Accident Details
A twin-engine aircraft was conducting an en route flight when it encountered severe icing conditions in the atmosphere. The pilot in command, General Giuseppe Gaeta, directed the sole passenger, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Magnanini, to bail out from the aircraft. Despite this order, all three crew members—General Gaeta, Lieutenant Alvise Andrich, and Maresciallo Giulio Trintinaglia—remained seated in the cabin. The aircraft continued its flight and ultimately crashed into a field located near the town of Sulmona. The collision with terrain resulted in the deaths of all three crew members. The passenger, Lieutenant Colonel Magnanini, also perished in the accident.
Crew and Passenger Manifest
The flight crew consisted of three individuals:
- General Giuseppe Gaeta, the pilot.
- Lieutenant Alvise Andrich.
- Maresciallo Giulio Trintinaglia.
The sole passenger aboard the aircraft was Lieutenant Colonel Mario Magnanini.
Investigation and Findings
The official investigation into the accident identified the probable cause as icing conditions. The investigation determined that the aircraft encountered severe icing during the flight, which led to the crash. No other causal factors were cited in the findings.