CEN26LA245

The pilot/operator commanded the takeoff sequence on the agricultural unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and the UAS climbed to about 15 ft above its launch rig. Hearing an abnormal “popping” noise coming from the UAS, the pilot initiated the automated landing sequence and the UAS descended to about 2 ft above the rig and about 4 to 5 ft from the operator’s station. The pilot lost control of the UAS as it moved towards his position causing the pilot to duck behind the operator’s barrier. When he ducked, the UAS’s right-rear propeller struck his left hand resulting in a serious injury. The UAS descended and crashed into terrain resulting in substantial damage to the right-rear arm and propeller. The operator sent the UAS on-board data to the manufacturer for decoding. The manufacturer’s report found that about 1 second after the UAS started up, a joystick input was received which paused the UAS’s takeoff. A couple seconds later, additional control inputs were recorded and the UAS responded accordingly. The data found no mechanical malfunction or failure with all engine parameters in the normal range.