Heliport
24th Apr 2002, 07:24
Agusta issued a statement today confirming that one of its pre-production AB139s crashed on a test flight yesterday with one fatality.
A company spokesman said: ‘Agusta is deeply saddened to learn of the accident occurred around 10:45a.m. on Monday April 22, 2001, involving the first pre-production AB139. One of the two crewmembers is confirmed dead. The Italian Authorities will conduct the accident investigation. Agusta will assist in any possible way.’
Other sources indicate that both crewmembers parachuted out of the aircraft, prototype 01, which was operating in the vicinity of Monteleone ( Cesena ) and that the pilot landed safely, but the flight test engineer died.
Our condolences to the family and friends of the flight test engineer.