AutoFlight’s CarryAll eVTOL supports emergency response at Wuhan river festival

AutoFlight’s CarryAll uncrewed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has made history as the first large eVTOL platform to be deployed for open-water rescue standby operations. The milestone was marked during the 50th Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing Festival, a major public event involving over 2,000 swimmers crossing the Yangtze River.

As part of a coordinated ‘water, land and air’ emergency response system, CarryAll operated alongside water police speedboats and ground medical teams, providing aerial surveillance and standby rescue support. The event served as a live testbed for the potential of eVTOL technology in real-world emergency scenarios.

CarryAll’s vertical takeoff and landing capability enabled it to respond rapidly from any location, while its multipurpose design allowed for diverse mission profiles. It is equipped to drop two life rafts, supporting up to 20 people, and can also deploy fire extinguishing canisters or deliver emergency supplies.

This marks not only a technological first, but also a major step in validating the practical use of ton-level eVTOL platforms in complex rescue environments. AutoFlight confirmed that the aircraft completed the world’s first full-scale rescue drill involving a heavy-lift eVTOL over open water.

AutoFlight recently secured a ¥157 million (US$21.5 million) order for 12 large eVTOL aircraft from Wuhan Hanyang Investment Development Group.