Etawah (UP), April 5 An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype from aviation startup LAT Aerospace crashed into a field near a village here after it lost control during a test flight from the Safai airstrip, officials said.
The incident occurred on Friday evening after the company, with prior permission from the Civil Aviation Department, was conducting a test of its UAV prototype at the Saifai airstrip.
During the test, the aerial vehicle developed a mechanical malfunction and went out of control before crashing into a field near the Nandpur village, they said.
Locals rushed to the spot after spotting the aircraft lying in the field and alerted the police. A police team reached the site promptly and secured the wreckage with assistance from a fire brigade.
Additional District Magistrate Abhinav Ranjan Srivastava said on Saturday that LAT Aerospace was granted prior approval to use the Saifai airstrip for testing its UAV prototype.
He added that the crash occurred due to a technical fault during the test.
"No loss of life or damage to standing crops has been reported. There is no threat to public safety or law and order," the official said.
In a post on X, LAT Aerospace said the crash took place during a ground roll test and was caused by strong winds leading to loss of control.
The company said it has contacted the farmer whose crop was affected and ensured full compensation.