Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon in Vaccarizzo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1954 at 0930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Harpoon

Operator:

Registration:

MM80065

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sigonella - Sigonella

MSN:

15-1479

YOM:

1944

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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.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon into the Ionian Sea: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1954 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Harpoon

Operator:

Registration:

MM80059

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Catania - Catania

MSN:

15-1591

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The crew was completing a training mission over the Ionian Sea when an engine failed in flight. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea about 72 km east of Punta Stilo, Calabria. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Breda-Zappata B.Z.308 in Mogadishu

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1954

Type of aircraft:

Breda-Zappata B.Z.308

Operator:

Registration:

MM61802

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Rome – Mogadiscio

MSN:

YOM:

1948

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After landing, the four engine aircraft collided with a cement truck and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was stored at Mogadishu Airport, not repaired and later scrapped. It was registered MM61802 (SM-5) and previously I-BREZ under civil registry.

Probable cause:

Collision with a ground vehicle after landing.

Crash of a Fiat G.212 in Rome

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1953 at 1235 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fiat G.212

Operator:

Registration:

MM61637

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Rome - Rome

MSN:

YOM:

1948

Location:

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The crew was performing a local training flight at Rome-Centocelle Airport. On final, he decided to make a go around because another small plane was approaching the same airport. Doing so, the three engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a sandy area short of runway and eventually collided with a dyke. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor in Valmontone

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1953

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Registration:

MM61651

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

8418

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew (two pilots and two engineers) were completing a post maintenance test flight. En route, both engines failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in Valmontone. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 in Milan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1953

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti SM.82

Operator:

Registration:

MM61197

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

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Shortly after takeoff from Milan-Malpensa Airport, while in initial climb, the three engine aircraft went out of control and crashed, killing all four crew members.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left wing shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Fiat G.212 in Rome

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1953

Type of aircraft:

Fiat G.212

Operator:

Registration:

MM61772

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

YOM:

1948

Location:

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Region:

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While approaching Rome-Urbe Airport, the aircraft suffered engine problems. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing in a wasteland. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine problems on approach.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor near Sprigno Saturnia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1952 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Registration:

MM61691

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Naples – Guidonia

MSN:

7958

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of the Mt Canale dello Stretto located near Sprigno Saturnia, killing both crew members.
Crew:
Cpt Ugo Filosa, pilot,
Mot Luigi Feroci, copilot.

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:

Country:

Region:

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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.