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Flying Car Crashes During Test Run

The Detroit Flying Cars WD-1 prototype suffered substantial damage during a test flight at the Willow Run Airport. Detroit Flying Car/Facebook
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Detroit Flying Cars' WD-1 sustained significant damage and its pilot was injured during a high-speed taxi test on December 14 when the aircraft unexpectedly lifted off and made a hard impact.
  • The mishap occurred at Willow Run Airport (KYIP), with the owner and designer, Sanjay Dhall, piloting the vehicle, which had only recently received a special airworthiness certificate for testing.
  • Despite the incident, the company plans to repair the WD-1 and continue its test program for the vehicle, which is designed to fly at 125 mph with a 400-mile range and operate as an electric ground vehicle.
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While the flying car is not a new concept, with the first example emerging in the 1940s, no company has of yet succeeded in producing a viable model. However, there are several companies currently working hard at the idea. This week, Detroit, Michigan-based Detroit Flying Cars had a mishap during a test flight, causing major damage to the aircraft.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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