What happened
On August 12, 2010, at approximately 0600 UTC, a Robinson R44, registration I-KOST, was performing a personal flight departing from a private field at Milazzo, Salina Island, Italy. The helicopter, operated by Intesa Leasing, Rent and Fly, struck a building and the ground during the takeoff phase of the flight.
At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions (VMC) were in effect. No flight plan had been filed for the flight. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft. There were 4 fatalities involving the pilot and three passengers.