Flying Car Crashes During High-Speed Taxi Test, Pilot Rushed To Emergency Room

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Detroit Flying Cars is one of the many hopefuls aiming to fly a car. The group suffered a setback as its owner and designer, Sanjay Dhall, tested its high-speed taxi and crashed in the early afternoon on December 14, 2018, at the Willow Run Airport (KYIP).

The aircraft crashed with a hard impact, ripping off the front section. He was transported to the University of Michigan. There is no news as to his condition.

The WD01 suffered major damage. As you can see from the video, the front wing (canard) snapped off the flying car.

So far, we know that Sanjay wasn’t trying take-off with the WD1. He was only testing a high-speed taxi test and only planning on lifting the front two wheels off the ground. Unfortunately, the WD-1 became airborne and hard crashed soon after.

Detroit Flying Cars WD1 Detroit Flying Cars WD1 Detroit Flying Cars WD1Who can spot the oddity here? Hint: the wing configuration.

Who Is Detroit Flying Cars?

Detroit Flying Cars has been working on a flying concept for some time. Sanjay says he has worked for Detroit’s auto companies for three decades and flown model airplanes, full-size airplanes, ultralight, hang glider, experimental, and home-built as well. He designed and owns the Detroit Fling Cars WD1. The FAA granted Detroit Flying Cars the Special Airworthiness Certificate on July 19, 2018.

Detroit Flying Cars WD1

The hybrid WD1 uses a 100 HP internal combustion engine (ICE) for flights and a 40 kW electric motor for land mobility. The WD1 should reach 125 mph (~200 km/h and ~109 knots) with a range of 400 miles (644 kilometers, 348 nm). Its range is about 50 miles but can be extended to 400 miles when recharging the electric motor battery pack with an ICE engine.

David Han, Sanjay’s business partner, told the Detroit Free Press the aircraft had conducted two previous successful taxi tests and that: “It actually took flight, which was more than he had planned for.”

The startup plans on repairing the WD1 prototype and continuing to test its design.

Flying Cars Or Road-Worthy Airplanes?

Reading, watching, and talking to experts on the latest electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) news, the convergence of air and road is apparent and is happening faster than previously thought. So my next question will be, is it better to design a car that can fly or an aircraft that can drive?

In the meantime, we hope Sanjay Dhall’s condition is good and that he continues with his air mobility dreams.

Via Flying


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Nicolas Zart

Nicolas was born and raised around classic cars of the 1920s, but it wasn't until he drove an AC Propulsion eBox and a Tesla Roadster that the light went on. Ever since he has produced green mobility content on various CleanTech outlets since 2007 and found his home on CleanTechnica. He grew up in an international environment and his communication passion led to cover electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, test drives, podcasts, shoot pictures, and film for various international outlets in print and online. Nicolas offers an in-depth look at the e-mobility world through interviews and the many contacts he has forged in those industries. His favorite taglines are: "There are more solutions than obstacles." and "Yesterday's Future Now"

Nicolas Zart has 572 posts and counting. See all posts by Nicolas Zart