Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 37; Flight Crew Total 6435; Flight Crew Type 18
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft
UAV was flown on circular orbit that was within the fenced in area of ZZZ at 1;400 [feet] MSL. Up to the point of the accident; the flight lasted for about 45 minutes (approximate) with no system anomalies noted. Location of the GCS was on the center infield at ZZZ. The operation was within line of sight involving the remote pilot at the GCS; a sensor operator sitting next to the remote pilot; and three visual spotters looking at the aircraft. The first indication that an onboard system malfunction had occurred was that the camera sensor stopped working. This was closely followed by one of the spotters telling the remote pilot that the aircraft appeared to be descending. The UAV autopilot was no longer responsive to the active orbit over the cornfield inside the ZZZ area and the aircraft descended to the point of impact in a driveway. Minor ground damage; occurred during the post-crash fire.The exact cause of the loss is not clear at this time but appears to be consistent with total onboard electrical system failure. The flight was conducted in strict conformance with the manufacturer checklist and Certificate of Waiver or Authorization. The flight was conducted using waypoint orbits over the airport property coupled to the autopilot. No anomalous annunciations were indicated at the Ground Control Station prior to the aircraft becoming unresponsive.According to the Manufacturer; Aircraft X has only one main electrical bus. All electrical consumers; including the autopilot; are connected onto that bus that is driven by a single voltage regulator. Aircraft Y; according to the manufacturer; has multiple; independent electrical buses which would reduce the probability of total electrical loss to the avionics.
Remote pilot reported a complete loss of control of UAV due to electrical failure.