Skyfly Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX suffers hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome during test flight, substantial damage
[MALFUNCTION]Apr 22, 2025 · Skyfly · Axe · Drones
Failure Mode
MALFUNCTION
Event Date
Apr 22, 2025
Primary Entity
Skyfly
Robotic Platform
Axe
Jurisdiction / Location
Drones
Audit Standard
Physical State Verified
Incident Abstract & Audit Findings
On April 22, 2025, the Skyfly Technologies Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX (MSN 001) suffered substantial damage in a hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire, during a test flight. The aircraft suddenly rolled left and pitched down due to loss of power to two motors on the same side, creating thrust asymmetry.
System & Fleet Architecture
Operating Manufacturer
Hardware Platform
Operational Sectors
Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings
- Inspect Filing
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/566810
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/566810
Related Incidents & Failure Precedents
6 records on file- Amazon Prime Air drone drops package into Texas backyard pool[MALFUNCTION]
Aug 18, 2026 · Amazon · Amazon Astro · Seattle
Details - Long March 7A rocket fails during ChinaSat-4B satellite launch from Wenchang[MALFUNCTION]
Aug 10, 2026 · China National Space Administration · Yutu-2 Rover · The Moon
Details - NEURA Robotics 4NE-1 humanoid collapsed on stage during Qualcomm keynote at Computex 2026 in Taipei[MALFUNCTION]
Aug 1, 2026 · NEURA Robotics · 4NE-1 · Herzogenaurach, Germany
Details - Katalyst Space LINK spacecraft tumbling out of control after reaction wheel failures during NASA Swift Observatory mission[MALFUNCTION]
Jul 26, 2026 · Katalyst Space Technologies · LINK · United States (multiple hotel chains)
Details - Multiple Waymo robotaxis stranded with dead batteries during July 4 San Francisco traffic gridlock[MALFUNCTION]
Jul 4, 2026 · Waymo · Waymo Driver (6th gen) · Sacramento, California, USA
Details - NOMAD UGV flips onto side when transport trailer ramp fails during Army exercise[MALFUNCTION]
Jul 1, 2026 · Hendrick Technical Solutions · NOMAD · Fort Irwin, California, USA
Details
Incident Context & FAQ
What happened in Skyfly Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX suffers hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome during test flight, substantial damage?
On April 22, 2025, the Skyfly Technologies Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX (MSN 001) suffered substantial damage in a hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire, during a test flight. The aircraft suddenly rolled left and pitched down due to loss of power to two motors on the same side, creating thrust asymmetry. The pilot selected all motors to idle to recover controlled flight, then was forced into a glide approach. The aircraft landed hard, short of the runway threshold and close to another aircraft. No injuries reported. AAIB conducted a Record Only investigation. The aircraft was deregistered from the UK (27 June 2025) and transferred to the USA, reportedly repaired/rebuilt as N250EV, and resumed flight testing in the USA from mid-October 2025.
When did this incident occur?
The incident is recorded as occurring on April 22, 2025 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.
What robot was involved in Skyfly Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX suffers hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome during test flight, substantial damage?
Axe is the recorded robot involved in this incident.
Has anyone responded to Skyfly Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX suffers hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome during test flight, substantial damage?
No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.
What is the current status of Skyfly Axe VCA prototype G-SFAX suffers hard landing at Turweston Aerodrome during test flight, substantial damage?
This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.