Air Accidents Investigators Expect Final Word On Hydrogen Demonstrator Later This Year

Zero Avia's Hydrogen test bed crash of 2021 has been somewhat updated as the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch has announced the completion of its interim report on the incident. 

Until recently, details remained somewhat elusive, with the Branch only mentioning that the plane, a hybrid aircraft powered by electric motors and hydrogen fuel cells, had lost power to the electrical motors. Prior to the loss, as was now disclosed, the test regimen required the battery power to be shut off, leaving the electric motors powered solely by the hydrogen fuel cell. The aircraft, an experimental Piper M350, underwent a forced landing in a field near the airport, coming out much worse for wear.

Responders from Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue published images of the aircraft last year, showing a fairly roughed up plane with a sheared off left wing, damaged empennage, and collapsed gear. The test ended without harm to those aboard, as they were able to quickly extricate themselves from the craft before crews even arrived. It seems that ZeroAvia has largely lost interest in the Piper Meridian platform as a test bed, looking to establish their bonafides for hybrid commuter aircraft instead.

On the bright side, the incident proved to some extent that the hydrogen fuel cells were able to maintain patency during a nonstandard landing. Then again, that data point is probably not worth the cost, if the Zero Avia accounting department were to say. 

Moving on from the Piper, their focus now surrounds the larger twin-engine systems, using a converted Dornier 228. That solution results in a little more capability for the manufacturer, hopefully allowing them to offer a 19-seat hydrogen/electric commuter by 2024, if all goes smoothly. 

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch says that the final, full report should be completed later this year. 

FMI: www.zeroavia.com