An announcement in which it explains the circumstances under which the drone fell, from which it is estimated that yesterday’s fire in Glyka Nera broke out, is given by the manufacturing company.

This is the high-tech company Spirit Aeronautical Systems SA. (SAS), which is based in Glyka Nera and which attributes the downing of the drone to “severe and unforeseeable involvement” and specifically as he says “ignition from the detached battery, which hit the ground causing spark and ignition in low grasses».

She points out that she had taken all the safety measures and emphasizes that her staff immediately called the Fire Department.

She emphasizes that she assumes the responsibilities that will be attributed to her, while she commits to review all her procedures.

The company’s announcement in detail:

“The high-tech company Spirit Aeronautical Systems S.A. on the occasion of the incident of a Drone falling in the area of ​​Glyke Nera Attica, it would like to responsibly inform about the following:

a. In the development program of the unmanned systems that it has in progress, since its establishment in 2020, it has carried out with various types of multicopters, a large number of safe flights, some of which also concern weapon firings that took place at ED shooting ranges. The safety of flights in all cases is ensured by following risk identification (Risk Identification) and mitigation measures (Mitigation Measures) methodologies, while its systems have the necessary insurance coverage.

b. With the exception of the 3-7-24 incident, he has not faced such a case again.

c. The development process of unmanned systems, especially vehicles intended for defense purposes, requires test flights to evaluate multi-parameter settings, in order for the system to operate according to international practice standards and protocols (State of the art), so that reliable systems can be delivered to the market .

d. Analyzing the exact causes of the Drone crash on 3-7-24, requires a thorough technical analysis of all systems to identify the causes that caused the crash. The first assessment from the data available so far, is that the Drone in this particular flight, after a series of tests without any apparent problem, presented flight instability (sudden changes in the angle of inclination), as a result of which it became uncontrollable by the operator. The possible causes may be due to a multitude of possible malfunctions, such as momentary loss of data of some basic flight sensors (gyroscopes, accelerometers, barometers, GNSS receivers, etc.). In any case, the fact that the particular drone showed instability that led to the fall, leads to the conclusion that, beyond all doubt, its overall multiparameter power and control system, presented some serious and unpredictable jamming, which deprived the operator of the ability to control it and land it in a controlled manner.

e. It is pointed out that the occurrence of instability in unmanned systems in the development phase is one of the possibilities of failure, which is taken into account in the design of tests and measures are taken to limit the risk. In this particular flight, among the measures taken by the Company, for reasons of risk reduction, the following are also included:

1) Have a second person in the crew team so that there is a possibility
operator supervision and intervention in case of emergency.

2) Choose for the execution of the flight a day with the lowest risk index
for summer season. (Danger index for forest fires category 2 d
3-7-24)

3) Provide for a fire extinguisher corresponding to the size of the vehicle (Drone)
and used him.

4) It had the mission designed for flight over space without vegetation, but because of it
instability the drone drifted to its limits.

5) Had an emergency plan which he implemented consistently (Immediate PS notification,
informing the company about reinforcements).

6) The flight area is one of the very few in the wider area that combines it
ability to perform drone flights at a low height (<120m) and at a sufficient distance from the
urban tissue.

f. Company personnel, immediately after the Drone fell, observed ignition from the detached battery, which hit the ground, sparking and igniting low grass. The staff immediately tried to contain the ignition, using a fire extinguisher and with whatever other means they had available, including on foot. At the same time, a member of the team immediately informed the Fire Service (call times from mobile numbers given to the PS) and the following actions were taken in chronological order:

1) 14:15, Drop time,
2) 14:18, Call Time 199.
3) 14:20, The Company was informed, a group from which it started immediately for the area with
additional fire extinguishers.
4) 14:24 New call 199.
5) 14:31 Arrival of a support group in which a representative of the Administration also participated
Company (7 minutes after the call). It was found that the fire department had already arrived
vehicle and was starting the extinguishing operation that had extended to the first two large ones
pine trees.
6) The first operation from the first aerial followed in a very short time
fire extinguisher.
7) The whole team (4 people) of the Company, (the crew and the next arrivals for
support), were constantly present in the field and voluntarily put themselves at their disposal
authorities for the prescribed procedures.

g. The Company expresses its great regret and assumes the responsibilities that will be attributed to it for the accident. However, in her opinion, this is due to causes that could not be predicted and prevented. However, it is emphasized that the risk is in no case completely eliminated, it is simply limited to an extent that is considered acceptable. Additionally, as part of its normal accident prevention practice, the Company will review all of its procedures to determine if, and to what extent, it could further enhance the safety of the tests it performs. It is pointed out that all unmanned vehicles have the potential to be involved in a corresponding incident (as well as manned ones), but the benefit from their use compensates for this risk. In particular, when it comes to the development of systems of a new technology for our country, the dilemma arises between the need to develop the specific domestic industry and any perceived risk this entails. It is our hope that the conditions will be created in our country, the tests for the development of such systems, to be carried out in special fields with greater security, especially when they concern systems of defense interest.

h. In addition to the above, we would like to express our sincere thanks and sincere congratulations to the intervention and incident management forces of the Fire Department, together with our assurance that we will make every effort to identify the causes of the specific failure that led to this incident”.