Sigonella NAS

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the engine n°3 exploded. Debris from the engine and the nacelle hit the engine n°4 and penetrated the fuselage as well. The engine n°4 lost power and the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all nine occupants. The aircraft was en route to the island of Diego Garcia via Nairobi, carrying a load of paint.

The aircraft departed Palma de Mallorca Airport on a combined flight to Sigonella NAS with a second USN Grumman C-1A Trader registered 136772. While in cruising altitude some 150 miles east of the Balearic Islands, both aircraft collided in unknown circumstances and crashed in the Mediterranean Sea. Some debris were found floating on water but no trace of the seven crew members (four in 136753 and three on board 136772) was found.

The aircraft departed Palma de Mallorca Airport on a combined flight to Sigonella NAS with a second USN Grumman C-1A Trader registered 136772. While in cruising altitude some 150 miles east of the Balearic Islands, both aircraft collided in unknown circumstances and crashed in the Mediterranean Sea. Some debris were found floating on water but no trace of the seven crew members (four in 136753 and three on board 136772) was found.

The crew was returning to Sigonella NAS following a fire fighting mission. While completing a turn on approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in Misterbianco, west of Catania. A pilot was seriously injured while the second occupant was killed.

The crew reported his position to Naples ATC at 1400LT en route to Sigonella NAS near Catania, Sicily. Later, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Ionian Sea off Catania. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was found.

Shortly after takeoff from Sigonella NAS, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed near the runway end. A crew member was seriously injured while three others were killed.
Crew:
Lt Giovanni Attanasio, †
Lt Carmello Basile, †
Salvatore Mantella, †
Sgt Angelo Pozzi.

The crew departed Sigonella Airbase for a local training mission when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea southeast of Syracuse. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Claudio Martinelli,
Lt Rino Meini.

The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in the center of Sicily. As the mission was over, the crew was returning to his base at Sigonella NAS when, cruising by night at an insufficient altitude, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near the village of Valguarnera. The wreckage was found few hours later and both pilots were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Giancario Napolitano,
1st Lt Arnaldo Pala.

The crew (87th Squadron) was completing a local training sortie from Sigonella NAS. In unclear circumstances, the Harpoon collided in flight with a second Italian Air Force Harpoon registered MM80065 and carrying a crew of four. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in Vaccarizzo, about 15 km south of Catania. The debris were found in a wasteland located less than a km from the beach. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine crew members were killed.

The crew (87th Squadron) was completing a local training sortie from Sigonella NAS. In unclear circumstances, the Harpoon collided in flight with a second Italian Air Force Harpoon registered MM80061 and carrying a crew of five. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in Vaccarizzo, about 15 km south of Catania. The debris were found in a wasteland located less than a km from the beach. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine crew members were killed.