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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 28, 2025 · Pyka Pelican · N939NP

Dixon, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2025
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dixon, CA
Aircraft
Pyka Pelican (2023)
Tail Number
N939NP
Operator
Pyka
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA25LA174

A Pyka Inc. unmanned aircraft system (model name Pelican, type: airplane) sustained substantial damage during a flight test at the manufacturer’s test site. There were no injuries. The airplane was operating with an FAA Certificate of Authorization No. 2025-WSA-562-SAC-REV1 and operating exemption No. 23028. According to the manufacturer’s website, the airplane is designed for agricultural spraying applications. It has 4 electric motors that each drive a two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller, and has a maximum gross weight of 1,320 lbs. Figure 1. Photo of the Pelican vehicle. (Source: Pyka Inc.) According to the operator, the purpose of the flight was to test landings. Following a normal takeoff in autonomous mode, approximately two seconds into the flight, the ground control station operator issued a land command. In response, the aircraft unexpectedly reduced throttle to idle and annunciated that it had entered a takeoff abort mode. The aircraft then descended and landed abruptly on the dirt runway. The impact resulted in partial separation of the forward fuselage at the wing leading edge and buckling of the aft fuselage on the right side beneath the wing trailing edge. After the accident, the operator discovered an error in the autonomous software that resulted in the unintended behavior of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight control system’s unanticipated transition to takeoff abort mode due to a software error in the autonomous flight control system, which resulted in a premature throttle reduction and hard landing.

Full Narrative

A Pyka Inc. unmanned aircraft system (model name Pelican, type: airplane) sustained substantial damage during a flight test at the manufacturer’s test site. There were no injuries. The airplane was operating with an FAA Certificate of Authorization No. 2025-WSA-562-SAC-REV1 and operating exemption No. 23028. According to the manufacturer’s website, the airplane is designed for agricultural spraying applications. It has 4 electric motors that each drive a two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller, and has a maximum gross weight of 1,320 lbs. Figure 1. Photo of the Pelican vehicle. (Source: Pyka Inc.) According to the operator, the purpose of the flight was to test landings. Following a normal takeoff in autonomous mode, approximately two seconds into the flight, the ground control station operator issued a land command. In response, the aircraft unexpectedly reduced throttle to idle and annunciated that it had entered a takeoff abort mode. The aircraft then descended and landed abruptly on the dirt runway. The impact resulted in partial separation of the forward fuselage at the wing leading edge and buckling of the aft fuselage on the right side beneath the wing trailing edge. After the accident, the operator discovered an error in the autonomous software that resulted in the unintended behavior of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:50 PDT
Nearest AirportPVT (0nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPyka Pelican
Tail NumberN939NP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPyka
Operating RulePart 91
Engines4
Engine TypeElectric
Engine DetailsSunray Motors · DT13855-42P-6 · Electric | Sunray Motors · DT13855-42P-6 · Electric | Sunray Motors · DT13855-42P-6 · Electric
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data