AAIB investigation to Believer (UAS, registration N/A) 020520

UAS crashed shortly after takeoff because the operator turned the transmitter off, Solent Airport, 2 May 2020.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 8 October 2020

• Category: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 2 May 2020
• Aircraft type: Believer
• Location: Solent Airport, Hampshire
• Registration: n/a

Summary:

The flight was part of a test programme prior to the start of commercial operations to the Isle of Wight.

The accident UAS was considerably smaller than the production aircraft but it was representative in terms of the avionics and communications. It crashed shortly after taking off because the safety pilot switched the radio control transmitter off before the automatic flight control system was engaged. Several safety actions have been undertaken by the operator because of this accident.

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Believer, (UAS registration N/A) 10-20

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 8 October 2020