Pilatus chief test pilot Andreas Ramseier was killed in the crash of a prototype of the newly certificated PC-21 advanced trainer last week close to Buochs airfield in Stans, near Lucerne Switzerland.
The PC-21 - the second of two development aircraft - was being test flown on 13 January when it crashed at around 16:39 local time in dry weather conditions, also injuring a person on the ground, say Nidwalden canton police. The PC-21 was certificated by the Swiss civil aviation authority on 30 December 2004. Local reports say Pilatus was preparing the aircraft for the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi next month.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Swiss federal prosecutor's office. Pilatus declines to comment on the accident.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
