Michael Dacre -British test pilot dies after crashing own prototype plane on first flight | Mail Online
British test pilot dies after crashing own prototype 'flying taxi' on first flight
By Richard Shears
Last updated at 12:19 PM on 17th August 2009
A British aviation pioneer died in a horrific ball of flame yesterday when the aircraft he had invented plunged to earth on its first test flight.
Mr Michael Dacre, 53, managing director of the British-based company Avcen Ltd, took to the air 150 miles north of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in his eight-seater 'flying taxi' which he hoped would become commercially available next year.
The plane was being developed to take off and land in short distances, which it hoped would allow runways to be built closer to city centres.
British test pilot dies after crashing own prototype 'flying taxi' on first flight
By Richard Shears
Last updated at 12:19 PM on 17th August 2009
A British aviation pioneer died in a horrific ball of flame yesterday when the aircraft he had invented plunged to earth on its first test flight.
Mr Michael Dacre, 53, managing director of the British-based company Avcen Ltd, took to the air 150 miles north of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in his eight-seater 'flying taxi' which he hoped would become commercially available next year.
The plane was being developed to take off and land in short distances, which it hoped would allow runways to be built closer to city centres.