joystick controller positions onto video footage from the drone itself. By overlaying the flight data onto recorded video, Exponent was able to determine that the drone responded to the operator's commands as designed, including the commands for it to descend into the pool, after which it became uncontrollable and crashed.

Exponent's Impact

Exponent determined that there was no defect in the control system or safety systems that precipitated the drone crash and that the cause of the accident was operator error. Exponent's work helped our client to settle the claim and shed light on drone safety and piloting.

Capabilities

What Can We Help You Solve?

Exponent provides independent engineering analyses including design reviews, accident reconstruction, failure analysis, and testing for aircraft and associated systems and equipment, as well as spacecraft, satellites, and launch vehicles. We provide practical design recommendations and solutions to complex technical problems, applying innovative analytical and testing techniques.

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