Autel MAX 4 Series Emergency Procedures
- Checklist
- Autel MAX 4 Series Emergency Operations
- Aircraft in Series
- MAX 4T, MAX 4N
- Version / Effective Date
- 2.2 / 21 SEP 2026
- For use in all EMHS/CDRP/DIRT UAS operations.
Memorization Required
All Emergency Operations Checklists must be memorized for flight crewmembers. Procedures must be carried out quickly without checklist reference.
Abort Procedures
Abort to Loiter (ATL) is utilized as an initial response to an unsafe, unusual, or unknown condition. The RPIC and crew should evaluate the need for additional emergency actions.
ATL Checklist
- “Abort to Loiter” - ANNOUNCE
- Airspace - CLEAR
- Hover - ESTABLISH
- Aircraft orientation - ESTABLISH
- Descend or Climb - AS NECESSARY
Abort to Landing (ATLAND) is the appropriate response for a condition the is a developing risk to the aircraft, crew, bystanders, or other aircraft. This abort assumes flight controls are responsive and the airspace is permissive for a direct return to launch.
ATLAND Checklist
- “Abort to Landing” - ANNOUNCE
- Master flight mode - RTL or AS APPROPRIATE
- Airspace - CLEAR
- Notify Command - CHECK
- Land - RETURN TO LANDING
- Proceed to Approach and Landing Checklist
Abort to Ground (ATG) is an immediate response to an unsafe condition in the aircraft or environment. The abort assumes flight controls are responsive, and results in an immediate landing in the nearest location that is safe for bystanders and crew.
ATG Checklist
- “Abort to Ground, Abort to Ground, Abort to Ground” - ANNOUNCE
- Airspace - CLEAR
- Descend - IMMEDIATELY
- Land - IMMEDIATELY
- Command elements - NOTIFY
- Aircraft - RECOVER
Flight Termination
The MAX 4 series are equipped with an emergency flight termination mode. The flight termination sequence is appropriate when flight must end immediately to preserve safety to other aircraft. This mode will shut off power to the motors, resulting in an immediate decent into terrain. This mode cannot be cancelled once initiated.
The pilot cannot cancel the flight termination sequence, nor provide control inputs.
This mode will result in a crash as the aircraft descends on a ballistic trajectory. Flight termination should not be executed when the descending aircraft will pose risk to people, vehicles, or structures on the ground.
Flight Termination Checklist
- “Flight Termination, Flight Termination, Flight Termination” - ANNOUNCE
- Airspace - CLEAR
- Flight termination - CSC INPUT
- Command elements - NOTIFY
- Proceed to
Crash Checklist
Lost Link Procedures
Lost Link and Flyaway are similar conditions - both involve a loss of pilot direct control of the aircraft. A Lost Link results in the aircraft assuming a loiter condition, and at the end of the programmed failsafe time (60 seconds) the aircraft will begin an automated return to home (RTH) and land at the takeoff point. There is a default 240 second delay between the arrival at the launch point and the start of the landing cycle.
A Flyaway is distinguished by an immediate movement of the UA in a direction other then toward the home point. A Flyaway will result in the loss of the aircraft - not an attempted return.
The pilot should note the exact time the aircraft enters the Lost Link or Flyaway condition.
Lost Link Checklist
- “Lost Link, Lost Link, Lost Link.” - ANNOUNCE
- GCS Antenna - ALIGN / DIRECT AT UA
- Time - CHECK
- Landing Area - CLEAR
- Airspace - CLEAR
- Flight control - REGAIN
- Command elements - NOTIFY
- Auto land - MONITOR IF REQUIRED
- Location, date, time - LOGGED
Failure to regain control will result in an automated RTH to the point of launch. Ensure all crew and bystanders are aware.
Flyway Checklist
- “Flyaway. Flyaway. Flyaway.” - ANNOUNCE
- GCS Antenna - ALIGN / DIRECT AT UA
- Flight Control - REGAIN
- Master Flight Mode - RTH
- Risk Assessment - CHECK
- Command elements - NOTIFY
- Auto Land - MONITOR IF REQUIRED
- Location, Date, Time - LOGGED
- ATC - NOTIFY AS REQUIRED
- Authorities - NOTIFY AS APPROPRIATE
Fire and Crash
These procedures are in response to an incident, and are designed to mitigate ongoing risks and document the event.
Fire Checklist
- “Fire, Fire, Fire.” - ANNOUNCE
- If controllable - ABORT TO GROUND
- Motors - STOP
- Fire - EXTINGUISH
- Flight battery - SECURE
- Command elements - NOTIFY
- Authorities - CONTACT AS REQUIRED
Crash Checklist
- “Crash, crash, crash. Aircraft crashed.” - ANNOUNCE
- Command elements - NOTIFY
- Location, Date, and Time - LOGGED
- Flight battery - REMOVE AND SECURE
- Photos - TAKEN OF CRASH SITE
- Video - TAKEN OF CRASH SITE
- Aircraft - RECOVER
- Reaper - ISSUED