AAIB investigation to Wingcopter 178 Heavylift, UAS, registration n/a

Loss of control due to ESC overheating, Mayfield Farm, Ilsley Road, Compton, Newbury, 4 September 2020

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 15 January 2021

• Category: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 4 September 2020
• Aircraft type: Wingcopter 178 Heavylift
• Location: Mayfield Farm, Ilsley Road, Compton, Newbury
• Registration: N/A

Summary:

Whilst the unmanned aircraft (UA) was climbing, in hover mode, one of the rear electronic speed controllers (ECSs) overheated causing a loss of control of its associated motor and propeller. Control of the aircraft was lost and it fell into a crop field, damaging it beyond economical repair. The manufacturer is looking to re-design the rear propellers to reduce the likelihood of the ESCs overheating.

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Wingcopter 178 Heavylift, UAS, registration n/a 01-21

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Published 15 January 2021