Vertical Aerospace eVTOL Prototype Goes Down During Uncrewed Test Flight

The company confirmed the August 9 accident in an SEC filing, and photos show significant damage to the aircraft.

Jack Daleo

Monday, August 14, 2023 at 05:19 PM ET

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Vertical’s VX4 prototype, registered as G-EVTL, went down at Cotswold Airport last week. [Courtesy: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Vertical Aerospace's VX4 eVTOL prototype crashed during an uncrewed test flight on August 9, suffering significant damage during a motor failure test scenario.
The incident has led to a pause in flight testing for Vertical Aerospace's sole prototype and prompted an investigation, likely further delaying its already extended 2026 certification target.
This setback could exacerbate the company's financial challenges, as it needs additional capital to fund future activities and development.
The crash underscores broader development hurdles in the Advanced Air Mobility industry, where other eVTOL manufacturers have also experienced accidents and certification delays.

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An accident last week involving an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could add a few suspicious glares to the wide eyes anticipating the birth of advanced air mobility (AAM) services.

On August 9, an eVTOL made by U.K.-based manufacturer Vertical Aerospace—a prototype of the company’s VX4, registered as G-EVTL—came down during an uncrewed test flight at Cotswold Airport (EGBP) in England. As reported by the U.K.’s Pilot, an airfield source claimed the aircraft was conducting inflight shutdowns when it impacted from about 20 feet high.