AAIB Report: Alauda Airspeeder Mk II, loss of control resulting in a fly-away and eventual crash
Control of a prototype unmanned aircraft, an Alauda Airspeeder Mk II, was lost resulting in a fly-away and eventual crash, Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex, 4 July 2019.
Whilst performing a demonstration flight at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex on 4 July 2019 the remote pilot lost control of the 95 kg unmanned aircraft, an Alauda Airspeeder Mk II scale demonstrator.
After the loss of control had been confirmed by the remote pilot, the safety 鈥榢ill switch鈥� was operated but had no effect. 皇冠体育app unmanned aircraft then climbed to approximately 8,000 ft, entering controlled airspace at a holding point for flights arriving at Gatwick Airport, before its battery depleted and it fell to the ground. It crashed in a field of crops approximately 40m from occupied houses and 700m outside of its designated operating area. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
皇冠体育app AAIB found that the Airspeeder Mk II was not designed, built or tested to any recognisable engineering or airworthiness standards, and that its design and build quality were poor. 皇冠体育app operator鈥檚 Operating Safety Case contained errors and inaccuracies. 皇冠体育app Civil Aviation Authority鈥檚 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit had assessed the operator鈥檚 application and, after clarification and amendment of some aspects, issued an exemption to the Air Navigation Order to allow demonstration flights in accordance with the operator鈥檚 Operating Safety Case. 皇冠体育app Civil Aviation Authority did not inspect the Airspeeder Mk II before doing so.
皇冠体育app Civil Aviation Authority and the organisation which designed and operated the Airspeeder MK II have subsequently introduced measures to address a number of issues identified during the course of the investigation. In addition to the actions already taken, this investigation report makes 15 Safety Recommendations regarding airworthiness standards, safety management and the regulatory oversight of unmanned aircraft systems.
Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents said: 鈥溁使谔逵齛pp innovative development of unmanned aircraft systems continues to be rapid, and the exploitation of these technologies in a wide variety of novel applications is remarkable. However, this is not completely without risk to the general public. Thankfully there were no injuries caused by this accident but the potential for a more serious outcome was clear. This accident demonstrates why it is so important that manufacturers, operators and regulators of unmanned aircraft ensure they are airworthy and operated in a safe and appropriate manner. 皇冠体育app investigation has provided a rich opportunity to learn and many safety actions have been taken or recommended to improve the safety of unmanned aviation.鈥�
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