During a commercial construction documentation mission, the drone receives a low-battery RTH warning and lands harder than expected on uneven ground. The pilot inspects the aircraft and notices one propeller has a slight bend and one motor arm appears to have a hairline crack. The client says: 'Use your second battery and finish.' What should the remote PIC do?

Why →A bent propeller will cause vibration and potential in-flight prop failure. A cracked airframe arm may fail under flight loads, leading to catastrophic loss of control. Under 14 CFR § 107.15, the remote PIC must ensure the aircraft is in condition for safe operation before each flight. The pilot has sole authority and responsibility for the airworthiness determination. Client pressure is a recognized ADM hazard and does not override this judgment.

The trap →Successfully landing does not confirm airworthiness for the next flight. The damage occurred on landing. A 30-second hover at ground level will not reveal a prop that fractures under full flight load at altitude. The airworthiness determination under § 107.15 must be made before each flight.

Field note →Carry spare props on every commercial job. A bent prop takes 2 minutes to swap and costs under $10. If airframe structural damage is suspected, the aircraft requires a full inspection before the next flight, not just a prop swap. Document damage with photos before and after.