Confidence in AB139 high despite crash

Despite the fatal loss of one of its prototypes, Agusta and program partner Bell Helicopter are confident of the success of the AB139 and recently celebrated the flight of the first production-configured unit. A second production model is in the final stages of assembly and work has begun on a third. Agusta officials and the Italian government have declined to comment on the April 22 loss of the first AB139 prototype that claimed the life of a flight test engineer.