The UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch has slammed the company behind the development of a flying racing car series after one of its demonstrators crashed during an air show.
During the incident in July 2019 at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex the pilot lost control of the 95kg Alauda Airspeeder MKII unmanned demonstrator aircraft and the safety kill switch failed to work. The Airspeeder climbed to around 8,000ft, at which point it was in the controlled airspace of nearby Gatwick Airport, before its battery depleted and it fell into a field of crops, around 40m from occupied houses and 700m (0.5 miles) outside of its designated operating area. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
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AAIB Report Alauda Airspeeder Mk II, loss of control resulting in a fly-away and eventual crash
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 ‘kill switch’ was operated but had no effect. The 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.