First Of Their Two Second Generation, Pre-Production Prototype Flight Test Aircraft
Analysis: On February 16, 2022, Joby Aero Inc. was conducting planned, remotely piloted, airspeed and altitude envelope expansion flight tests on aircraft JAS4-2, the first of their two second generation, pre-production prototype flight test aircraft. The envelope expansion flight test conditions were beyond the expected operating conditions of the aircraft. During the second test flight, and after reaching a maximum dive speed of 181 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) at an altitude of approximately 8,900 feet, a propeller blade on propulsion station 3 (located on the right wing inboard) experienced a bending failure near the root of the blade which