Drone Manufacturer: Insitu
Drone Model: ScanEagle
Country: Australia
Type: Accident
Date: 2019-01-09
Applies:
Pilot Qualifications: Unknown Status
Pilot Flight Experience: Unknown Hours
Link to External Information About This submission:
File Uploaded: None
Description
The investigation found that the blockage in the pitot-static system resulted in unreliable airspeed data being supplied to the autopilot. Unreliable airspeed data led to the X200 entering an aerodynamic stall at a height that was insufficient for recovery.
During the pre-flight checks, there were opportunities for the erroneous airspeed indications to be identified. However, they were not recognised by the crew or flagged by the ground control station.
Reported Cause
Pitot-static blockage.