When an Eagle Brought Down My Drone: A Thrilling 360° Shoot Story from Assam

Introduction

Every project has its challenges, but some shoots stay with you forever. This is the story of how a majestic eagle in the skies of Assam turned our routine drone shoot into a heart-pounding thriller—a story that moved from excitement to panic, from sadness to relief.

The Journey to Assam

We began our journey from Ahmedabad with high spirits, heading to Assam for an ONGC 360° shoot. After hours of travel, we reached Bhuj and then onward into the beautiful but unpredictable landscapes of Assam.

The plan was simple:

• Complete all ground-level 360° footage with the Insta360 Pro2.

• Then capture breathtaking aerials with the Insta360 X4 mounted on a drone.

The first two days were smooth—our 70% of Pro2 shooting was completed flawlessly. We were proud of the script execution, the team’s coordination, and the crisp evening light. Everything felt perfect.

Flying High with Confidence

On the third morning, the weather was clear. We mounted the Insta360 X4 on the drone, charged all batteries, and prepared for flight.

• First flight: Smooth as silk.

• Second flight: Even better—beautiful sweeping aerial shots.

• Third flight: The one that changed everything.

As the drone lifted into the sky, I felt that rush of happiness every cinematographer feels when technology, creativity, and nature align.

The Eagle’s Strike

And then… out of nowhere, she appeared—a powerful eagle, soaring high above us.

At first, we admired her flight. But suddenly, she dived towards the drone. The sound of the propellers must have disturbed her. With razor-sharp claws, she struck at full speed.

💥 CRASH!
The propeller snapped. The drone shook violently, spinning out of control. Within seconds, it plummeted to the ground, and the lithium battery burst into flames.

It was no longer a smooth shoot—it was chaos, panic, and disbelief.

The Heartbreaking Moment

I stood frozen for a second. My drone was burning. Years of savings, lakhs of rupees, my trusted flying companion—gone in seconds.

But the sadness was deeper: our entire shoot data was inside the Insta360 X4’s memory card. If that was destroyed, not just the drone, but days of hard work and our client’s trust would be lost.

That fear hit harder than the crash.

The Black Box Search

Like pilots search for a black box after a plane crash, I ran towards the wreckage.

• The drone body was melting.

• Plastic and wires scattered like ashes.

• Flames hissed from the battery.

• The Insta360 X4 was in pieces.

• My only thought: Find the memory card!

I ignored the heat, smoke, and risk. My eyes searched only for the camera remains. Finally, I saw the burnt scraps of the Insta360 X4. My heart pounded.

I tore through the pieces, burning my hands slightly, until I saw it—
👉 the tiny memory card.

Blackened, hot, covered in dust—but there. I held it like treasure.

From Fear to Relief

Back at the hotel, with shaking hands, I cleaned the card with a cloth. I slid it into a reader… and there it was—
Every single file. Every single shot. Safe.

At that moment, sadness turned to joy. We lost a drone, but we saved what mattered most: our client’s data and our hard work.

Lessons from the Sky

That day in Assam taught me lessons I will never forget:

1. Nature is unpredictable. Birds, wind, and weather can change everything.

2. The memory card is your black box. Always recover it first.

3. Back up daily. Don’t wait until the end of the project.

4. Respect wildlife. We are visitors in their sky.

5. Prepare for losses. Drones can be replaced. Data cannot.

Conclusion

The eagle may have brought down our drone, but she couldn’t take away our spirit. This story is more than just about a crash—it’s about the resilience to protect what matters most.

👉 If you ever face a drone crash, remember: find the memory card first. That little piece of plastic may hold the entire soul of your project.

👉 The drone can be replaced. The data cannot.