The historic solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2, which completed a groundbreaking round-the-world journey without jet fuel in 2016, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a military-related mission.
The owner of the solar aircraft, Skydweller Aero, confirmed the incident in an official statement issued to the public.
Originally flown by Swiss pilots Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, Solar Impulse 2 gained worldwide recognition after completing a 26,700-mile journey across four continents, two oceans, and three seas entirely on solar energy. The aircraft completed the historic mission in 2016 without consuming any jet fuel, marking a major milestone in sustainable aviation technology.
Mission Ends in Controlled Ditching
Skydweller Aero purchased Solar Impulse 2 in 2019 and later transformed the aircraft into an unmanned solar-powered drone. According to the company, the aircraft departed from Stennis on April 26 as part of a US Navy exercise. However, the mission ended on May 4 when the aircraft performed what the company described as a “controlled ditching” into the Gulf of Mexico.
Despite the crash, Skydweller Aero highlighted the mission’s achievements and called the operation a technological success. The company stated that the aircraft completed a record-breaking continuous flight lasting eight days and 14 minutes. Officials said the mission demonstrated the practicality of perpetual solar-powered flight in environments relevant to military operations.
Investigation Into Aircraft Crash Begins
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the crash or whether technical failures contributed to the accident.
