This flight was important for a number of reasons, but in no small part because it represented the first controlled, sustained flight complete with human-powered takeoff.

ENGADGET: The Highs and Lows of Human-Powered Flight Alt

Everything that is required to support sustained combat flight operations is available in a single mobile package.

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That, and improving efficiency really made human powered-flight move from sustained hops and skips to the international crossings of the Albatross.

ENGADGET: The Highs and Lows of Human-Powered Flight Alt

"Whilst our investigations are ongoing and we are still appealing for passengers on this flight who saw this incident to come forward, Mr Betondi appears to have sustained very serious injuries during this removal attempt, " Mr Mitchell said.

BBC: UK