'Flying' Frenchman fails to cross English Channel

Thursday, 25 July 2019 13:48

Franky Zapata stands on his jet-powered "flyboard" as he takes off from Sangatte [DENIS CHARLET / AFP]

A Frenchman has failed in his attempt to cross the English Channel on a jet-powered hoverboard.

Franky Zapata attempted the journey from Sangatte (France), hoping to reach Dover (England) in about 20 minutes, flying at up to 140 kph at an altitude of 15 to 20 metres.

But his team says he missed a landing platform mounted on a boat, where he was due to refuel.

The former jetski champion made the hoverboard himself using five small jet engines.

Zapata was making his attempt on the 110th anniversary of the first powered flight between Britain and France.

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