UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Time Pressure; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
The remote PIC was operating an sUAS at about 35 ft AGL from a public sidewalk looking west into the setting sun. The UAS was approximately 300 feet west of the operating position. The low sun angle which was now behind the UAS caused the remote PIC to begin squinting and lose situational awareness of the proximity of nearby trees. The UAS became entangled in a tree. After retrieval; three of the four UAS rotors needed replacement; but was otherwise undamaged. There was no damage to the tree; there were no leaves on the tree.HUMAN PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS:- The desire to complete the photo mission motivated the remote PIC to not fully consider how the setting sun would complicate the flight.- The remote PIC did not choose an altitude which would avoid collision with trees- The remote PIC did not end the flight or choose a new operating position when he realized he was operating the UAS while looking into the setting sun.- In the future; the remote PIC will consider sun angle when planning a photo mission- Additionally; the remote PIC needs to do more deliberate risk management planning.
DJI Mavic pilot reported losing sight and control of UAV while looking into a low sun. UAV hit trees and was damaged.