Mumbai, January 5: Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato (now Eternal), has shared a major update regarding his aviation venture, LAT Aerospace. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Goyal confirmed that the company's first prototype aircraft, the Lat One v0.1, performed a test flight demonstrating ultra-short take-off and landing (uSTOL) capabilities, but crashed shortly after take-off due to known structural issues. Despite the loss, Goyal described the event as a significant milestone, emphasizing that the crash was an expected outcome based on pre-flight simulations.

The test flight was conducted to validate the prototype's ultra-short take-off capabilities. While the aircraft successfully demonstrated lift-off within a minimal distance, structural failure shortly after caused the crash. Goyal addressed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the engineering team had anticipated the outcome and viewed it as a vital learning step for future development. What Is the Silver Gadget on Deepinder Goyal’s Temple? Clip From Raj Shamani’s Podcast Sparks Curiosity Among Netizens.

"uSTOL achieved. Achievement unlocked", Says Deepinder Goyal for Lat One v0.1 Test Flight

LAT Aerospace Achieves Ultra-Short Take-Off Milestone

The primary objective of the January 4 test flight was to prove that the Lat One v0.1 could perform an ultra-short take-off, a critical feature for the startup’s vision of enhancing regional connectivity. Goyal shared video footage of the event, celebrating the successful take-off as an “achievement unlocked.” This uSTOL technology allows aircraft to operate from compact airstrips as small as parking lots, bypassing the need for traditional, expansive airport infrastructure.

Deepinder Goyal Says Crash Expected, Part of Iterative Development

Deepinder Goyal highlighted that the crash was anticipated due to pre-identified structural defects. He explained that simulations had already flagged these issues, and the team deliberately followed a build-break-repeat philosophy to identify limits in a controlled environment. This approach is central to LAT Aerospace’s development strategy, allowing engineers to refine aircraft design safely.

LAT Aerospace Company Background and Funding

LAT Aerospace was co-founded in early 2025 by Deepinder Goyal and former Zomato COO Surobhi Das. Goyal has reportedly invested around $20 million of personal capital into the venture, which aims to revolutionize regional air travel in India by utilizing underused airstrips for STOL operations. The company currently operates out of a flight laboratory in Gurugram. Jetson ONE Brings the Future of Personal Flight Closer, One-Handed eVTOL Lets Everyday Commuters Fly Like Pilots (Video).

Future Plans: Lat One v0.2 and Beyond

Following the v0.1 test flight, LAT Aerospace has shifted focus to the next iteration, Lat One v0.2, designed to complete a full mission cycle including successful landing. The company is also exploring hybrid-electric propulsion systems to enhance range and payload capacity. Long-term ambitions include developing regional 8–24 seat aircraft, aiming to expand India’s domestic aviation capabilities.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).