Lessons Learned From an Electric Airplane Accident

Investigators make safety recommendations after ZeroAvia’s forced landing.

Thom Patterson

Monday, July 11, 2022 at 01:22 PM ET

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The accident occurred as the modified Piper Malibu Mirage lined up for landing. [Courtesy: AAIB]

Key Takeaways:

An electric-powered ZeroAvia test aircraft made a forced landing after losing power due to inverters locking out during a power source switch from battery to hydrogen fuel cell, caused by windmilling propellers generating an overvoltage.
Key contributing factors included insufficient ground testing for windmilling propeller back voltage, a poorly designed cockpit display that obscured critical information from the pilot, and lapses in safety procedures and competent person oversight.
ZeroAvia has acknowledged and "robustly addressed" the issues identified, implementing changes to its safety culture, organizational structure, and future technical designs to embed lessons learned.
The incident underscores the significant challenges and continuous learning required for the electric aviation industry to achieve viable and reliable environmentally friendly flight.

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Leading electric airplane developer ZeroAvia says it has “addressed robustly” many issues contributing to an accident of a modified Piper Malibu Mirage (PA-46-350P) propelled by two electric motors.

In the April 2021 event, the airplane lost power during a flight test, causing a forced landing just outside Cranfield Airport (EGTC), in Bedfordshire, England. Neither member of the two-person flight crew was injured in the accident.