Abruzzo | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed Pescara-Liberi Airport at 1719LT on a fire fighting mission in the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park under callsign CAN19. While approaching the area under fire, the aircraft initiated a slight turn to the right when it collided with the top of a hill and disintegrated, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 1,155 metres near Acciano. While the copilot was seriously injured, the captain was killed.

Probable cause:

Even if it was not possible to define with certainty why the aircraft impacted against the ground, it is nevertheless considered reasonable that the impact occurred as a result of improper management of the manoeuvre by the crew, the result of an inadequate assessment by the crew of the flight altitude with respect to the top of the hill and the critical environmental conditions, characterized by the presence of strong turbulence, strong wind and visibility affected by the presence of smoke. (The cause of the accident would therefore be substantially due to human and environmental factors).

Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP near Rocca di Mezzo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2002 at 1339 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Svedijos Prekes

Registration:

LY-AVD

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Budapest - Tunis

MSN:

1G137-53

YOM:

1972

Flight number:

SJK2801

Location:

Country:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Budapest-Ferihegy Airport at 0829LT on a VFR flight to Tunis. According to the flight plan the aircraft would fly over Split, Pescara, crossing the Apennines towards Ostia and then onwards to Tunis. Weather conditions over the central part of Italy were poor with a cold front associated with thunderstorm activity, low clouds and icing conditions. After passing over the Adriatic sea, the aircraft overflew Pescara at 1320LT where the pilot informed ATC that the aircraft was inbound Aneda (a reporting point 19 NM East of Monte Rotondo) at a cruising altitude of 5.500 feet. While in vicinity of Pescara, ATC requested and obtained confirmation from the crew that he was able to continue under VFR mode. Shortly later, at a speed of 115 knots, the single engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Rotondo (1.880 metres high) located near Rocca di Mezzo. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Analysis of available evidence make it reasonable to classify the event investigated as an unintentional terrain impact, Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). At accident time, because of the reduced visibility, incompatible with VFR flying, the crew could not evaluate correctly the orography of the area along there route. It has to be noted that it was not possible to ascertain if adequate maps were available to the crew showing the exact position of ground relief and obstacles. It was not possible to determine if the pilots had flown across the same area in the past. Given the meteorological conditions over the area, the crew did not conform to the Visual Flying Rules that mandated for a track change to maintain the required flight parameters (visibility/clearance from obstacles) and/or a diversion to a suitable alternate airport (as international rules mandate).
Contributing factors:
Analysis of available evidence suggests that the following may be considered as contributory factors to the accident. The prevailing meteorological conditions existing on March 9, 2002 over the flight path of LY-AVD across the central part of Italy did not allow for the flight to be continued under VFR. The Antonov AN-2 was not fit for flying in low visibility (IMC) and was not equipped for flying in icing conditions. The pilot of the LY-AVD did not hold the required English language radio-telephony (RT) qualification to operate outside the country of licensing. The pilot of the LY-AVD did not hold an IFR qualification (for flying in IMC).

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo C near Pescara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

G-NAVO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

31-8212031

YOM:

1982

Location:

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Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful cargo flight to Pescara, the crew was returning to UK. Few minutes after takeoff from Pescara Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed, killing both occupants.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B on Mt Velino: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1962 at 2300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

I-DIMO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Khartoum – Rome

MSN:

44254

YOM:

1954

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Khartoum to Rome-Ciampino Airport and started the approach by night from the east. At an altitude of 7,700 feet, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Velino located 14 km north of Avezzano. The wreckage was found 125 meters below the summit and all five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Salvatore Di Gaetano 4.

Probable cause:

It is believed the accident was caused by a premature descent on part of the crew.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor in Sulmona: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1951 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Registration:

MM61706

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lecce – Guidonia

MSN:

7815

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Region:

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Crew fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft encountered severe icing conditions en route. The pilot Gen Giuseppe Gaeta ordered the passenger Lt Col Mario Maragnini to bail out while all three crew members remained seated in the cabin and were killed when the aircraft crashed in a field located near Sulmona.
Crew:
Gen Giuseppe Gaeta, †
Lt Alvise Andrich, †
Mar Giulio Trintinaglia. †
Passenger:
Lt Col Mario Magnanini.

Probable cause:

Icing.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK Dakota IV near Trigno

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

KN662

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

16615/33363

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Region:

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Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Enroute, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and the crew attempted to make an emergency landing. The aircraft came to rest in a prairie located 8 km west of Trigno. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.