Italian authorities probe crash of Hero UAV

<p><strong>Italy&rsquo;s ANSV air accident investigation board has opened an inquiry after an accident involving an SD-150 Hero unmanned air vehicle at Siena&rsquo;s Ampugnano airport.</strong></p> <p><strong>Manufactured and operated by Sistemi Dinamici and bearing the registration I-UASC, the Hero was damaged in the 12 April incident while performing a test flight, says ANSV.</strong></p> <p>However, it does not provide additional details on the damage sustained or the nature of the flight and accident.</p> <p><img alt="Asset Image" src="https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=66692" style="margin:0px" /></p> <p>The rotary-winged Hero has a 150kg (330lb) maximum take-off weight and stated endurance of 5h with a 15kg payload. It is powered by a 50hp (36kW) two-stroke engine.</p> <p>Sistemi Dinamici is a joint venture between Finmeccanica Helicopters and Pisa-headquartered IDS, created in 2006.</p> <p>Finmeccanica has recently begun heavily promoting the SD-150 as it looks to advance its credentials in the rotary UAV market. Indeed, the Hero involved in the Siena accident was displayed on the manufacturer&rsquo;s Dubai air show static exhibit, next to its C-27J medium transport.</p> <p>No-one from the company was immediately available to comment on the incident.</p>