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Jetman Africa-Europe flight fails Jetman Africa-Europe flight fails
(31 minutes later)
A Swiss man has failed in his bid to become the first person to fly solo across the Strait of Gibraltar using a single jet-propelled wing. A Swiss man has failed in his attempt to become the first person to fly solo across the Strait of Gibraltar using a single jet-propelled wing.
Yves Rossy ditched into the water and had to be rescued after he set off from above Tangier in Morocco. Yves Rossy, known as Jetman, ditched in the water and was rescued minutes after setting off from above Morocco.
It is not known what went wrong with 50-year-old Mr Rossy's attempt to make the 38km (23 mile) crossing.It is not known what went wrong with 50-year-old Mr Rossy's attempt to make the 38km (23 mile) crossing.
The former fighter pilot had planned to cut his engines, open his parachute and land in Spain after a 13-minute flight. In September 2008 he became the first person to cross the Channel using a jet-powered wing.
Mr Rossy, known as Jetman, made headlines in September 2008 when he became the first person to cross the Channel between France and Britain using a jet-powered wing. Wednesday's flight had been billed as the first crossing of its kind over the north Atlantic between Africa and Europe.
Wednesday's attempt to fly from Africa to Europe had appeared to begin well as he launched himself from a plane over Morocco, live TV images showed. It appeared to begin well as Mr Rossy launched himself from a small plane above Tangier in Morocco.
But within minutes it was clear all was not well and Mr Rossy ended up in the waters of the strait. He was rescued quickly and appeared safe and well despite his plunge. 'Difficult' winds
The former fighter pilot had planned to cut his engines, open a parachute and land in Atlanterra, southern Spain, after a 13-minute flight.
But within minutes it was clear all was not well and Mr Rossy plunged into the sea.
He was safe and well but had been taken to hospital as a precaution, said organisers.
It is not known what caused the failure, but organisers said on the social networking website Twitter: "Winds were certainly difficult today."
Before setting off, Mr Rossy had said the main dangers were engine failure and losing control of the wing.
His carbon-fibre jet-propelled wing, with a span of more than 2m (6ft 6in), is capable of speeds of 220 km/h (138 mph).