The prototype VX4, Vertical Aerospace’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, crashed during a test flight over Cotswold Airport in England on Wednesday.
According to Pilotweb, the aircraft with registration G-EVTL fell from a height of approximately six meters (20 feet) while performing an unmanned flight test. Footage from the site shared by the website shows the eVTOL with significant structural damage.
Vertical Aerospace, in response to Flight Global, confirmed the VX4 accident. According to the company, the crash happened “occurred during an uncrewed test of the aircraft’s maneuverability during a motor failure test scenario, which is a key requirement to progress to crewed operations.”
The company reported that there were no injuries at the scene of the incident, but did not provide details on the damage suffered by the eVTOL used in the tests.
The accident comes days after Vertical Aerospace announced a major milestone in the VX4 test drive. Last month, for example, the aircraft made its first untethered flight.
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Vertical also recently revealed that it is working on certification and validation for commercial use of the device with five aviation authorities in different countries.
