Hi guys,

I know this is a few days old but unfortunately i've been really busy with my wife as she's not been very well lately.

UFOs have been ruled out in the hunt for what caused the mysterious severance of huge wind turbine blade, experts said today.

The wind farm at Conisholme, Lincolnshire, became world famous last month after it was claimed the loss of one 72ft blade and serious damage to another was caused by a UFO.

The 213ft turbine was wrecked in the incident, and the severed blade left lying on the ground below.

Local residents reported seeing a bright light on the morning it happened, prompting speculation that a UFO caused the damage.

But today investigators said they had ruled out any aircraft - including a UFO - as a cause of the damage.

Wind farm operator Ecotricity said it could have been caused by "material fatigue".

A statement from the company said: "Following several weeks of forensic examination of the turbine's components the manufacturer, Enercon, has today ruled out 'collision' as a possible cause.

"An interim report has concluded that bolts securing the blade to the hub of the turbine failed due to 'material fatigue'."

The statement said bolts that attached the blade to the turbine hub showed "classic signs" of fatigue.

Today's report backs up the view of Fraser McLachlan, chief executive of GCube, which insures more than 25,000 wind turbines worldwide.

After the incident last month he said it could be due to mechanical failure, which happened about five or six times a year.

He said: "The main reason is the blade may shear. We don't normally see things like aircraft - or UFOs - hitting them."

SOURCE: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?U...8&in_page_id=34