Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

An uncrewed eVTOL aircraft prototype built by Israeli start-up Air crashed Thursday afternoon in South Florida, according to the NTSB, which has opened an investigation into the accident.
According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NTSB_Newsroom/status/1981467271802351754">NTSB statement</a>, the aircraft was “consumed by post-crash fire” when it crashed for unknown reasons in a field near the rural community of Indiantown, Florida, about 40 miles northwest of West Palm Beach. No injuries have been reported.&nbsp;
The ill-fated aircraft was likely the two-seat technology demonstrator for which the FAA recently issued an <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-09-02/faa-grants-experimental-airworthiness-certification-air-one">experimental airworthiness certificate</a>. Registered N514AX, the aircraft was a precursor to the Air One eVTOL model that the company intends to offer as a two-seater for personal transportation or as <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-07-03/air-one-evtol-poised-both-uncrewed-and-private-pilot-roles">an uncrewed platform</a> for utility roles.
When it announced issuance of the special airworthiness certificate in early September, Air said it had begun flight testing the aircraft at a new facility near Florida’s West Palm Beach, which the Israel-based company is positioning as a key hub for its U.S. expansion. In July, the company announced it had raised $23 million in a Series A funding round aimed at accelerating this expansion.
Air has been <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-12-20/air-one-personal-evtol-aircraft-aces-first-transition-flight-test">flying a similar eVTOL demonstrator</a> in northern Israel since 2022, including night trials for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. By next year, the company aims to get FAA approval under the new Mosaic special airworthiness rules for light sport aircraft.
Earlier this week, Air had been conducting live flight demonstrations with the aircraft at Indiantown Airport (X58), showcasing the technology for a small crowd of local government representatives, partners, customers, and investors. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the circumstances surrounding the crash.&nbsp;

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Air One eVTOL Prototype Crashes in Florida

No injuries reported in crash of uncrewed test aircraft

An uncrewed eVTOL aircraft prototype built by Israeli start-up Air crashed in southwestern Florida on October 23.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Gordon Gilbert

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Hawker took off without clearance and hit a Citation Mustang at a runway intersection

Expectation Bias, Distraction Led to Runway Collision

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Runway excursions account for a third of business aviation accidents

AINsight: What’s Going On with Bizav Runway Excursions?

But U.S. business jet accidents and fatalities are down YOY

Bizav Accident Fatalities Climb 24% in First Nine Months

Matt Thurber

Complaint alleges Naples accident caused by corrosion of engines’ variable guide vane systems  

Hop-A-Jet Files Lawsuit against OEMs, Service Providers

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, October 2025

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: October 2025

Jennifer Meszaros

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Accidents

Expectation Bias, Distraction Led to Runway Collision

Hawker took off without clearance and hit a Citation Mustang at a runway intersection

AINsight: What’s Going On with Bizav Runway Excursions?

Runway excursions account for a third of business aviation accidents

Bizav Accident Fatalities Climb 24% in First Nine Months

But U.S. business jet accidents and fatalities are down YOY

Hop-A-Jet Files Lawsuit against OEMs, Service Providers

Complaint alleges Naples accident caused by corrosion of engines’ variable guide vane systems

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: October 2025

Preliminary and final accident reports, October 2025

No Answers Yet About Xpeng's eVTOL Accident at Chinese Air Show

Chinese company has not explained how two aircraft collided

Citation Overruns Runway, Strikes Kentucky Home

Sheriff says resident unhurt after home struck

Quartering Tailwind Landing Led to PC-12 Excursion

Aircraft was substantially damaged after overrunning runway at Las Vegas-area airport

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN