The following message is an announcement from Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”) concerning the results of the investigation into the cause of the minor damage sustained to the aircraft “HEXA”, developed and manufactured by U.S. company LIFT Aircraft, Inc. (hereinafter, “LIFT”). The damage occurred during one of the demonstration flights that were taking place at the EXPO Vertiport, a port within the Future Society Showcase Project at the 2025 World Expo, Japan (hereinafter, the “Osaka-Kansai Expo”); though the aircraft was able to continue flying and landed safely, an investigation was subsequently launched into the cause and potential measures to prevent recurrence. This message also contains an announcement concerning the measures now being taken to prevent recurrence, the resumption of demonstration flights, and a change involving demonstration flights of the “VX4,” which was developed and manufactured by U.K. company Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd. (hereinafter, “Vertical”).

(1) Results of the investigation into the cause and measures to prevent recurrence
As a result of the investigation (conducted by LIFT with support from Marubeni and other relevant organizations) into the cause of the minor damage sustained during the April 26 flight, it was found that a part not meeting specifications had been installed on the aircraft. Specifically, it was discovered that the parts supplier had mistakenly provided a component made of a material different from what was specified for the motor mounting area. LIFT has replaced that part on the aircraft being used for demo flights at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, re-inspected other key parts, and confirmed the aircraft’s safety. In addition, LIFT has also conducted an extensive audit of its parts receiving and quality control processes as a preventive measure, and has confirmed that necessary improvements have been made to these procedures. 
Marubeni is in the process of making thorough final confirmations with the relevant organizations, with safety as our priority, and test flights planned to take place shortly. Pending test flight results, Marubeni plans to resume demonstration flights with the approval of the relevant organizations. Marubeni will make a further announcement regarding if and when demonstration flights will resume at a later date.

(2) Demonstration flights of Vertical’s VX4 aircraft
Marubeni, in collaboration with Vertical, was hoping to conduct demonstration flights of the VX4 aircraft prototype at the Osaka-Kansai Expo starting in October. However, in consideration of the current status of the piloted flight testing that is taking place in the U.K., it has been decided that these demonstration flights will not take place at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, we plan to offer visitors the opportunity to experience what it is like onboard in the cabin of the VX4, which is manufactured by Vertical, at the “Advanced Air Mobility Station” starting in August. This experience is designed to showcase what comfortable air travel could look like in the future.

LIFT Overview
Company Name:	LIFT Aircraft, Inc.
Head Office:	Austin, Texas, United States.
Establishment:	2017
Representative:	Matt Chasen (Founder & CEO)
Main Business:	Development, manufacture, and sale of single-occupancy ultralight aircraft
Website:	https://www.liftaircraft.com
Vertical Overview
Company Name:	Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd.
Head Office:	Bristol, United Kingdom
Establishment:	2016
Representative:	Stuart Simpson (CEO)
Main Business:	Development, manufacture and sale of eVTOL
Website:	https://vertical-aerospace.com

Related News Releases:
•May 7, 2025
Announcement of Partial Damage to the eVTOL during a Demonstration Flight at the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2025/release/00019.html

•April 15, 2025
Marubeni Successfully Conducts eVTOL Demonstration Flight at the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2025/info/00022.html