A tiltroter experimental
military aircraft exploded in mid-air Friday and plunged to the
ground in the northern province of Vercelli, killing two test
pilots, the Agusta Westland aviation company said.
The futuristic AW609 tiltroter prototype, described by the
company's website as a "game changer," combines the vertical
take-off of helicopters with the fixed and rotary wing flight of
aeroplanes.
Witnesses said they heard a loud bang followed by falling
wreckage.
"It was flying low over houses and was in flames," a group
of students who witnessed the accident were quoted as saying.
"The pilot was very skilful to fly it to a corn field. If it
had fallen onto the city it would have been a massacre".
"I saw a ball of fire and a very strong explosion and that
strange aeroplane falling".
Investigating magistrates in Vercelli opened an inquiry into
possible negligence causing the accident.
Judge Ezio Basso heading the probe said autopsies would be
carried out on the pilot's bodies.
The aircraft had taken off from Vergirate in Varese province
where Agusta has its headquarters, judicial sources said.
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