Losing footage and images after a drone crash can be devastating. As a drone pilot, I know the sinking feeling when my drone fails to return or crashes unexpectedly. However, with some preparation and know-how, you can often recover lost drone data and keep flying. In this article, I’ll share the steps I take to try to rescue photos and video from a downed drone.
Assess the Drone Damage
The first step after a drone crash is to assess the extent of the damage. Was it a minor tumble or a catastrophic, drone-destroying impact?
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For minor crashes, the drone may have some scuffs and scratches but is likely still functional. The SD card could be intact, allowing you to simply remove it and access your data.
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Major crashes, however, often damage components like the gimbal, camera, motors, or frame. The SD card and internal storage could also be corrupted. This requires more involved data recovery methods.
Carefully inspect the drone and note any visible damage. Can you power it on? Do the motors spin and lights turn on? This initial triage will clue you in on the likelihood of data recovery.
Remove the SD Card
If the drone powers on after a crash, immediately remove the SD card before doing anything else. This safeguards the data in case powering up exacerbated any internal electrical issues.
- Use small screwdrivers to open the drone shell and locate the SD card slot.
- Gently remove the SD card without forcing it.
- Avoid shaking, bending, or touching the card contacts.
- Place the SD card in an anti-static bag or lined case for protection.
With the SD card secure, you can move on to attempting data recovery.
Try the SD Card in a Computer
The easiest solution is to simply insert the SD card from the crashed drone into a PC or Mac and see if the files are accessible.
- Use a card reader or SD card adapter to connect the card to your computer.
- Navigate to the drive associated with the SD card.
- Browse for photo and video files.
With minimal drone damage, the files may copy off the card untouched.
If Files Are Visible
If you can see image and video files on the card, immediately copy them to your computer. This prevents potential data corruption from spreading.
- Select all files and copy them to your desktop or another drive.
- Once transferred, examine the files to check for completeness and integrity.
- If any files appear corrupted, try recovery software for salvaging damaged data.
If No Files Appear
In some crashes, the SD card sustains damage and the computer fails to read it. Don’t panic yet! Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Try another SD card reader – Readers can malfunction and prevent data access
- Insert the card into another device like a phone or tablet
- Check for physical damage – Look for bent pins or other signs of visible damage
- Use data recovery software – Specialized programs may detect and restore data
- Contact a data recovery service – For extreme cases, pros can disassemble the card in a lab to extract data
With persistence and the right tools, you still have a good chance of bringing those photos and videos back to life!
Attempt Drone Internal Memory Recovery
If the SD card is damaged beyond repair or data is stored internally, you may need to access the drone’s built-in memory directly. This requires connecting the drone board to a computer.
Open the Drone Casing
- Remove all shell screws and carefully open the drone casing.
- Inspect the internal components and circuit boards for damage.
- Locate the microcontroller board that contains storage memory. It’s often near the power distribution board.
Connect to a Computer
- Use a USB cable to connect the controller board to a PC or Mac.
- The drone may power on when connected. If not, use a separate battery to provide power.
- Install any required drivers for the drone controller to interface with your computer.
Once connected, the computer may detect the onboard memory like an external drive. Then you can attempt data recovery.
Recover Data
If the drone memory appears intact, quickly copy off any accessible photo/video files before possible further data corruption.
Use data recovery software designed for drones to retrieve as much data as possible from even damaged onboard memory modules. Software can help reconstruct fragmented video clips and recover deleted files.
As a last resort, contact a drone data recovery service to surgically remove memory chips and use specialized tools to extract the data.
Prevent Future Data Loss
Going through drone data recovery is never fun. Here are some tips to avoid finding yourself in this situation again:
- Routinely transfer footage from the drone to your computer to preserve your shots.
- Use multiple memory cards and swap them out to prevent total data loss.
- Consider cloud-connected drones that automatically back up flight data online.
- Invest in recovery software/services before you lose data.
- Add tracking tags/ID to your drone to help locate a downed aircraft.
- Improve your piloting skills with practice to avoid crashes and lost drones.
While data recovery is possible, prevention is always the best policy when it comes to protecting your aerial photography. Follow these tips so you can relax and focus on capturing amazing drone footage without worrying about losing it.
