What happened
While performing a flight from Athens to Naples, the crew of the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure involving a runaway propeller on one of the engines. As the situation developed over Botricello, 15 passengers and the radio operator exited the aircraft via parachute. The remaining crew members, including the pilots and the engineer, attempted to reach a nearby emergency landing strip but were unable to reach the designated field.
To avoid a more catastrophic impact, the crew executed an emergency landing on a beach. Although the airframe remained intact upon initial contact with the sand, the slope of the beach caused the plane to slide into the ocean. The aircraft eventually settled in approximately 10 feet of water. The crew members managed to escape through the astrodome hatch and successfully swam to the shoreline.
Findings
- The primary mechanical issue was a runaway propeller on one engine.
- The uneven terrain of the beach led to the aircraft veering into the surf.
- The structural integrity of the plane was lost overnight as the incoming tide destroyed the wreckage.
- Contrary to various reports, the aircraft was not repaired or returned to service following the incident.