Deepinder Goyal Calls Prototype Crash a Step Forward for LAT Aerospace

Deepinder Goyal, co-founder of Zomato and CEO of aviation startup LAT Aerospace, has shared an update on the company’s first prototype aircraft test flight that ended in a crash, even as it demonstrated a key technological milestone. The Lat One v0.1 prototype successfully achieved ultra-short takeoff and landing (uSTOL) — its primary objective — before losing structural integrity shortly after lift-off.

Key Highlights

• LAT Aerospace’s prototype crashed after achieving uSTOL test objective, a milestone Deepinder Goyal expected.
• Goyal says the crash was anticipated and provided critical learning for the next aircraft iteration.

In a post on social media platform X, Goyal explained that engineers had already anticipated potential structural issues based on pre-flight simulations. “The plane crashed a bit later, which we knew was going to happen,” he wrote, noting that this understanding was part of the learning process in early-stage aircraft development. Despite the crash, he emphasised that proving uSTOL capability was a significant step forward for the venture.

Goyal also shared that Lat One v0.2 is already under development, with objectives to complete a full flight mission, including safe landing — a part of the engineering challenge he described as “80 % of the problem,” compared with takeoff, which he said accounted for the remaining 20 %.

Founded in early 2025 by Goyal and former Zomato executive Surobhi Das, LAT Aerospace aims to build a new class of short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft capable of operating from compact “air-stops” rather than traditional runways. The company’s vision targets future regional connectivity and short-haul logistics, with potential applications in urban air mobility and autonomous flight.

The test highlighted both progress and engineering challenges inherent in early-stage aerospace projects. While the uSTOL demonstration marks an important milestone, the crash underscores the iterative nature of aircraft development, where real-world flights provide critical data that simulations alone cannot fully capture.

Also Read: Deepinder Goyal Invites Engineers to Join LAT Aerospace Research Team

Despite the setback, Goyal framed the outcome positively, focusing on what the team has learned and how it will inform future designs. This approach reflects broader trends in deep-tech startups, where early prototypes are used to validate key technologies and guide refinements for subsequent versions.