Last Updated on July 19, 2020 by Markeyus Franks
Why does my drone flip over during take-off or mid-flight? This is a common question among a number of drone users. Often, a drone happens to flip over during take-off, or mid-flight. Although this is uncommon, it happens to be frustrating. The issue is mainly with wrong configurations or faulty parts. Rarely, it is due to accidental activation of a mode, turtle mode, which can affect flight performance. This article focuses on common issues that cause a drone to flip over during take-off or mid-flight and ways to prevent this from happening.
Why does my drone flip over during takeoff?
What are the common problems that cause a drone to flip over during takeoff?
Loose propeller nuts. Incorrect propeller installation. Incorrect motor order. Incorrect propeller spinning order. Motor screws touching motor windings. Turtle mode enabled by accident.
Loose propeller nuts
Loose propeller nuts on a drone can cause a flip off during takeoff. Takeoff requires tight propeller nuts for thrust and lift generation. Loose propeller nuts generate little to no lift. This can lead to a flip over during takeoff. Ensure that all prop nuts are tight enough and that they do not move during takeoff or midflight to prevent a flip over.
Incorrect Propeller Installation.
Improper prop installation on a drone can cause a flip over during takeoff. Propellers should be installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. It is important to read the drone’s manual before use to ensure that the propellers are installed in the right order. Upside down propellers or incorrectly aligned prop leading edges can cause a flip over during flight.
Incorrect Motor Order.
Incorrect motor order is another reason why drones flip over during takeoff. During manufacture, the propeller motors are specifically designed to be in place for thrust and lift to be generated. If you look closely, the propellers are numbered from 1 to 4 in a quadcopter or 1 and 2 in an advanced two-propeller drone. Motors do not rotate in the same direction and are distinctively designed to rotate in different directions to generate lift. If the motors are hanged or altered with, and not placed in a different spot that the
right spot, it often leads to flip over. Ensure that all motors are in the right designated motor number to prevent a flip over during takeoff.
Incorrect Propeller Spinning Order.
For the proper movement of a drone, there is a speculated spinning order that pushes the drone forward, sideways and so on. Propellers spinning in the opposite direction can cause a flip over during takeoff. Normally, for flight to happen in a quadcopter, the left diagonal propellers spin clockwise while the right diagonal propellers spin in an anticlockwise direction. Anything different from this causes a flip over, and a check-up should be done to ensure that the right configuration is installed for a takeoff to happen.
Motor Screws Touching Motor Windings.
Long motor screws often tend to touch the motor windings, and this can cause the drone to flip over during takeoff. Long motor screws touching the motor windings cause an electrical short in the motor. This causes overheating in the motor and can cause it to fry itself or the ESC. This malfunction is hard to notice and requires a keen inspection of the drone.
Turtle Mode Enabled By Accident.
Turtle mode enables the drone to flip over after a crash. However, when activated by accident during takeoff, it can cause problems with takeoff and can lead to a flip over. To prevent a flip over, ensure that you check to ensure that this mode is not enabled at all, and turn it off if enabled to prevent a flip over.
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Why Does My Drone Flip Over During Flight?
Common issues that cause mid-flight flip overs in a drone are:
Unsupported ESC protocol. Improper ESC calibration. Improper motor mixing. Receiver not working properly.
Unsupported ESC protocol.
Using an ESC protocol that is not supported by your drone’s ESC can lead to a flip over during flight. A common ESC protocol that works across the board is the standard PMW. The use of any unsupported ESC will lead to problems with configuration mid-flight and cause a flip over.
Improper ESC Calibration.
When one or multiple ESC’s in your drone are not calibrated properly, they may have a later start than others. This could have both issues during takeoff and mid-flight and can cause a flip over on both occasions.
Improper Motor Mixing.
Improper motor mixing often causes the drone to flip over during flight. The configuration tab has a ‘mixer’ option, that controls which propellers run and at what percentage they do run. Improper mixing of these propellers can cause the drone to flip over. Ensure that the mixing is per the stated out instructions as per the drone’s manual.
Receptor Not Properly Working.
A drone may flip over during flight due to an improper working control. function. The receptor not working properly can cause problems with the drones flying ability and can lead to a flip over and possibly a crash. Sometimes, the channel order is wrong and this can lead to problems with direction and the overall movement of the drone. Ensure that the drone channel option is configured as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
How To Prevent A Drone From Flipping Over
There are common methods to prevent a drone from flipping over during take-off or midflight. The first common way is reading and understanding the manufacturer’s manual before using the drone. Reading and understanding the manufacturer’s manuals will help in configuring the drone properly to prevent issues that lead to a flip over. Also, ensure that the propeller screws are tightened enough to prevent unwanted movement during takeoff or during flight.
It is also crucial to ensure that all the propellers are installed properly and are moving in the speculated direction as stated in the manual. In addition, ensure that the motors are calibrated well as per the designated spot for proper flight coordination. Finally, ensure that the ESC protocol is compatible with the drone ESC, and configure the calibration properly to ensure a coordinated propeller activity.
