5 fatalities

Cargo Flight Strikes Mount Velino During Night Approach, All Five Crew Killed (I-DIMO)

Mt Velino, ItalyFlight

On March 8, 1962, a Douglas DC-6 (registration I-DIMO) operated by Società Aerea Mediterranea - SAM was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Velino, Italy in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by a premature descent on the part of the crew. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine cargo aircraft on a flight from Khartoum to Rome-Ciampino struck the slope of Mount Velino at night, killing all five crew members. Investigators determined a premature descent caused the accident.

Accident

A four-engine cargo aircraft operating a scheduled cargo flight from Khartoum, Sudan, to Rome-Ciampino Airport, Italy, struck the slope of Mount Velino during a night approach from the east. The impact occurred at an altitude of 7,700 feet, approximately 14 kilometers north of the town of Avezzano. The wreckage was located 125 meters below the summit of the mountain.

All five crew members on board were killed in the accident. The crew was identified as Salvatore Di Gaetano and four others (the source lists "Crew: Salvatore Di Gaetano 4", which is interpreted as five total).

Investigation

The official investigation into the accident concluded that the probable cause was a premature descent initiated by the crew. No other factors were cited in the findings.

Location and Aircraft

The accident site is on Mount Velino, a peak in the Apennine Mountains. The aircraft was a four-engine type, but no further details about its make, model, or registration were provided in the source. The flight originated in Khartoum and was destined for Rome-Ciampino Airport.