AAIB investigation to Aerialtronics Altura Zenith ATX8, (UAS registration n/a) 011019

Loss of control due to magnetic interference from high voltage cables, Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire, 1 October 2019.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 14 May 2020

• Category: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 1 October 2019
• Aircraft type: Aerialtronics Altura Zenith ATX8
• Location: Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire
• Registration: n/a

Summary:

Shortly after takeoff for a flight from a road bridge above two railway tracks, the UAS in GPS mode started to drift, accelerate and descend away from the pilot. The pilot was unable to regain control before the it crashed into vegetation next to the tracks. A subsequent investigation by the operator found that magnetic deviations of up to 140° were observed over localised regions of the bridge below which the railway track’s overhead high-voltage wires were being ducted.

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Aerialtronics Altura Zenith ATX8, n/a 011019 05-20

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 14 May 2020