Two separate routine flights of a DJI Matrice 200 V1 unmanned aircraft unmanned aircraft terminated prematurely when the ballistic parachute recovery system activated. The first accident (21st September 2019) most likely occurred due to excessive vibration as a result of the parachute system not being securely attached to the airframe. The investigation was unable to establish the cause of the second accident (29th November 2019).
The investigation was limited by the availability of recorded flight data for the first accident. Without additional information from the UAS manufacturer it was not possible to establish if there were any common factors between the two accidents.
Safety action has been taken by the parachute manufacturer. One safety recommendation has been made as a result of the investigation, that DJI introduce an effective system for providing timely technical support to State safety investigations.
