Overview

• Franky Zapata launched his self-built, multi-rotor Airscooter from Sangatte near Calais on July 25 aiming to reach Dover’s chalk cliffs before returning
• About 15 minutes into the flight a motor failure forced him to abort and the craft plunged into the water
• Rescue boats reached Zapata unharmed and later retrieved the submerged vehicle for technical analysis
• The mishap highlights persistent engineering and safety hurdles in pioneering personal-flight devices
• Zapata, who first crossed the Channel in 2019 on a jet-powered board, has not announced another crossing attempt