Blaze Broke Out During Ground Testing Of The Aircraft
The Eviation Alice all-electric airplane was damaged by an electric fire Thursday at Prescott Regional Airport (KPRC) in Arizona.
The nine-seat commuter aircraft that is being developed by the Israeli company was scheduled for a first flight later this year. In a news release, the Prescott fire department said that the department was on standby for the planned test and quickly extinguished the fire, which broke out at about 6:30 p.m. No injuries were reported. Area residents were informed by the Code Red System and additional fire public safety units were dispatched as precautionary measures. No commercial flights were impacted, and airport operations returned to normal by 9:00 p.m.
According to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Eviation said in a statement that the fire originated in a "ground-based battery system." The company has launched an investigation into the incident. “Eviation would like to thank the fire department and the staff of Prescott airport for their ongoing support and assistance in quickly resolving this incident. We will fully investigate this matter as quickly as possible. In the meantime, I thank my colleagues for their pioneering work as we develop one of the most advanced aircraft in the world," said Eviation CEO, Omer Bar-Yohay.
The aircraft is reportedly "intact" following the fire. However, video posted on the Internet by Prescott News would suggest that the airplane suffered extensive damage.
Alice is powered by three MagniX electric motors. A similar motor has been retrofitted in a de Havilland Beaver float plane.
(Image provided by the Prescott, AZ Fire Department)
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