Prototype AW609 Crashes

摘要

Two AgustaWestland test pilots were killed when one of the AW609 tiltrotor prototypes crashed in Italy on October 30. The aircraft was destroyed when it came down during a test flight from the manufacturer's facility at Vergiate, west of Milan, killing Herbert Moran and Pietro Venanzi. Italian media reports quoted eyewitnesses who said they heard an explosion and saw debris fall from the aircraft as it flew over the town of Santhia. It then plunged into a field in an uninhabited area and burst into flames. AgustaWestland said it is co-operating with the authorities to determine the cause of the accident. Italian air accident investigation agency ANSV confirmed the aircraft involved was N609AG (c 60002), the second prototype.