Flight test of the Jetpod

[Maoraigh1]

From "The Star Online" found with Google

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/17/nation/4533356&sec=nation
Avcen Limited Malaysia is based at Patimas Technology Centre, Technology Park, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur and Dacre had intended for the eight-seater flying taxi to be ready in 2010.
The incident was witnessed by many residents including retired soldier Halim Hamid.
Halim, 50, who resides at nearby Taman Saujana Jaya said he was scooping shrimps to feed his pet fish at a pond about 50m from where the aircraft had crashed.
“Earlier, I saw it revving down the runway thrice but it could not take off and later another three times in the opposite direction.”
“However, on the fourth run, the jet took off but at about 200m high, it shot vertically to the sky before veering to the left and falling to the ground.”
“There was a loud explosion when it crashed and firemen who were at the scene managed to put out the blaze,” said Halim.[/font]
He said the Jetpod, brought in parts in a lorry container, arrived at the airstrip about a week ago.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/18/nation/4540606&sec=nation
TAIPING: No flight plan was filed for the maiden test flight of the Jetpod which crashed at the Tekah airstrip here on Sunday, killing its inventor Michael Robert Dacre.
The Civil Aviation Department said the test flight was not registered in the Civil Aircraft Register.
MCA vice chairman Datuk Ho Cheng Wang said the Tekah airstrip was no longer surrounded by jungles as in the old days.
“The airstrip is now surrounded by housing estates and who is going to be responsible had the plane crashed into some houses in the vicinity?” he asked.
The airstrip is not suitable for conducting test flights and the Civil Aviation Department should take action.
Taiping deputy OCPD Superintent Syed A. Wahab Syed A. Majid said since the airstrip was surrounded by housing schemes, advice from the police should have been sought.
“Although we are not empowered to approve or disapprove the maiden test flight, we would have studied the matter and given our views because we must also think about the safety of civilians in the vicinity,” he said.