Prototype AW609 crash kills two

One of the prototype AgustaWestland AW609 tiltroters has crashed in Italy, killing the two pilots.

The aircraft came down during a regular test flight at Santhia, Vercelli province, Italy.

The Italian air-accident investigation agency (ANSV) say that is the second AW609 built that crashed.

According to the FAAs online database, the second AW609 is registered N609AG, and has a build year of 2003.

A statement issued on the company’s website said “Finmeccanica-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.”