AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor Aircraft Crashes in Northern Italy, Two Pilots Killed

The second flight-test prototype of the AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor built in 2003 crashed in northern Italy today killing both of its pilots.

A Finmeccanica statement said earlier today, "AgustaWestland confirms the loss of one prototype AW609 tiltrotor and the tragic loss of two pilots. The Company’s deepest sympathies are with the families. Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland is working with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the accident."

Italian air-accident investigation agency ANSV says it has dispatched a team to the crash site in the province of Vercelli. ANSV said the aircraft was destroyed in the crash. Images in local media show one of the AW609’s proprotors and engine nacelles in flames on the ground.

The AW609 is AgustaWestland's most ambitious project intended to compete with the American V22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.