Vu Holdings Llc/Dba Vanilla Un VA 001 N246VU

Summary

On 20 August 2025 at about 14:32 local time, a Vu Holdings Llc/Dba Vanilla Un VA 001 registered N246VU, operated by VU Holdings LLC, was involved in an accident near Ninilchik, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

20 August 2025 at 14:32

Classification

Accident

Location

Ninilchik, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.0200, -151.7100

Aircraft

Vu Holdings Llc/Dba Vanilla Un VA 001

Registration

N246VU

Category

Airplane

Year built

2021

Engines

1

Operator

VU Holdings LLC

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kenai → Kenai

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC25LA091

Nobody was injured.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On August 20, 2025, at about 0632 Alaska daylight time, a Platform Aerospace VA 001 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), N246VU, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on a beachside cliff near Ninilchik, Alaska. The aircraft was unmanned. The aircraft was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Public Use Armed Forces Aircraft on a Certificate of Authorization (COA) Waiver. According to the operator, the airplane was returning to Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai Alaska after a 72-hour continuous flight to Shemya Island. While flying over open water at an altitude of 5500 ft msl, less than an hour from its expected return, the UAS experienced a total loss of engine power and began an uncommanded descent. While troubleshooting, the flight crew was able to briefly restore partial power after opening the wing fuel drain solenoid. However, this was not enough to maintain altitude. After further attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, the flight crew shutdown the engine, to arrest the descent rate, and began a power-off glide towards shore for an off-airport emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the UAS impacted a beachside cliff which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The wreckage has been moved to a secure location, and a detailed NTSB examination is pending.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.