Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, DC                     Oct. 1, 1999
(Phone:  202/358-1979)

Leslie Williams
Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
(Phone:  805/258-2663)

RELEASE:  99-115

PERSEUS B DAMAGED IN CRASH ON CALFORNIA HIGHWAY

    The Perseus B remotely piloted research aircraft was
moderately damaged when it crashed this morning near Barstow, CA,
during a flight from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center,
Edwards, CA.

    There was no property damage, no fire or injuries on the
ground as a result of the accident.  The cause is not yet known.
The aircraft came down in the westbound lanes of Interstate 40
about 4 miles east of Barstow.

    The propeller-driven aircraft had been flying for about two
hours and 15 minutes when the accident occurred about 11:45 a.m.
EDT.  The flight was being conducted from Edwards Air Force Base
under the guidance of ground-based mission controllers from
Aurora Flight Sciences, Inc., of Manassas, VA, the plane's
builder and operator.  The aircraft was not carrying a payload.

    An accident investigation team has been formed by Dryden
flight safety officials to determine the exact cause of the
mishap, with assistance from Aurora Flight Sciences operations
staff.

    The Perseus B, a developmental vehicle designed to operate at
high altitudes for extended periods on scientific sampling
missions, is one of several aircraft being evaluated by NASA
under the Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology
program.  The aircraft can be operated remotely from a ground
station or navigate autonomously along a pre-programmed flight
path.

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