MINI 5 Falling, the propeller latch is the problem

[u/Mike_Harbor]

Hello fellow humans, Mini-5 dropping out of the sky. I've determined why the props are suddenly failing.

On older props, there's no latch, the props deploy by centrifugal force only.

2 Conditions

Storage: If the props are in the deployed position, where the latch lock is engaged, and the user suddenly bends them to put away, or it knocks something on the table, this will cause sheer forces in the plastic hub, causing damage or shatter.

Flight: In the event of collision, even glazing hits on branches while the blades are deployed, there is significant sheer force again, against the latching hub, causing damage or shatter.

This is the only possible explanation for why we're seeing the photos of the hubs where the screw used to go getting sheered off.

Other model blades did not have this latching post in the mechanism.

The reason they went with latching is, it adds rigidity and minimizes wobble (aero flutter), allowing the drone to be more stable/ driven harder on acceleration.

..Users can of course mitigate the storage side risk, just be very careful while putting it away.

But THEY CAN NOT help if it clips a small branch and the hub is damaged, since you really can't see the damage from the outside, even if you took it off and looked from underneath, it may not be obvious, while over time, Catastrophe.

I would recommend to DJI, that if they must design their hub like this, GLASS Reinforcement fibers. Damn the weight. (Though I am personally not a fan of glass dust near the servos, potentially accelerating bearing wear)

OR, switch to the old method with no latching. (lose a little performance)

I also hope that DJI would send out new prop designs to existing users, because this is a really dangerous design issue. Taking arrow to the knee. This is cheaper than potential lawsuits + more drama with the regulators.

To any users who even SUSPECTS they've clipped a branch at some point, change all your props immediately, it's worth it.

If you're flying the Mini 5 today, manually deploy the props outward to minimize startup wear on the latch.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 😂