The AAIB has printed a report into an accident involving an VA-1X (G-EVTL), which suffered a pressured touchdown following energy unit failure, Cotswold Airport (Kemble), Gloucestershire, 9 August 2023.
Synopsis
The plane was being flown by a distant pilot on a check flight at 30 ft agl when a propeller blade indifferent from the electrical propulsion unit 3 ahead motor as a result of a failure of the adhesive bond between the propeller blade sheath and spar. Giant out-of-balance hundreds generated by the blade launch brought about structural failure of the fitting inboard pylon, leading to harm to the plane’s wiring harnesses. This brought about a lack of thrust from motors 4 and seven. While the plane’s flight management system was in a position to preserve a degree perspective, the excessive charge of descent brought on by the lack of vertical thrust resulted in substantial harm to the plane when it struck the bottom.
The plane producer was, on the time of the accident, within the means of introducing a blade design that, amongst different issues, eradicated the bonding failure mode that brought about the blade launch. The producer’s investigation recognized 36 product and course of enhancements ensuing from findings of the investigation.
