What happened
On September 28, 2003, a Robin DR 400-180, registration F-GORO, departed Venice Lido for a transfer flight to Cannes, France. The aircraft was part of a group of 11 aircraft flying the same route under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). On board were the pilot and two passengers, one of whom was also a licensed pilot.
The flight proceeded normally until approximately 10:15 UTC, when the crew reported their position near the Voghera VOR, heading southwest toward Albenga. Following this communication, the aircraft disappeared from radio contact. The following morning, wreckage was discovered on a mountainside at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters on the northern slope of Pre Barrà, part of the Monte Beiuga massif. All three occupants were found deceased. An intense fire had broken out upon impact, destroying much of the wooden and fabric structure of the aircraft.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the wreckage, flight logs, and meteorological data. Physical evidence at the site suggested the aircraft was in a stable cruise attitude at the time of impact. The propeller showed clear signs of rotation and power at the moment of collision, supported by the discovery of a deceased animal near the impact site that had been struck by the propeller.
Technical inspections of the flight controls confirmed they were intact and functional. The engine and propeller components showed no signs of mechanical failure. The pilot's medical and licensing records were found to be in order, and an autopsy revealed no evidence of sudden illness or impairment due to alcohol or drugs.
Meteorological analysis indicated that while the weather was clear near the departure point, significant deterioration was occurring in the western sector. Heavy cloud cover and rain were moving into the region, specifically impacting the Ligurian mountains.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in an area where low clouds and heavy precipitation were rapidly intensifying.
- The pilot likely encountered clouds enveloping the mountain peaks, leading to a loss of visual reference.
- The primary cause of the accident was Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) resulting from a loss of situational awareness due to adverse weather conditions.