QUESTION:
Could the aircraft crash?  What would happen if it did?  Are there
special safety precautions taken for this project?

ANSWER from Bill Hoss on May 12:
Modern jet aircraft like the KAO are built with very high standards of
material and workmanship. These levels have made the KAO and others like it
very safe to operate. However, nothing is perfect. The KAO is capable of
crashing just like any other airplane and the results would be similar. To
preclude this from happening, the staff and crew of the KAO undergo extensive
training on a periodic basis. The training includes flight, flight simulation,
ground emergency and water emergency. We feel we have made the KAO as safe as
possible or we wouldn't fly on it!
Bill Hoss, NASA KAO/project crew