Flight History
On 19 August 2002, at 10:00 local time, the pilot departed from Bad-Durkheim Airport in Germany aboard a Cessna F 172 M, registration D-EFIN, with two passengers. The intended destination was Siena, Italy. The flight included intermediate stops. The first stop was at Leutnrch, Germany, where the aircraft landed after about one hour and refueled. The aircraft had an endurance of approximately five hours.
Departing Leutnrch at 12:30 local time for Italy, the pilot initially planned to land at Verona Boscomantico. Shortly after departure, Innsbruck Tower informed the pilot that Verona Boscomantico was closed on Mondays. The pilot then diverted to Trento, landing at 12:30 UTC. At Trento, the pilot and passengers visited the control tower to file a VFR flight plan to Siena. According to the pilot, two persons in the tower suggested landing at Arezzo instead, as it was closer to their intended destination. The pilot, referencing an AIP publication, noted that Arezzo was open only to local traffic. One of the tower personnel stated that the AIP was outdated and that a flight plan for Arezzo was not required. The pilot then modified the flight plan from Siena (LIQS) to Arezzo (LIQB).
The aircraft departed Trento at approximately 13:15 UTC for Arezzo, flying under visual flight rules. The pilot reported contacting Garda Approach, Milano Information, Romagna Approach, and Pisa Approach during the flight.
The Accident
Upon arrival near Arezzo Airport, the pilot conducted an aerial reconnaissance. Arezzo Airport has a grass runway measuring 750 by 70 meters, marked by white cones spaced 50 meters apart, with orientation 120°/300° (runways 12/30). Deciding to land on runway 12 to avoid sun glare, the pilot initiated the approach. According to a witness, the aircraft touched down beyond the midpoint of the runway. Believing the landing distance insufficient, the pilot elected to perform a go-around for safety reasons. Shortly after clearing the airport perimeter fence, the aircraft crashed, sustaining serious damage.
Aftermath
The three occupants — the pilot and two passengers (one of whom held a pilot license) — evacuated the aircraft unaided. Firefighters from Arezzo Airport, equipped with metal-cutting tools, responded to the scene. The accident occurred at 15:50 UTC on 19 August 2002, in the vicinity of Arezzo Airport.